American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association

Updated 3/20/07

Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd. and AHRMA enter third season featuring the Triumph Thruxton 900

The Triumph Thruxton 900 is a modern interpretation of the classic café racers of the past. Drawing on Triumph’s steep racing heritage, the motorcycle and its classic silhouette reach back to the evolution of purpose-built sport bikes and the era of the café racer. With its clip-on handlebars and rearset footpegs, the Thruxton 900 is perfectly suited to spec class roadracing. The Thruxton features an 865cc air-cooled twin-cylinder power plant. Peak power output of 69 hp is delivered at 7,250 rpm and peak torque of 53 ft. lbs. arrives at 5,750 rpm. The precisely crafted chassis inspires confidence with preload-adjustable 41mm telescopic forks, sharp steering geometry, and a fully floating 320mm front disc with twin-piston brake caliper in a tubular steel twin-cradle frame.

Now in its fourth season, the Thruxton Challenge has proven to be an exciting addition to the AHRMA roadrace program, featuring close competition and attracting a variety of racing legends as participants. Doug Polen rode a Thruxton at AHRMA's Daytona 2005 event, and Gary Nixon and Jay Springsteen were regulars in the series.

Jeff Hinds competing in the Thruxton Cup Challenge at Pennsylvania's BeaveRun Motorsports Complex. (Matt Benson photo)Incentives

Interested in giving it a try? Triumph Motorcycles will continue to offer a special rebate program for series competitors. AHRMA license holders purchasing a new Thruxton 900 for this race series will receive an $800 rebate directly from Triumph.

Triumph and AHRMA also will again post a $4,500 points fund for the 2006 season. The series champion will earn a check for $2,000, while the second-place finisher will receive $1,000; third, $750; fourth, $500 and fifth, $250.

Guest racer Triumph has been inviting journalists to give the Thruxton Cup Challenge a try on the company's two "factory" bikes at the various AHRMA roadraces. Mike Emery, editor of the website 2WF.com, raced Thruxton #23 at Mid-Ohio during the July 15-17 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, and you can read about his experience here.

A rider must compete in at least two rounds to qualify for the prize fund, and your best 10 finishes will count. The payout will occur at the 2006 Roadrace Awards Banquet in conjunction with AHRMA's 2007 Daytona events.

Technical requirements

The Triumph Thruxton Cup Challenge will follow the Supersport rules adopted by AHRMA and contained in the 2005 rulebook under section 10.11.1 with the following exceptions as noted below:

1) Stock fuel tank, sidecovers, seat cowl and fenders must be retained. Fuel tank must have the stock Triumph badges affixed to it. An oil containment pan, as detailed in rulebook section 9.3f, is required. No additional fairings, bodywork, streamlining or ducting may be added. Note: Triumph's accessory flyscreen is permitted, as is the Sharkskinz replacement flyscreen (see below).2) Stock headlight shell must be retained.3) Stock gauges must be retained. Speedometer may be removed.4) Absolutely no modifications are allowed to the frame except to mount a steering damper if desired.5) Absolutely no modifications are allowed to the engine other than multi-angle or radius valve jobs. Spark plugs, clutch plates, clutch springs and oil filters may be replaced. Exhaust and jetting changes are allowed (see Supersport rules above). Secondary air system may be removed.6) Stock seat pan must be retained, although the padding and/or covering may be modified.7) All motorcycles to use three white 10x12-inch number plates with black numbers.8) Brake master cylinder must remain stock. Lever may be replaced.9) Wiring harness may not be cut, altered or modified in any way. Stock ignition and key must be used.10) Stock wheels must be retained.11) Treaded racing tires required. No slicks or hand-cut slicks allowed. Rain tires may be used.

12) Inner rear fender may be removed.

Thruxton rules clarifications (posted 4/19/05)

After the season’s first two events—Kershaw and Daytona—is has become obvious that certain rules pertaining to the Triumph Thruxton Cup Challenge need clarification. In particular:1) The airbox must remain in place.2) The headlight shell must be in its normal position.3) The stock CDI box must be used. No internal modifications are allowed.4) The front fender must remain in place.5) Clip-on handlebars are allowed.6) Tire warmers are permitted.

If you have questions about any other aspect of the Thruxton class rules, please contact the national office and we’ll get an answer for you.

It is very important to understand that if the rules do not specifically say you may change it, you may not.

