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Triumph: The Story So FarFrom 1902 to 2010 here is a condensed history of the triumph motorcycle company1The Early Years1902-1909The first triumph motorcycle is produced, a 2.25 bhp single cylinder engine bolted to a bicycle frame.Even though the company started in 1886 making bicycles 1902 is the recognized year for motor cycle manufacturingThe easystart Free-engine was made in 1909 the first bike with a clutch. This meant riders no longer had to run along side the bike to get it started, then jump on. They could just ride away from a stopped position. Production now up to 3,000 per year

Variable pulley - high 4:1, low 6:1 - could be changed by dismantling at the roadside, also Triumph's own two-slide patent carburetor introduced. Engine controls are moved to the handlebars. First variable-gearing on Triumph bikes - required the rider to stop and move the belt drive to a different pulley. Jack Marshall wins single-cylinder class on a Triumph in Isle of Man TT Race and makes fastest lap 42.48mph (68.36kph), with an average of 40.49 mph (65.16kph). Triumph riders also take 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th and 10th places. Triumph's profits for the year were 22,048 pounds1909 Schulte's easy-start "Free-engine" model with multi-plate clutch in rear hub is available (patented by Schulte in 1908, this is Triumph's first bike with a clutch). This meant riders no longer had to run along side the bike to get it started, then jump on! They could just ride away from a stopped position. Production now up to 3,000 per annum. Schulte works on a new rear-hub multi-clutch plate for easy starting. Company also does first tests with a vertical twin engine, a 616cc Bercley.

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1910-1920Pedaling gear is eliminated on most models and replaced by foot pegsFour 3.5 bhp models are now available: the Roadster, Free-Engine Model, TT Roadster and TT Racer. Top speed was 50-55 mph. By 1914, the company was producing 4,000 singles annually. Production became focused on the Allied war effort. Model 'H' roadster with chain drive was introduced in 1915, a 550cc side-valve four-stroke with three-speed gearbox and belt transmission - considered by many to be the first "modern" motorcycleEven though the slogan "Trusty Triumph" had been used in triumph advertising as early as 1910, The Model H is the bike that earned that nickname.Some 30,000 Model H bikes were supplied to Allied forces in World War I

20,000 to UK forces31920-1939

Rim brakes replaced by internally-expanding drum brakes. Mass-produced 500cc side-valve Model 'P' with three-speed gearbox and all-chain drive at 42p.17s.6d - least expensive 500cc ever offered. It causes a sensation. Produced at a rate of 1,000 a week. But the standard of production is poor on the P model . Triumph's reputation is tarnished by the low quality and design flaws. 20,000 were produced before the improved Mark II (late 1925) which restored some of the public confidence in Triumph.Triumph decides to split car production from motorcycle into two separate and independent companies .(1936) Triumph introduces the 500cc Speed Twin, selling at 75 poundsA parallel-twin model set the trend for motorcycles and its form continued well into the 1980sIt was capable of travelling 90 mph and weighed 361 lb.

1937(including discarding valve guides and an asbestos-rope front brake 1940 All motorcycle production is geared towards the war effort. With a new bike in the works, the Triumph factory is demolished in the blitz of Coventry. It takes the motorcycle world by storm and would prove the definitive British bike. This 27bhpparallel-twin model (some say was based on the engine design of the Riley 9 car, whichTurner owned) set the trend for motorcycles and its form continued well into the 1980sPriory Street works destroyed by German bombers on November 14 during blitz of Coventry. Initial batch of 50 350cc twins ready to go out are destroyed. This was the end of this model and motorcycles were never again built at this plant. The staff salvage all of the usable tools and parts from the rubble, only stopping when an unexploded bomb is found among the debris. The Blitz also destroyed all of Triumph's technical records, drawings and designs. Production moved to temporary location in Warwick, while a new factory on the Birmingham-Coventry road outside Meriden is being built.41940-1945War Years 1940All motorcycle production is geared towards the war effort. . The Triumph factory is demolished in the blitz of Coventry. 1941Temporary premises acquired in Warwick and production restarts in June.Work on new factory at the village of Meriden started

1942New factory at Meriden in production mid-year for militaryForty thousand built for military during the war, out of a total of 49,700 motorcycles produced.Triumph also made aircraft components, track links, steering housings and two-wheeled stretcher carriers. And they designed a generator using a Triumph vertical twin engine for the Air Ministry During the war years, Triumph built 50,000 motorcycles.

