Triumph Motorcycles

[lowdrag]

I went to examine an old VW for someone - I live quite nearby the car - and when there came across this extraordinary horde of Triumphs, dating, if memory serves, from 1911, all upstairs in a barn and in various stages of restoration. Now in my youth I had a Trophy and Bonnie but most of this, since it was a whistle stop tour, went in one ear and out the other. The bike in a final stage of restoration is a Trophy and the engine looks uncannily like a JAP (which I think it is under another name). I believe some of the bikes are very rare, there being only two of one type in the world apparently. I am sure you will know a lot more than me though!




















In addition, there was a collection of series 1 & 2 Zephyrs, one Series 2 with a Mays head and triple carbs. I particularly liked this Consul convertible:-



Finally, I tried these on. I'd never seen them but had them explained to me. Know what they are?

[A911DOM]

Catwoman S&M mask?

I used to frequent a mechanics in deepest darkest Norfolk that was a little bit like this - Loads of old bikes in various states of repair.

Will Hawkes the guy was called, he built up my XS650 trike for me - very interesting character if a little unorthodox.

He had all these mad machines and that was just the workshop tools! - I love the 'oldschool' garages and toolshops, you just know that these guys could make the parts they needed as opposed to calling screwfix/unipart etc every five minutes for parts they needed.

[HiRich]

lowdrag said:

...the engine looks uncannily like a JAP (which I think it is under another name).

I guess the clue's in the crankcase stamping. Bottom end looks like a 4B, but the cylinder head and rocker covers don't look like any JAP arrangement I've seen.

Are those goggles not desert goggles? I'm thinking "Lawrence of Arabia"

[rsv gone!]

Welding goggles?

[lowdrag]

I must admit I was astounded when I was told what they are for, but you aren't yet on the button. Designed specifically for biking though and they date from the 1930's.

[mph]

Could they be for speedway or sand racing ?

[bob1179]

I would love to spend some time in that workshop.

I bet the smell is wonderful. You can't beat the smell of oil and grease and old engines.

[lowdrag]

No, not necessarily for racing although they could be used for that. For everyday use really.

[williamp]

they look like they fit very close, and let very little light in. perhaps some basic goggles to preserve night vision for night time racing, when the rider comes intoa lit section (ie pits???)

[chard]

Desert (dispatch rider?)

or Heavy rain when glass googles would mist up

Edited by chard on Friday 11th December 15:03

[lowdrag]

Full marks to Chard. The goggles are very carefully made so that raindrops can't get through the slits. They are for riding in the rain. I tried them on and was extremely surprised at how much one can see with them on. They date from the 1930s.

[srob]

Certainly a nice looking collection. There seems to be some quite early vintage stuff. Do you you have any more pics or details of the rare bike?

The sidecar body looks interesting too, looks like a racing style effort from the 1920's (and would look superb on the side of our Scott!)

bob1179 said:

I would love to spend some time in that workshop.

I bet the smell is wonderful. You can't beat the smell of oil and grease and old engines.

The smell when I walk into dads garage is brilliant. A combination of petrol, oil and leather