Machines must meet all of AHRMA's routine tech-inspection standards, including the safety wire requirements in section 9.4 of the rulebook (see link below). Additionally, it is recommended that brake lights, turn signals and reflectors be removed.If you have further questions or need clarification on these rules, contact the national office or the SOS/BOT/SOT rules committee members.The Thruxton is eligible for Battle of Twins Formula 2, and it would also be possible to compete in F-1 and Sound of Thunder.For more information on this series, please contact Triumph Motorcycles (America), Ltd. at marketing@triumphmotorcycles.com. Information about the Thruxton and other new Triumphs is at www.triumphmotorcycles.com. Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Triumph Motorcycles, Ltd, a manufacturer of Triumph motorcycles and accessories. Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd., is located in Newnan, Ga., and services the Triumph dealer organization throughout the United States, Canada and Latin America.

Visit AHRMA's on-line rulebook

Triumph Thruxton 900 Specifications

Engine
Type	Air-cooled, DOHC, parallel-twin, 360 degree firing interval
Capacity	865cc
Bore/Stroke	90 x 68mm
Compression Ratio	9.2:1
Fuel System	Twin carburetors with throttle position sensor and electric carburetor heaters
Ignition	Digital - inductive type
Transmission
Primary Drive	Gear
Final Drive	X ring chain
Clutch	Wet, multi-plate
Gearbox	5-speed
Cycle Parts
Frame	Tubular steel cradle
Swingarm	Twin-sided, tubular steel
Front Wheel	36-spoke, 18 x 2.5in
Rear Wheel	40-spoke, 17 x 3.5in
Front Tire	100/90 18
Rear Tire	130/80 R17
Front Suspension	41mm forks with adjustable preload
Rear Suspension	Chromed spring twin shocks with adjustable preload
Front Brake	Single 320mm floating disc, 2 piston caliper
Rear Brake	Single 255mm disc, 2 piston caliper
Dimensions
Length	2150mm (84.6in)
Width (Handlebars)	695mm (27.4in)
Height	1095mm (43.1in)
Seat Height	790mm (31.1in)
Wheelbase	1490mm (56.7in)
Rake/Trail	27 degree/97mm
Weight (Dry)	205kg (451lbs)
Performance (measured at crankshaft to DIN 70020)
Maximum Power	70PS (69bhp) at 7,250 rpm
Maximum Torque	72Nm (53ft.lbf) at 5,750 rpm
Colors	Jet Black/Silver, Racing Yellow/Silver, Caspian Blue/Silver
Price	$7,999 MSRP

Thruxton parts vendors and special programsAxljak Racing Products offers the following fabricated race parts for the Thruxton: Rearsets, MSRP $375; front frame sliders, $175; rear nub sliders, $30; and damper mounting kit, $75. Information: 978-422-8790 or www.axljak.com. D&D Thruxton program. D&D is offering participants in the Triumph Thruxton Cup Challenge a deal on exhaust systems for their machine. If you provide D&D with copies of one of your Thruxton Challenge entry forms and your AHRMA racing license, they will sell you an exhaust system for your Triumph Thruxton 900 at dealer cost. If an exhaust purchased through the program is damaged and you want to buy a replacement, you must return the old unit. Contact D&D at 817-834-0996 or danddexhaust@msn.

Sharkskinz flyscreen. Bodywork maker Sharkskinz has developed a very nice flyscreen for the Triumph Thruxton 900 that replaces the standard flyscreen/headlight while still retaining the original lines of the machine. The piece is priced at $85. For information, visit the Sharkskinz website or call 772-388-9621.

Thruxton race tires. Avon Tyres announces that race spec tires are available for use in the Triumph Thruxton Cup Challenge series. Since the class dictates the use of OEM wheels, race rubber can be difficult to find. Avon now has the popular AM22 and AM23 “Race Only” tires available to racers through a few select distributors nationwide. These are non-DOT and are for closed-course competition use only. The front tire is the AM22 110/80VB18 designed for use on a 2.5-inch rim and the rear is the AM23 130/80VB17 (right) for use on a 3.5-inch rim. Racers should have their local dealer contact any of these distributors for purchase:

• Tucker Rocky, 800-347-1010 Hap Jones, 800-538-6833 Performance Tire, 800-523-2542 KK Motorcycle Supply, 800-543-9638 Dixie International, 800-848-6476

• At least one dealer, Moto Britalia (877-531-3017), keeps the Thruxton-suitable Avons in stock. And be sure to check with Bob Barker at R.C. Barker Engineering (352-378-3715).