51946-1966The 650cc Thunderbird launched in 1949 with three models The world's first "superbike," it can achieve 100 mph at a reasonable price The Thunderbird quickly becomes favorite of police forces worldwideThe Wild One is released in 1954, starring Marlon Brando riding his own 1950 Triumph Thunderbird 6T. The first Hollywood film where a motorcycle's tank badge is clearly displayed

1963 All the 650 Twins now feature unit construction. 6Bonneville is Introduced

The Bonneville was destined to become one of the greatest motorcycles of all timeIts name commemorated the world record run and the model was an immediate and long lasting successSteve McQueen rides a Triumph in movie "The Great Escape."

28,700 Triumphs are sold in the USA, mostly Bonneville's (1965)

1968-1983The 750cc Triple finally makes an appearance, powering the Triumph TridentAlthough the motor is powerful by the standards of the day, it is too little, too late. Within weeks, the world will be buzzing with news of the Honda 750-Four, which has overhead cams, a front disc brake and electric start to boot.Tridents take the top three qualifying speeds at Daytona with a highest speed of 165.44 mph.

The BSA group, which includes Triumph, posts a huge financial loss. The decision is made to shut down BSA and focus resources and energy on Triumph.1973Triumph X75 Hurricane, is produced in 1973 This is the final year of production for the Trident. 1975

Bonneville production continues after the workers form a co-op to keep the Meriden factory going. The limited edition Silver Jubilee T140V is made to commerate Queen Elizabeth's 25 years on the throne 1977

The British government writes off 8.4 million pounds owed by Triumph 1980Production of Bonneville was discontinued at Meriden when the firm went into liquidation in the fall. 1983Meriden factory is demolished, and the site acquired for a housing estate, which retains a link to Triumph's history by using Bonneville and Daytona in road names

The Silver Jubilee is a T140 Bonnie with cast alloy wheels and special finish.1,000 for UK, 1,000 for the US, and about 400 more made for export later 1980 Although the British government is willing to write off a substantial debt, the Meriden factory is still deep in the hole. There are a few interesting bikes on the drawing boards but no capital to develop them, nor is there any reason to think the work force could or would produce machines capable of rivaling the ascendant Japanese manufacturers, which are going from strength to strength.

111983-1990John Bloor, a 53-year-old wealthy English property developer and builder, becomes interested in the Meriden factory site for development. He rescues Triumph by buying the name and manufacturing rights

Les Harris of "Racing Spares," a Triumph parts supplier in Devonshire, South West England, was under contract by John Bloor, the new owner of Triumph, to continue manufacturing the Bonneville on behalf of Triumph. Because of the Les Harris Bonneville Triumph has been in continuous production of motorcycles since 1902, making Triumph the oldest continuous production motorcycle

Triumph lives again! 1991-?Bloor stakes at least $60 million of his own money on new mass-production tooling for the Hinckley plantAt the Cologne Motor Cycle Show, six new Triumph models are shown 2,390 machines are sold this year, 974 into the UK. Triumph's new factory in Hinckley, Leicestershire, is completed on an 11-acre site. The company has around 50 employees, producing about five bikes a day.

Founding of "Triumph Motorcycles of America" completes the return of Triumph to the largest market in the world. 1994 Exports of new Triumphs to America begins.1995 Total production passes 50,000 this year. 1997After a 15 year absence from the Triumph line-up, Triumph reintroduces the Bonneville 2000A massive fire guts the main Hinckley assembly plant. The smoke clouds definitely have a silver lining, however. The companys insurance claim funds a do over. 2002 The design and R&D shops are undamaged and continue new-bike development while the factory is rebuilt and refitted with state-of-the-art tooling.

In 2004 Triumph shocks the motorcycling world with the world's largest production motorcycle, the Rocket III It is a 2300cc inline three that produces 147 ft. lbs. of torque and 142 bhp The Rocket III, has set the world land speed record for a production motorcycle over 2000cc on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah

Triumph's iconic nameplate, "Bonneville", celebrates it's 50th anniversary Only 650 anniversary models are produced.

201o and Beyond

Triumph continues to be the last and only all British owned and run transportation manufacturer in the world. Triumph is also the oldest continuous production motorcycle company in the world.

Just for fun /famous riders

Thank You and Ride On