Slippery Sam
Encyclopedia
Slippery Sam is a British production class racing motorcycle that used a tuned version of the 750 cc Triumph Trident
ohv (pushrod) three-cylinder engine. The "Slippery Sam" name was acquired during the 1970 Bol d'Or
24 Hour Race in France when a faulty oil-pump covered its rider, Percy Tait
, with engine oil. The machine, which was on display at the National Motorcycle Museum, was destroyed in a fire, but has since been completely rebuilt.
"Slippery Sam" was one of three similar motorcycles that Triumph built for the 1970 Isle of Man Production TT
. The bike was created by the engine's designer, Doug Hele
, who joined with frame expert Rob North to produce the successful works Formula 750 racing machines. One of these was ridden by Malcolm Uphill, won the TT at 97.71 mph (43.7 m/s). "Slippery Sam" won consecutive production TT races at the Isle of Man five years running from 1971 through 1975. Other riders included Mick Grant
; and in 1971 Percy Tait and Ray Pickrell won the 24-hour Bol d'Or
endurance race on a Triumph triple. The motorcycles were prepared for races by Les Williams and his team. (Williams went on to develop the Triumph Legend 964cc
). Bert Hopwood
urged BSA's managers to make a production version of the racing triple, producing 84 bhp at 8,250 rpm – but this suggestion was ignored, partly due to financial concerns.
Further racing development in the USA was carried out at the Duarte, California, facility under Racing Manager Dan Macias. USA BSA/Triumph dealers had access to factory race parts, but due to difficulties in obtaining race frames from the UK, Macias built his own jig and the frames were manufactured by Wenco. The main differences from the factory North frames were TIG welding instead of brazed
, flat plate rear engine mounts instead of built-up formed sheet and 4130 Cro-Mo steel
material. Dick Mann's win at Daytona in 1971 was on a US specification bike.
BSA Rocket 3/Triumph Trident
The BSA Rocket Three / Triumph Trident was the first true modern superbike and the last major motorcycle developed by Triumph Engineering at Meriden. It was badge-engineered to be sold under both the Triumph and BSA marques. The Rocket3 / Trident was part of Triumph's plan to extend the model...
ohv (pushrod) three-cylinder engine. The "Slippery Sam" name was acquired during the 1970 Bol d'Or
Bol d'or
The Bol d'or is a motorcycle endurance race, held annually in France. Originally, it was an automobile as well as motorcycle race. The automobiles were limited to 1100cc engine capacity until the 1950s when the limit was raised to 1500cc, and later to 2000cc...
24 Hour Race in France when a faulty oil-pump covered its rider, Percy Tait
Percy Tait
Percy Tait is a former professional motorcycle road racer and senior road tester for Triumph motorcycles, where he was estimated to have clocked over a million miles of road testing...
, with engine oil. The machine, which was on display at the National Motorcycle Museum, was destroyed in a fire, but has since been completely rebuilt.
"Slippery Sam" was one of three similar motorcycles that Triumph built for the 1970 Isle of Man Production TT
1970 Isle of Man TT
-1970 Isle of Man Production 750 cc TT final standings:5 Laps Mountain Course.-1970 Isle of Man Production 500 cc TT final standings:5 Laps Mountain Course.-1970 Isle of Man Production 250 cc TT final standings:...
. The bike was created by the engine's designer, Doug Hele
Doug Hele
Douglas Lionel Hele was a pioneering British motorcycle engineer with Triumph and other firms: BSA, Douglas and Norton. He was born in Birmingham in 1919 and died in Hagley, Worcestershire on the 2 November 2001.-Career:...
, who joined with frame expert Rob North to produce the successful works Formula 750 racing machines. One of these was ridden by Malcolm Uphill, won the TT at 97.71 mph (43.7 m/s). "Slippery Sam" won consecutive production TT races at the Isle of Man five years running from 1971 through 1975. Other riders included Mick Grant
Mick Grant
Mick Grant is a former professional motorcycle road racer. He is a seven-time winner of the Isle of Man TT motorcycle race on various bikes, including 'Slippery Sam', a three-cylinder Triumph Trident...
; and in 1971 Percy Tait and Ray Pickrell won the 24-hour Bol d'Or
Bol d'or
The Bol d'or is a motorcycle endurance race, held annually in France. Originally, it was an automobile as well as motorcycle race. The automobiles were limited to 1100cc engine capacity until the 1950s when the limit was raised to 1500cc, and later to 2000cc...
endurance race on a Triumph triple. The motorcycles were prepared for races by Les Williams and his team. (Williams went on to develop the Triumph Legend 964cc
Triumph Legend 964cc
The Triumph Legend 964 cc is British motorcycle developed by Les Williams, the former Triumph racing manager, the 'Legend' models were specials, each made after the demise of Triumph at Meriden from parts to specific customer requirements and based on the T160V Triumph Trident three cylinder engine...
). Bert Hopwood
Bert Hopwood
Herbert "Bert" Hopwood was a British motorcycle designer. He helped with some of the most influential designs for the British motorcycle industry and worked for Ariel, Norton, BSA and Triumph.-Motorcycle design career:...
urged BSA's managers to make a production version of the racing triple, producing 84 bhp at 8,250 rpm – but this suggestion was ignored, partly due to financial concerns.
Further racing development in the USA was carried out at the Duarte, California, facility under Racing Manager Dan Macias. USA BSA/Triumph dealers had access to factory race parts, but due to difficulties in obtaining race frames from the UK, Macias built his own jig and the frames were manufactured by Wenco. The main differences from the factory North frames were TIG welding instead of brazed
Brazing
Brazing is a metal-joining process whereby a filler metal is heated above and distributed between two or more close-fitting parts by capillary action. The filler metal is brought slightly above its melting temperature while protected by a suitable atmosphere, usually a flux...
, flat plate rear engine mounts instead of built-up formed sheet and 4130 Cro-Mo steel
41xx steel
41xx steel is a family of SAE steel grades, as specified by the Society of Automotive Engineers . Alloying elements include chromium and molybdenum, and as a result these materials are often referred to as chromoly steel or CRMO...
material. Dick Mann's win at Daytona in 1971 was on a US specification bike.
Specifications
| Engine Engine An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion... |
Three cylinder, four stroke |
| Displacement | 750 cc |
| Bore & Stroke | |
| Valvetrain | twin camshaft ohv (pushrod), 2 valve |
| Compression ratio | |
| Maximum power | 84 bhp at 8,250 rpm |
| Maximum torque | |
| Oil system | Dry sump |
| Cooling system | air cooled |
| Transmission | Five speed |
| Drivetrain | Chain |
| Brakes | Front: twin disc Rear: single disc |
| Dry weight |
External links
- http://www.allenmotorsports.com/sam.htm
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QN4LiBBf9A0&feature=related