50 Years with a Trident — Finally Running Better Than Ever

I’ve owned my 1972 Triumph Trident T150R since 1973. When I first came across it, the bike was in terrible condition and common sense told me to walk away — but I was hooked by that unmistakable sound.

Over the years, I tried three different ignition systems. The results were, at best, mediocre. Like many Trident and Rocket 3 Owners Club members, I had come to accept that poor performance was just “the norm.”

That changed with the Tri-Spark Classic Triple Ignition. Encouraged by the glowing endorsements from fellow club members, I installed the latest version myself. Despite being something of a self-confessed “electronic Luddite,” I found the process surprisingly straightforward.

The results have been nothing short of outstanding. Using the built-in static timing system, the bike started instantly on the first kick and settled into a smooth, reliable idle. Fine-tuning with a strobe at 4,000 RPM even showed the automatic advance and retard working perfectly — allowing precise adjustments.

Equally impressive has been the support from Steve Kelly at Tri-Spark and L.P. Williams. In a world where customer service often feels like a thing of the past, both have been exceptional to deal with.

After 50 years of ownership, I can confidently say that fitting the Tri-Spark Ignition has transformed my Trident experience.

— Jim Smith, Life Member, Trident and Rocket 3 Owners Club