The First All-British Motorcycle

Originally a bicycle manufacturer founded by German immigrants Siegfried Bettman and Maurice Schulte. Triumph was established in 1902 and used Belgian Minerva engines. However, the two men understood the power of being recognised as “home grown” and were determined to build their own power units; the first of these, a 298cc single-cylinder side valve, arrived in 1904.

By 1905, Triumph succeeded in manufacturing the first 100% British-made motorcycle. Production at this stage was approximately five per week. The famous 3.5hp model offered here first appeared in 1907. Originally 453cc, its side valve engine was enlarged to 476cc in 1908 and finally to 499cc in 1910 before being superseded by the 4hp model in late 1914.

A slim tank housed within the frame holds fuel and oil. Transmission is by direct belt drive so to start the Triumph it is necessary to pedal up to speed until you release to values closed to create displacement pressure which in turn fires the machine up. Once running, you might reach a heady top speed of 25 mph. With this model, Triumph’s early success in competitive racing was highlighted in 1908 when Jack Marshall won the Isle of Man TT, an event that continues to capture the imagination of today’s public.

By the outbreak of WWI, the marque’s reputation for quality and dependability was well established and led to Triumph playing a key role in the Great War supplying front-line dispatch vehicles for our Allied forces. Offered from the Duncan Collection, this is an outstanding example of the early Triumph and represents the best of British from a bygone era.