1946 Triumph Speed Twin

1946 TRIUMPH SPEED TWIN - IN WAR & PEACE
World War II had been hard on England. British motorcycle manufacturers like Triumph and BSA, did well during the war selling side-valve singles to the Army and lots of other stuff. But, war is hell, right? In 1940, the Germans bombed the Triumph factory. The bad news turned into good news however when the government paid to have a modern new factory built in the Midlands, which became the famous Meriden plant. At war’s end, Triumph quickly ramped up civilian production again and the 1946 Triumph 5T Speed Twin was its best seller. The revenues generated by the Speed Twin lifted Triumph out of the doldrums and put it on the path of financial success.

1946 TRIUMPH SPEED TWIN DESIGN
The 500cc Speed Twin had launched as a 1938 model, but the War quickly intervened. Now that civilian production renewed after the war, the 1946 Speed Twins more or less carried over from the pre-war bikes, with the exception of the front forks. Prior to the war, they used girder-style front forks. Post-war, Triumph fitted their bikes with modern telescopic forks. A huge improvement in both ride and handling, especially under heavy braking. Otherwise, it still used the same old rigid frame, and the engine/gearbox remained unchanged from before. It still used a cast iron cylinder block and head, fed by a single Amal carburetor. The Speed Twin

1946 Triumph Speed Twin SPECIFICATIONS

Model Designation

Engine Number prefix

Engine Type

Displacement

Bore & Stroke

Compression ratio

Carburetor

Engine output

Top Speed

Electrical system

Primary drive

Clutch

Gearbox

Final drive

Frame construction

Suspension, front

Suspension, rear

Brake, front

Brake, rear

Wheel, front

Wheel, rear

Wheelbase

Seat height

Ground clearance

Fuel capacity

Weight

Triumph 5T Speed Twin

46-5T

Air-cooled OHV vertical twin

498cc

63mm X 80mm

6.5:1

one- Amal 15/16"

28 bhp @ 6,000 rpm

85-90 mph

6-volt, Lucas magdyno

Chain

Multi-plate, wet

4-speed constant mesh, right-foot shift

Chain

Steel tube, brazed lug

Telescopic

Rigid

7-inch SLS drum

7-inch SLS drum

3.25" X 19.0"

3.50" X 19.0"

54.0"

29.5"

6.0"

4 Imp gal

361 lbs, dry

MORE SPEED TWIN PAGES:
.....1938
.....1946
.....1947
.....1948
.....1956

MORE TRIUMPH:
Triumph T120 & T140 Bonneville
Triumph TR6
Triumph TR7
Triumph T110 & T110 Tiger
Triumph 6T Thunderbird
Triumph 5T Speed Twin
Triumph T150 & T160 Trident
Triumph X-75 Hurricane

Check out these TRIUMPH BOOKS



Vintage Motorcycle Calendar - Classic Motorcycle Calendar - Calendars 2018 - 2019 Wall Calendars - Motorcycle Calendar - Classic British Motorbikes 16 Month Wall Calendar by Avonside


Triumph Motorcycles: The art of the motorcycle


The Complete Book of Classic and Modern Triumph Motorcycles 1937-Today (Complete Book Series)


Triumph Motorcycles: From Speed-Twin to Bonneville


Triumph Bonneville and TR6 Motorcycle Restoration Guide: 1956-83


British Motorcycles Triumph (Little Books)


Triumph Motorcycles in America


McQueen's Motorcycles: Racing and Riding with the King of Cool


Triumph Motorcycle Restoration


Illustrated Triumph Motorcycles Buyer's Guide: From 1945 Through the Latest Models (Illustrated Buyer's Guide)


Tales of Triumph Motorcycles and the Meriden Factory


Hinckley Triumphs: The First Generation (Crowood Motoclassic)

For more like these, visit our

TRIUMPH BOOK STORE




Travelling With Mr Turner



PLEASE BUY MY NEW E-BOOK HERE
12 Chapters & over 100 original photos. My best work yet.
ONLY $4.99!
Thank you,
Andy Tallone, your humble author

Click here to buy now:
The Random History of Classic British Motorcycles, Volume 1


Comprehensive Vintage Motorcycle Price Guide 2020-2021

Please visit our
MOTORCYCLE BOOK STORE

Take a tour of our site...

HOME PAGE
Triumph Motorcycles
.....Bonneville
.....Tiger
.....Trophy
.....TR6
.....TR7
.....Trident
.....X-75 Hurricane
.....6T Thunderbird
.....5T Speed Twin
.....Daytona
.....Twenty-One
.....3T 350 Twins
BSA Motorcycles
.....A65
.....A10
.....A7
.....Gold Star
.....Bantam
.....Rocket 3
.....B50
Norton Motorcycles
.....Commando
.....Atlas
.....Dominator
.....Model 7
.....Manx
.....Navigator
AMC-Associated Motor Cycles
Matchless-AJS Motorcycles
.....G3
.....G9
.....G12
.....G80
Royal Enfield Motorcycles
.....Interceptor
.....Bullet
Ariel Motorcycles
.....Square Four
.....Red Hunter
.....Cyclone
Vincent Motorcycles
.....Black Shadow
.....Rapide
.....Comet
.....Egli-Vincent
Velocette Motorcycles
.....KSS
.....KTT
.....LE
.....MAC
.....Thruxton
.....Venom
.....LE
Rickman Motorcycles
Japanese Motorcycles
.....Honda
.....Kawasaki
.....Suzuki
.....Yamaha
Cafe Racers
....Triumph Cafe Racers
.....Norton Cafe Racers
.....Other Cafe Racers
Choppers & Bobbers
.....Choppers
.....Triumph Choppers
.....BSA Choppers
.....Rat Bikes
Classic Racing Motorcycles

Classic Motorcycle Events
.....Auctions
.....Shows
.....Rides
Classic Motorcycle Restoration
Classic Motorcycle Shops
Classic Motorcycle Clubs
Send us Pictures of YOUR BIKE
YOUR BIKE Pictures

HOME PAGE
.....About Us
.....Site Map
.....CONTACT US
.....Please visit our BLOG
.....Subscribe to our FREE e-zine BRIT IRON
.....BRIT IRON E-zine Back Issues

Visit our STORES
.....Motorcycle Books
.....Motorcycle Magazines
.....Motorcycle Calendars
.....Motorcycle Accessories
..........Motorcycle Helmets
..........Motorcycle Rain Suits
..........Motorcycle Locks & Security
..........Motorcycle T-Shirts
..........Motorcycle Diecast Models
..........GoPro Cameras
.....Motorcycle Parts
..........Motorcycle Tires
..........Motorcycle Chains
..........Motorcycle Batteries
..........Motorcycle Handlebars
.....Motorcycle Tools
..........Whitworth Tools
..........Tire Tools
..........Chain Tools

Crazy about cars, too? Check out our sister site:
www.American-Muscle-Cars.net



Back to top - 1946 Triumph Speed Twin
Last updated 12/10/20

Learn how to BUILD YOUR OWN WEBSITE, like I did.