1971 Triumph T100R Daytona

1971 TRIUMPH T100R DAYTONA BACKGROUND
The Daytona became Triumph’s top-of-the-line 500 twin. The “Daytona” name came from Triumph’s 500cc racing successes at Daytona in 1966 and again in 1967. The first use of the name on a production bike was for the 1966 model year. Like it’s big brother, the 650 Bonneville, the Daytona had two carburetors, higher compression and a wilder set of cams than the standard 500s. The top-line model was the Daytona T100SS at launch, but it was quickly eclipsed by the faster T100R (for the US market) and T100T (for the UK and everyone else). Upgraded to twin Amal Concentric carbs in 1968, they were noticeably faster than the SS. In 1969, Triumph began oiling the crankshaft the same way as the 650s, through the right-end of the crank. Very little engine development followed. In 1971, the Daytona benefitted slightly from the upgrade of bodywork and hardware on the new 650s, but retained most of their 60s-era running gear. Triumph 500 production (all models) ended in 1974, brought to an abrupt halt when the Triumph factory workers staged a sit-down/lock-out strike of the Meriden factory in 1973. For all the gory details on this debacle that ultimately killed Triumph, read the book Save the Triumph Bonneville: The Inside Story of the Meriden Workers’ Co-op, written by John Rosamond, who started as a welder on the assembly line and ended up running the whole show. It’s a very good read.

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1971 Triumph T100R Daytona SPECIFICATIONS