Salty Secret: Here’s An Old Turbocharged Triumph (We Think) Engine That Isn’t


Salty Secret: Here’s An Old Turbocharged Triumph (We Think) Engine That Isn’t

I was cruising the Bonneville impound area last night with Chad and Bret Kepner and we happened upon a motorcycle that will be running for record book status today. It looked to us like the bike was powered by a turbocharged Triumph engine. Being that between the three of us, we have about three brain cells of motorcycle knowledge we may have blown the engine ID on this one. If we did, correct us in the comments. All this being said, the little mill has a blatant secret hiding in plain sight. What could it be? It is just a little turbo bike, right? Wrong.

If you look at the “turbo” closely you will realize that it is not a turbo at all. Heck, it may have been at one time but the guys running this bike have modified it into a belt driven blower! The photos below tell the story but the three of us nearly fell over when we realized that we were looking at. How are the turning the the thing to make boost? How about with a V-belt drive!

This is just another example of the ingenuity and creativity exhibited by racers when the rule book is essentially “come up with the wackiest thing you can and meet the safety requirements”. We’re going to catch up with these guys and get you more information but for now, check out the photos. If this is not one of the most BangShifty things we have ever seen, we’re not sure what is!

Bonneville Speed Week Saturday Impound29 Bonneville Speed Week Saturday Impound30 Bonneville Speed Week Saturday Impound31 Bonneville Speed Week Saturday Impound32 Bonneville Speed Week Saturday Impound33


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8 thoughts on “Salty Secret: Here’s An Old Turbocharged Triumph (We Think) Engine That Isn’t

  1. Chevy Hatin\' Mad Geordie

    It looks like one of the later 8-valve motors from the dying days of Triumph. The belt-driven turbo first appeared on a very cool flat 12 powered Ferrari 308 dragster and is a great way to increase power without all the heat associated with a true exhaust-driven turbocharger. This is something that should catch on as there are many turbos out there in junkyardland that would fit onto most hot motors.

      1. Bob Davis

        I have a 350 cc (21 ci) Triumph that looks like that as best as I can tell.
        Mine is a 1958 model, I know for sure because I have the Manufacturers Certificate of Origin. It was never sold. It was however, raced by the Dealer, Consolidated Motors of Lubbock, TX. Ridden by Durwood (I can’t remember his last name).

    1. Brendan M

      I don’t think so Geordie, the Westlake 8 valve head has significantly larger rocker boxes. It was featured on the early 80’s Triumph TSS and TSX Bonnevilles.
      This is definitely a 4 valve. Judging by the distributor behind the right cylinder, I’d guess it’s an early 60’s 350 or 500 twin. Like the motor that would have come in the Triumph Twenty One.

  2. TheSilverBuick

    Pretty wild! Looks like there is an intermediate shaft that I wonder if the pulley’s can be changed out to adjust the speed.

  3. Bill Hahn Jr.

    Would be interesting to see the step-up drive, as they need about 100,000 RPM to get that centrifugal turbo compressor rocking!

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