Twenties group

So much going on in this photo. First bike on left is an AJS, next up a Triumph H (note the leather strap around the forks to mitigate against spring failure and the soft toy mole on the sidecar is cute!). I wish I could identify the next bike, it looks sporting, Druid forks and a very distinctive wide flat petrol tank shape. Final bike on the right side is another Triumph H.

Veteran Triumph

Apparently there are more veteran Triumphs on the Sunbeam MCC's Pioneer Register of pre-1914 machines than there are of all other marques put together. That's got to go a long way to explaining just why there such a disproportionate number of photos of the era feature Triumph motorcycles.

This particular image of a veteran Triumph is however a very good one. Very sharply focussed and quite artfully composed. As ever if you want to see a larger resolution of it then right click and open in a new window and then enlarge to original size (1200dpi).

Neat features on this particular Triumph are an aftermarket clutch, a rather unusual mounting for the acetyline lighting generator on the top tube above the petrol tank. Also note the very long leather flap in front of the engine to keep the magneto dry and perhaps a little bit of mud away from the riders feet too.

Artfully shot veteran Triumph.

Spring time flower bimbling

One of my favourite things in life come spring time is to get on an old bike and trundle slowly around the local lanes looking for flowers in bloom. Of course it's the bluebells that are the headline grabbers but there's plenty of other floral treats out there. This year due to my work schedule and the vagaries of the seasons I was out before peak bluebell season but, not to worry, the show put on by the cowslips and hawthorn more than made up for it.

Due to various life events my stable of machines that actually work has been been whittled down to just two but, not to worry, I truly enjoy using both of them and chose the '27 Triumph Model N for the ride. I like the Triumph more the more I use it. I've had it for around 12 years but, though it was still nice to ride, until recently it suffered from the engine tightening up if pushed harder. Recently I've given the motor a top end service by honing it, dressing any rough edges on the barrel and piston and lapping in the valves. Now the riding experience is better than ever and it's hard to imagine an easier to live with or more satisfying flat tank ride.

 

The Triumph poses with cowslips in the background.

Close up on cowslips in the meadow.

Slightly early for bluebells but here they are in
the background.

And now for wild garlic flowers with some bluebells
photobombing.

Wild garlic again.

This year the hawthorn hedgerows were the scene
stealer.

The Model N shows off in front of hawthorn bloom.

Another veteran Triumph

It's just that, another veteran Triumph. The survival rate of veteran Triumphs versus other machines of the period and the number of period photos of them that turn up seem to suggest that they were rather popular at the time.

This particular snap is a nice one with very dapper riders and what looks like a new machine (at a best guess 1911) which is nicely accessorised with a curly horn and headlight.

Triumph T150 Trident spotted

I love to see original unrestored old bikes and I love to see old bikes in use. This Triumph T150 Trident ticks both boxes and was snapped during a recent trip up to London on a sunny Wednesday outside a pub in Weybridge. To whoever owns it, bravo.

Harumph!

I spotted this sweet looking hybrid on a recent trip down to West Bay in West Dorset. West Bay is a local riding destination being a cute fishing village with a couple of good cafes at the end of several fun roads. Bike or no bike it's just a good place to visit.

The petrol tank logo states 'Harumph' which is as good a homebrew bike name as you will ever find and reason enough in itself to pop a Harley engine into a Triumph frame. Let's forget that neither were Triumph's fifties frames noted for their fine handling, nor Harley WL flatheads for their great performance. This machine is the anti-Triton! These things matter not these days for what is created is a great looking bike that would undoubtedly be a lot of fun to ride.

Harley Triumph special. Harumph!

Triumph Model H stunt riding

There's a lot of photos of vintage and veteran Triumphs around, this one is a bit different and fun though. Several lads having fun with their Model H. From the dress and the bike the photo must have been taken shortly after WW1, having gone through that these guys have every reason to be out there larking around and enjoying themselves.

Triumph N fettling

I'm lucky enough to be the custodian of several old motorcycles and this 1927 Triumph is a firm favourite. Bought some eleven years ago at auction, it started up willingly in the car park after I had paid up for it, and has been a reliable friend since.

