1. Triumph: The Story So Far

2. 1902-1909 The 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 manufacturing 3. The 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 4. 1910-1920 Pedaling gear is eliminated on most models and replaced by foot pegs Four 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. 5. Production became focused on the Allied war effort The 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" motorcycle Even though the slogan "TrustyTriumph" 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 inWorldWar I 6. 1920-1939 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 inTriumph. 7. Triumph introduces the 500cc SpeedTwin, selling at 75 pounds A parallel-twin model set the trend for motorcycles and its form continued well into the 1980s It was capable of travelling 90 mph and weighed 361 lb. 8. 1940-1945 War Years 1940 Allmotorcycleproductionis gearedtowardsthewar effort..TheTriumphfactoryis demolishedintheblitzof Coventry. 1941 Temporary premises acquired inWarwick and production restarts in June. Work on new factory at the village of Meriden started 9. 1942 NewfactoryatMeridenin productionmid-yearformilitary Forty 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. 10. 1946-1966 The 650ccThunderbird launched in 1949 with three models The world's first "superbike," it can achieve 100 mph at a reasonable price TheThunderbird quickly becomes favorite of police forces worldwide The Wild One is released in 1954, starring Marlon Brando riding his own 1950TriumphThunderbird 6T.The first Hollywood film where a motorcycle's tank badge is clearly displayed 11. Bonneville is Introduced The Bonneville was destined to become one of the greatest motorcycles of all time Its name commemorated the world record run and the model was an immediate and long lasting success Steve McQueen rides a Triumph in movie "The Great Escape." 28,700 Triumphs are sold in the USA, mostly Bonneville's (1965) 12. 1968-1983 The 750ccTriple finally makes an appearance, powering theTriumph Trident Although 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. 13. The BSA group, which includes Triumph, posts a huge financial loss. The decision is made to shut down BSA and focus resources and energy onTriumph.1973 Triumph 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 14. The British government writes off 8.4 million pounds owed byTriumph 1980 Production of Bonneville was discontinued at Meriden when the firm went into liquidation in the fall. 1983 Meriden factory is demolished, and the site acquired for a housing estate, which retains a link toTriumph's history by using Bonneville and Daytona in road names 15. 1983-1990 John Bloor, a 53-year-old wealthy English property developer and builder, becomes interested in the Meriden factory site for development. He rescuesTriumph by buying the name and manufacturing rights Les Harris of "Racing Spares," aTriumph parts supplier in Devonshire, South West England, was under contract by John Bloor, the new owner ofTriumph, to continue manufacturing the Bonneville on behalf ofTriumph. Because of the Les Harris Bonneville Triumph has been in continuous production of motorcycles since 1902, makingTriumph the oldest continuous production motorcycle 16. Triumphlivesagain! 1991-? Bloor stakes at least $60 million of his own money on new mass-production tooling for the Hinckley plant At the Cologne Motor Cycle Show, six newTriumph 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. 17. 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. 1997 After a 15 year absence from the Triumph line-up, Triumph reintroduces the Bonneville 2000 A 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. 18. In 2004Triumph 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 19. Triumph's iconic nameplate, "Bonneville", celebrates it's 50th anniversary Only 650 anniversary models are produced. 20. 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. 21. Justforfun/famousriders 22. ThankYouandRideOn