added an alloy 500cc top-end sourced from left-over wartime generator engines . The alloy top-ends suited the purpose well , offering lighter weight and assisting cooling .
ISDT SUCCESS The ‘ 48 ISDT was held in San Remo , Italy . It would be remembered as the toughest yet held and also for the comprehensive victory by the Triumph team . The three Speed Twins won a brace of Gold Medals , the Team Vase and one of the two Trophies for manufacturers ’ teams , success that would be repeated for the next three years running . Triumph also saw the potential for a production version and the Trophy model
series was born , gaining the evocative name in recognition of the company ’ s ISDT success . The TR5 was designed to give club racers a bike to ride to work all week , then , with minimal preparation , race in weekend events . It would also meet demand from the power-hungry American market , where vast swathes of uninhabited land tempted weekend racers and the new sports of enduro and desert racing were attracting large fields of entries .
DESERT RACER Britain needed those export earnings from the US market to pay for its massive post-war deficit , but 350ccs would not
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