|
1946
|
Civilian production resumes at Meriden. All-twin cylinder range
announced - 350cc 3T Deluxe (designed originally for production in 1940 and
loosely based on the aborted 3TW), 500cc Speed Twin
(redesigned for 1946 with telescopic forks, separate magneto and dynamo), 500cc Tiger 100.
|
 |
| Triumph's
popular Speed Twin continued production after the war. |
| Telescopic
forks were on all models, with the spring wheel extra. Tiger 85 twin (a sports version of
the 3T) and 3H single are announced but not produced. Only about a dozen shops in USA
handle Triumphs in the first year after the war. Ernie Lyons wins first Manx Grand Prix
on redesigned Tiger 100 (built by Freddie Clarke and based on wartime
generator engine but using Triumph's first attempt at rear suspension - a
sprung hub). Turner, who was anti-racing (and
away in America on a tour), was furious - but he threw Lyons winner a victory dinner
anyway. Clarke resigned and joined AMC as Chief Development Engineer. A small batch of Lyons' T100 was made for sale. Bert Hopwood left after an
argument with Turner over racing and stayed away 14 years. Ivor Davies joins Triumph.
Total output this year was 9,477 machines, 44 per cent for export. |
| TT races resumed. Ducati produces its first bike, the 50cc Cucciolo. Soichiro
Honda creates the Honda Technical Institute in Hamamatsu, Japan. German manufacturers
allowed to build 125cc, then later 250cc machines. In April, UK motorcyclist CE Allen
holds a rally in Surrey to form the Vintage Motor Cycle Club (38 enthusiasts of pre-1930
machines attended). First Vespa scooters made by Piaggio (Italy). Ossa (Spain) founded.
Parilla (Italy) founded, starts making first motorcycles and enters races.
There are 200,000 motorcycles registered in the USA after the war. That
number would triple by 1960. |
|
1947
|
Spring
rear hub introduced. Edward Turner tours California, visiting film sets in Hollywood and
rubbing shoulders with film stars. David Whitworth scores racing success on a T100
on the continent. 3TU prototype made, based on revised pre-war New Imperial
design and originally intended at carry New Imperial badges,
but proves too slow and is not produced.
Doug Hele leaves Douglas and joins Triumph.
|
 |
| The
post-war 3TU prototype: poor performance but great style... note the heavily-valenced
fenders, similar to an Indian Chief, and solid wheels. |
| Bert Hopwood joins Norton, where he
designed the Norton Dominator 500cc twin-cylinder engine this year. Soichiro Honda builds his first two-stroke
engine. AMC takes over Francis-Barnett. First Lambretta scooters made (Italy).
In July, a motorcycle rally and race event in Hollister California becomes
a nationally-publicized 'riot'. A famous photograph of a drunken biker
perched on top a Harley surrounded by dozens of empty (many broken) beer
bottles gets printed in Life magazine. The photo was later proved to be
staged and the 'riot' involved only a fraction of the attendees acting
rowdy. |
|
1948
|
TR5:
500cc 'Trophy' TR5 - Triumph's first trail bike - is introduced following success in
International Six Day Test (ISDT - the bike was named after the official British racing
team won the award). The engine was originally built by Triumph to power generators for
the RAF in WW2: it has aluminum heads and barrels and is light, torquey and powerful. The
team won the next four years' contests. 500cc Grand Prix (GP) model announced, based on
T100. Alex Scobie road tests the GP. Henry Vale wins the ISDT riding a customized 5T
roadster. Triumph making 12,000 bikes a year, 60 per cent of them are exported, but
American sales are declining. Turner is persuaded to enter a trio of 500cc
twins in the Senior TT, but they are all retired during the race, which
strengthens Turner's opposition to competition racing.
Vale is hired and becomes Triumph's competition shop boss and chief engineer, until
1966, making and designing all of the company's trials and scrambles models. The
military-use 500cc TRW design is finalized, based on 5T and TR5 components. It is also the
world's first mass-production motorcycle to use AC electrics. From November on, all
machines used an all-new, shorter-wheelbase chassis.
The British team wins the prestigious International Six Day Trials (ISDT) on Triumph
Trophy bikes. Riders on the team included Allan Jeffries, Bob Manns, Len Bayliss, Jimmy
Alves and Alex Scobie. This bike was released for production in 1949 as the TR5.
Pete Colman is appointed by JoMo to set up a US dealer network, working with sales
manager Andy Anderson. |
| Soichiro Honda starts making motorcycles in Japan, attaching
second-hand US Army generator engines to bicycle frames. They also make
Honda's first motorcycle: the 98cc two-stroke Model D ("Dream").
Royal Enfield releases
its first parallel-twin, a 500cc roadster. Vincent
HRD releases its Series B Black Shadow and Series C Black Lightning.
Norman returns to production with a new autocycle and a 197cc lightweight.
Norton makes its
first parallel twin prototype and later shows the complete Dominator at
the Earl's Court show. Aermacchi (Italy) makes first motorcycle.
