Believed 1927 works TT, 1927 Triumph 498cc Racing Motorcycle

Registration no. DFP 466 Frame no. 702232 Engine no. 122031 Crankcase mating no's T7 1 / T7 1

* Believed Works TT machine
* Offered from long term ownership (since 1984)

The Triumph factory had not had much success on the Island in the twenties, but a lot of effort went into the 1927 Senior TT with no fewer than six works entries and a private entry by Vic Horsman. Four of the seven Triumphs finished the race, but ironically it was Tommy Simister's privately entered machine which finished 3rd, well ahead of the works bikes. Harris crashed out at Quarter Bridge on the first lap, Quinn crashed on lap 4, Wilmot Evans retired on the last lap, but Harry Hobbs finished 12th, Tyrell Smith was 13th, and Norman Black was 18th. It is not known who rode which machine.

The racing machines differed from the production model in relatively minor aspects: twin pannier petrol tanks were fitted with the gearchange mounted on the right hand tank, though Simister's petrol tanks were of a slightly different shape, and his gearchange was mounted on the gearbox - like the production machines. Large cylindrical oil tanks were fitted beneath the saddle, with an auxiliary foot pedal allowing the rider to give the engine an additional charge of oil without having to remove his hand from the bars. Andre steering dampers were fitted, and the front forks were modified with lighter springs and B&D dampers.

These Triumphs are certainly worthy of further research. The motorcycle offered here is believed to be one of the six works bikes. It was bought by the late owner from Stephen Griffith in 1984 following a period on display in the Stanford Hall Collection (receipt on file). We note that the Stanford Hall brochure makes no mention of this bike's involvement in the 1927 TT, but states that "it was raced by E. Archibald in the Amateur TT, and that it was rebuilt by Colonel Jack Churchill who favoured the fancy copper exhaust pipes". The bikes were numbered T (for TT?), 7 (for 1927?), and 1 to 6. This machine's headstock is stamped T.7.5, each crankcase is stamped T7 1 behind the cylinder barrel, and the gearbox is stamped T7 in two places. Interestingly, a sister bike which Bonhams sold in 2012 featured frame no. T.7.1 and crankcase nos. T7 5. The late owner's sons were told by their father that it was believed the factory swapped the engines and frames around after the race.

The age-related registration number dates from 1982. A splendid 100 mph Bonniksen speedometer is fitted – and has apparently been there for a very long time. A V5C registration document accompanies the machine which has not been run since 2012, so careful re-commissioning is essential before further use. Prospective bidders must satisfy themselves as to the Triumph's provenance, completeness, and mechanical condition prior to bidding.