The '27 Triumph really is one of the easiest flat tank bikes to live with, performance is fair and parts are available. It has that wonderful twenties long and spindly look but is combined with the advances of the latter part of the decade - wired on tyres and decent brakes. My example has been slightly blighted with a tendency to nip up when pushed along, I've always felt that more should be available from it and that it should have the ability to get thrashed a bit harder and take it. 

 

So, some much needed care and attention for the Model N. The plan of action was to take the top end off and check for any possible air leaks, check the ring gap, lap the valves and give it a hone and hope that this multi-pronged approach would sort it out.

The first problem that sprung to light on disassembly was that the seals on the valve cap 'fir cones' were poor and possibly air was getting in. This would have to be sorted on re-assembly. Off came the exhaust and carb and next the barrel itself. Clearance was a lot tighter and the job was considerably fiddlier than I had expected for a bike that would have had to come apart regularly back in the day to de-coke and grind in the valves.

The ring gaps were already very generous, so no problems there. The valves were not seating nicely so out came the grinding paste and lapping tool. The bore was ever so slightly glazed so I got busy with the honing tool (just an attachment for my power drill). Whilst everything was apart the barrel and exhaust got the wire brush treatment followed by a couple of coats of high temp satin black paint.

Everything went back together the same way it came apart, the barrel was equally fiddly to get on as it was to get off. Just half an inch of extra clearance and it would be a cinch... Test ride time and it started and ran fine. Out on the road we took it steady to start with and progressively opened up more and more and all remained good with no sign of tightening up. Can't really say what was the single cause of the problem, perhaps it was multitudinous. So, ready for next season to ride with confidence in unleashing all those Triumph horses.

Bikes I have owned pt IX. Triumph 3TA

This has got to date from the mid to late eighties. Obviously I believed I was the business on this bike! Reality as we can see perhaps tells a different story. Still, that is what motorcycles are about isn't it? A fantasy. In this case the Triumph had all sorts of whiffs of James Dean, the Fonz, The Wild One, etc, etc.

Of course the 3TA, aka Model 21 was the baby bro of all the big glamour Triumphs but it still had the look. It was bought from a local very biker-ish kind of guy, the price was low and it totally showed in the bike. In truth it was remarkable that it ran and kept on running. The front brake was negligable, the rear locked up at the faintest hint of pedal, the handling was poor and the engine occasionally let out a blood curdling squeal on the overun. It did however sound magnificent and look amazing to a seventeen year old and I loved it.

1964 Triumph Twenty One.

Triumph Model H

It's a 'trusty' Triumph Model H, favourite of First World War despatch riders and as dependable a machine as there was in the era. Note the leather belt wrapped around the fork, an essential accessory for the Triumph rider of the period as with the Triumph swinging fork design a broken spring could wreak disastrous results.

'Trusty' Triumph Model H.

Triumph Model H.

 

London sightseeing

Just back from a few days break sightseeing up in London and one of the prime sights was this Cheney Triumph spotted in Soho. It looks very much like the bike is a daily rider, or at least a very regular rider. The bike is still riding full on motocross tyres, it'd be nice to think that it still sees some dirt every so often. Whoever the owner is, well done sir or madam for keeping old iron in regular use.

Triumph SD combination

It rather looks like someone here has a shiny new toy. This Triumph Model SD is very imposing and very immaculate. The Triumph is fully accessorised with speedo, mirror and early electric lighting set (I would date the bike as 1923 or 24). A pity that the sidecar is slightly cut off in the picture, it seems to be both unusual and quite vast.

Triumph Model SD combination.

German Model H Triumph

An intriguing backdrop to this photo of a Triumph Model H. There is a note on the reverse of the photo saying, "Wilhemstrasse 2. 1921". Note the unusual belt driven speedo drive on the front wheel, something I personally have not seen before.

Sehr gut! Triumph Model H

 

ABC and TT Triumph

An interesting and unlikely pair of machines in this photo, chalk and cheese - different in style, speed and even era.

