1975 870cc Norton-Triumph ‘Trisolastic’ prototype

Norton

1975

850cc

About the 1975 870cc Norton-Triumph ‘Trisolastic’ prototype

This one-off machine was created by fitting an enlarged Triumph T160 Trident three-cylinder engine in a Norton Commando 850 chassis. It was assembled for test purposes in 1975 at the Norton Triumph International research facility in Kitts Green, Birmingham by the technical team working for development engineer Doug Hele. The idea was to discover whether Norton’s patented Isolastic flexible anti-vibration engine mountings would give a smoother ride than the T160 frame with its rigid engine mounts. The ‘Trisolastic’ experiment was not successful, due to the difference in vibration characteristics between the Commando’s 360-degree two-throw crankshaft and the Trident’s 120-degree triple-throw shaft.