The decision by Lucas in the late 1950s to switch production of motorcycle electrical components (from magneto/dynamo systems to alternators/coil systems) forced British motorcycle manufacturers to completely redesign their engines.
New headlights from Lucas Industries allowed the front to be lowered, creating a thin egg-crate style grill.
King of the Road was the brandname used for a range of bicycle equipment produced by Lucas Industries.
The look was completed with a heavy-duty WM3-18 rear wheel, and a Lucas Competition magneto was supplied as standard.
Chromed Lucas turn indicators returned in place of the black plastic ULO items that had replaced them on other Triumph models from 1981.
The Mk2 also saw some cost-cutting measures, such as the Bosch fuel injection being replaced by a lower performance Simms unit, as well as Lucas electrics replacing the Bosch.
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Aiming to overcome the outdated image, designers were commissioned from the Reynolds Tube Company to develop a completely new open duplex frame of welded tubing, including a swinging arm with twin Girling dampers (state of the art for the time) with leading link front suspension.
The front suspension was a typical double wishbone arms with outboard coil/damper unit using the Triumph upright made by Alford & Alder, Triumph Herald rack and pinion steering, and outboard Girling non-ventilated disc brake.