This document summarizes the history of Triumph motorcycles from 1902 to the present day in brief sections organized by time periods. It notes that Triumph began producing motorcycles in 1902 and focused on military production during World Wars I and II, producing over 50,000 motorcycles for the war efforts. Major models introduced include the Bonneville in the 1950s and Thunderbird in the late 1940s, which helped popularize Triumph motorcycles. The company struggled financially in the late 1960s and went out of business in 1983 before being resurrected by new ownership in the 1990s, returning Triumph motorcycles to production.

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)

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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.

18.  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 company’s 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.

19.  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

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

21. 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.

23. Justforfun/famousriders

29. ThankYouandRideOn