The bike on the right is an ABC, designed by Granville Bradshaw and manufactured by the Sopwith Aviation Co. As with all of Bradshaw's designs it was fairly unorthodox and ahead of its time. Following a minor vogue of a few years earlier rear suspension was swinging arm controlled by leaf springs (Matchless and Indian were there with that a few years previously), the motor was a opposed twin 400cc ohv unit and legshields and footboards were integrated in to the frame. The ABC was a sophisticated bike but developed a reuptation for fragile valve gear and upgrading with aftermarket kits was a popular mod for ABC owners. The design was licensed out to Gnome et Rhone (also coincidentally airplane manufacturers) in France who produced a 500cc version with better developed valve gear. The bike wasn't a great success and was made from 1919 to 1923.

The other machine is a 1927 TT Triumph, a fast, strong and reliable road burner. The TT Triumph was a simple and dependable machine that replaced the earlier 'Ricardo' model developed by Harry Ricardo and featuring a four valve head.

ABC flat twin and TT Triumph riding partners.

Sixties Pioneer Run snaps

A couple of snaps from probably the early sixties. I'm guessing it is the Pioneer Run. The road is a slabbed concrete dual carriageway, perhaps someone out there remembers and recognises the location?

Veteran Triumph on the road.

Veteran Douglas storming down a dual carriageway!

Early Triumph combo

 Happy New Year 2021 to all!

 

A lovely photo and surely an interesting story behind it which, alas, we shall never know. The bike is unmistakably a Triumph and looks to date from just before WW1.

Veteran Triumph sidecar combination.

Veteran Triumph

This charming snap is of a veteran Triumph. Couldn't tell you the exact year but most likely 1913 or 1914 as you can just see the actuating rod going from the petrol tank to the three speed hub. Note how the lady sits side saddle as was the convention of the day.

Veteran Triumph with side saddle pillion.

Triumph 3H

Despite the war (black out mask fitted to the headlight) this chap looks happy enough and well he may for he is astride a Triumph 3H. The 3H was one of the range of Val Page designed singles that had received an Edward Turner makeover shortly after he joined Triumph in 1936.

The late thirties Triumph singles embody all that it is good about thirties British bikes, lively performance, nippy handling, dependable reliability, great looks and considerable charm.

Triumph 3H with blackout mask fitted to the headlight.

Rocker's Thunderbird

A cracking photo courtesy of James Kelly. So many neat details in the photo. The bike is a pre-unit Triumph 6T Thunderbird and customised in a very period evocative way - whitewall tyres, leopard print seat and chromed headlamp peak. All we know about the photo is the chap aboard the Triumph goes by the name of 'Gray Bailey', his outfit is of a level of awesomeness to match his bike: drainpipes, turn ups, snazzy socks, pointed toe loafers and, hard to say from the photo, but that could well be a velvet jacket.

And compare our chap Gray and his Triumph to the background. The bike is a colourful ton up flying machine, he is a snappy dresser. In the background are dull fifties steel box cars merely capable of wheezing along at 40mph whilst the Triumph flies past them and their dull grey occupants. Post war fifties optimism and youth culture in one crinkled old snap.

Gray Bailey and his Triumph Thunderbird.
By the way the numberplate is a
Portsmouth one and the location may
well be Bournemouth.

Flat tanker leather knee grips

These leather knee pads were once a fairly popular accessory on more sporting flat tank machines of the twenties (or at least the machines of owners who had sporting pretensions).Whilst I would never claim that my '27 Triumph N is a performance machine it does have quite racey handlebars and the knee pads certainly add to the look.

I picked the pads up from a chap at the Stafford Show who was making reproduction vintage leather items. Lacing the pads on took a little bit more head scratching than I anticipated - in order for the leather to sit nicely over the top of the tank each eyelet must have the leather string laced over it in order to pull it flush with the tank. The pads do need to age a little bit to blend in but overall I am very happy with the result. An unexpected bonus is that the pads act as stops to the handlebars: there are no stops fitted to the forks and the low pattern type bars can make contact with the petrol tank at the extremes of lock. Now the bars are neatly brought to a stop by a cushion of soft leather.