Son of a beach
It wasn’t the best day for it – a wet morning in the middle of a dry summer. But schedules had to be stuck to, and Chris Brasier, keeper of this 1972 reimported-from-the-States 500cc Triumph T100R Daytona, was up for the road test, despite the Triumph’s smart finish. Though we both agreed there would be no heroics.
And the Daytona did not disappoint. Starting second kick, there was an immediate glorious rasping roar from the traditional straight-through silencers. US models had retained these, while from 1971, UK and general export versions had fitted slightly more restrictive tapered conical ones as on the 650s, to help meet noise legislation.
Right from the get-go, moving off, the warmed-up engine felt extremely willing, immediately providing thrilling acceleration throughout the range. The clutch required a firm pull and engaged early but with American Mapp plates fitted, which I’d never experienced until then, there was no hint of slip or drag to temper the fun.
Street sleeper
The hidden factor in the unit 500’s go was the machine’s light weight. At just 338lb dry and with 39bhp@7200rpm on tap, it offered a great power-to-weight ratio, when 1972’s T120 Bonneville was nearly 50lb heavier, and 650s like the 1970 TR6 Tiger produced just one horsepower more. In the early 1970s the twin carb T100 was a bit of a street sleeper, overlooked commercially in favour of 650s and 750s, but punching well above its weight, and on the street capable of embarrassing larger
