Ray Pickrell rides 'Slippery Sam' to victory | TT 1972 | Production 750cc Race

Built in 1970 as a works production racer, "Slippery Sam" is one of the most celebrated triumph motorcycles of all time.

The iconic machine was one of three 750cc three-cylinder Tridents built by Triumph for the 1970 Isle of Man TT and it earned its nickname at the 1970 Bol d’Or when an oil spill covered the bike and its two riders - Percy Tait and Steve Jolly. The team would however persevere through the issue, going on to to claim fifth place in the race.

The following year the bike would claim the first of its five consecutive production TT victories, cementing its status as one of the racing icons of the era.

Our Slippery Sam t-shirt pays tribute to this iconic bike and is a must have for any fan of the legendary machine and the great era of motorcycle racing that it thrived in.

[bobdale]

I was there !
Fantastic days.
Thanks for the clip

[PhilipMcCombe-jfbx]

Wonderful footage, I was spectating at Sarah's that day.

[DaveFiggley]

Oh yeah. Boyer of Bromley certainly knew how to get the most out of Triumph twins and triples in the late sixties. A lot of it involved lightening the valve train for safer higher rev limits; opening out the ports as far as possible and using higher-lift, longer- duration cam profiles. Stan Shenton of Boyer references the use of the BSA Spitfire profile but forms far more brutal than that found there way into the race bikes. The Boyer Bransden ignition system was revolutionary at that time and is still the modification that any classic bike owner should install.

[thewatcher]

Is That Gary Nixon You're Speaking Of, From Time To Time? Thank You For Sharing Vintage Motorcycle Clips. I Enjoy Them So Much!

[alecjefferson]

Yes that’s Thanks to Edward Turner not wanting the triple to be better than his speed Twin. It was all done behind his back. 👏👏

[AuxesisHyperbole]

They're still lapping around the ton 17 years after Geoff Duke did it in 99•97...

[ModB]

1 & 1/2 x a 500 speed twin 3 cylinders and ten years too late for Triumph and the industry😊

[JollyGraham]

Didn’t Malcolm Uphill ride Slippery Sam?

[jasonhill]

Didn't a dodgy charge in the rules that said no bike over 5 years old could no longer compete, end Slippery Sam's rule?

[MrPeterbennett]

Oh dear, no Honda cb 750 fours??? maybe the road Honda"s were not that good !!!