Triumph-BSA-Norton.......Sound

[wilcom]

When I was a kid in the 50's and 60's and  would hear a motorcycle coming down the road I could never discern the difference in the sound of a Triumph or a BSA, but I always knew when it would be a Norton heading my way.

Anyone know why that was? Is it a crank timing thing like Harley's?

I'd go out and stand in my front yard to see if I could still do it but I don't think there's going to many T,B or N's heading down my street in the near future.

[montmil]

The Turnips have a 360 degree crank whereas the Beezers were 180s. Don't know for sure about the Snortin' Nortons but bet they may be 180s. Correct me if I'm wrong, again.

My Triumph Trophy 900 Triple has another typical Triumph crank. The 900s go Bang-Bang-Bang-Shhh (BBBS) with a 720 crank, while the 1200s go BBBB. At full song, the 900 has a very unique, rorty sound that is unique to the breed.

And with my D & D slip-ons, I'm easy to pick outta the crowd. [smiley=mad.gif]

Monte

[Motu]

All British twins had a 360 crank,how they sounded depended on the state of tune and exhausts.The Commando peashooter was a distinctive sound,and the yellow ones were called canaries because of the whistling.

[wilcom]

The Commando peashooter was a distinctive sound,and the yellow ones were called canaries because of the whistling.  

This was all pre-Commando days in the late 50's early 60"s. Why there was even a 4 port Ariel that went by once, what a sweet song they sang.

[Motu]

I've owned Triumph,BSA,Norton,Matchless,Yamaha and BMW 650 twins - they all sound the same to me.

[wilcom]

they all sound the same to me

At my state of Antiquity I can't see, hear or smell  worth a damn anymore. In my youth when everything was new, there was "something" about that  Norton sound that stood out to me.

Could have been all the Norton guys in my hood were run'n open pipes and that's what I remember. Could be my memory is past it's rotation date too.

I think I will hit a British bike gathering this summer,  blindfold myself and stand on the corner and see what % I can get right. I'll be sure and have a "tin cup" with me, might pick up a few bucks while I'm at it............... LOL

[Lucky_Lou]

The Commando peashooter was a distinctive sound,and the yellow ones were called canaries because of the whistling.  

This was all pre-Commando days in the late 50's early 60"s. Why there was even a 4 port Ariel that went by once, what a sweet song they sang.

The 4 pot Ariel was known affectionatly here as a "Squariel" had the pleasure of having a go on one many moons ago quite a heavy beast as i recall.
Lou

[Semper Gumby]

I think I can pick out the Norton.  The long stroke and the venting of the crankcase makes a particular Thwoaka Thwoaka sound.  Beezers and Triumphs are harder to differentiate.

My favorite is the 1969 Firebird on the far side of 5000 rpms.  It gets quiter as the cam kicks in and takes my breath away.