Dunlop TT100

The Dunlop K81 TT100 is a tyre that captured the imagination of the bike industry in the late 60s. It was designed by Dunlop's Tony Mills following a request from Doug Hele at Triumph in 1967 to produce a tyre suitable for the new 750cc production triple, the Trident. Tested by the very capable racer Percy Tait, the new tyre design, complete with its 'Trigonic' four-ply nylon bias construction and race-derived tread compound, was fitted as standard to Triumph's Trident, BSA's Rocket III and the Norton Commando.

It wasn't until 1969 however that the tyre received its true calling. Fitted to the Triumph 650cc T120 in the 1969 750cc Production TT - a bike ridden by Welshman Malcom Uphill, it recorded the first production lap over 100mph wining at a record 99.99mph. It was also the first time a road legal tyre had been timed around the TT course at over a ton. Renamed the K81 TT100 Roadmaster, it flew off the shelves and legend was born.