Silverstone race circuit opens. First BSA Bantam produced, a 125cc two-stroke
called the D1. BMW returns to motorcycle market with 250cc single R24. |
|
1949
|
650cc
Thunderbird 6T (designed by Turner but made into a workable machine by his drawing-board
guru, Jack Wickes) was launched on Sept. 20 with three models racing 500 miles at 90mph
(800km at 145kph) for a demonstration at Montlhery. Although basically a revamped,
bored-out Speed Twin, 6T is designed to satisfy export (mostly American) market,
offered as capable of a full 161 kmh/100 mph.
Thunderbird quickly becomes favourite of police forces worldwide. Nacelle headlamp
enclosure is put on all models (moving gauges from top of tank - see Thunderbird photo at
right). The name came to Turner while on a US tour. He stayed at the Thunderbird Motel in
South Carolina. |
|
 |
| Top:
Montlhery Thunderbirds. From left: riders Len Bayliss and Bob Manns, BBC correspondent
David Martin, rider Alex Scobie, Ivor Davies. Below: Thunderbird nacelle. |
|
25hp TR5
model Trophy produced (based on Speed Twin, designed for offroad use, but with excellent
highway ability, easy starting and excellent braking). It became the mainstay of the AMC
"Class C" racing until 1969. American versions combine components of the T100
and grand Prix Trophy to make a fast desert racer. Triumph Owners Motorcycle Club founded.
5/3W 500cc side-valve built for military, based on 3TWO, destroyed in Coventry blitz.
Jeffries wins gold at the ISDT (winning again in 1950 and 51). The Mark II sprung hub is
introduced. JoMo signs over 100 US dealers by the end of the year. Triumph production is
up to 12,000 motorcycles, 60 per cent for export. |
| After disputes with director Joe Craig over Norton's expensive
involvement with racing, Bert Hopwood leaves Norton for BSA. Norton
introduces its own parallel twin, the 500cc Model 7 Dominator, designed
by Hopwood. AJS and Matchless
introduce swinging-arm frames. US Federal Trade Commission charges Harley-Davidson
with making illegal exclusive-deal contracts with its dealers and forcing
them not to take other lines. Bert Hopwood designs 250cc engine using
bevel-gear for valves, for BSA. Alfred "Rich" Child sets up a BSA
network in the USA, adding dealers faster than JoMo. BSA production is at
1,000 units a week by 1950. Indian director Ralph
Rogers acquires US distribution rights for AJS, Douglas, Excelsior, Matchless,
Royal Enfield, Norton and Vincent for his 1,000 dealer network. He founds
Indian Sales in the UK as a distributor for the bikes. Sales of British
bikes to the USA are only 4,275 machines this year, compared to 25,107 to
Australia. Scott
sold to Matt Holder. Velocette
introduces 149cc LE, the bike that would break the company. Harley drops
springer forks for improved hydraulically-dampened telescopic forks. World
Championship series of Grand Prix races organized, with sidecar races included.
Restrictions on size of German motorcycles lifted. Norton wins first Daytona
200 in USA. CZ and JAWA merge to form CSAZ, but still market bikes under
original names. Rumi (Italy) changes from textiles to motorcycle manufacturing
(ending around 1959). BSA 500cc Gold Star is launched |
|
1950
|
Painted
fuel tanks with pressed styling bands and badges are used due to temporary lack of lining
capacity. Edward Turner opts for "low-chrome" policy, bans the use of chrome
fuel tanks on future models (they weren't used again until the Bonneville Royal Wedding
edition in 1981). Thunderbird in production; the world's first "superbike," it
can achieve 100 mph at a reasonable price. performance improvements come mid-way through
year when carb size is increased. Turner believes 650cc is the practical limit for
vertical twins. Last year for the GP model (although T100C continues its tradition).
The Mark 2 sprung hub is used in bikes this year.
Turner establishes US-based Triumph Corp., in Maryland, a wholly-owned east coast
distribution company created to serve eastern US markets. Denis McCormack, 48, is first
president. After 1950, more Triumphs would be sold in the USA than in any other country,
including Britain. |
|
 |
 |
| Top:
1950 Thunderbird poster. Middle: Triumph star rider Jim Alves, centre, chats with an
official (far right) during one of the ISDT events. On the left is Edward Turner and right
of Alves is Henry Vale. Bottom: TRW military model. |
| The
500cc TRW is introduced for military use (see 1943). Basically it was a Trophy. It would
never receive any form of rear suspension and was the last Triumph with a rigid frame.
Almost 16,000 were made, mostly sold to Canadian and Indian armed forces. Three versions
were made: Mk 1, 2 and 3. In April, Jack Sangster and Edward Turner attend a motorcycle
show in New York. US imports of Triumph bikes are up to 1,000. The Tiger gets a 'twinseat'
bench seat. Bob Fearon joins Triumph as Works Director, from BSA, replacing the retiring
Alf Camwell.
The British team - again riding on Trophy models - wins the 1950 ISDT in Wales, and
star rider Jim Alves wins a gold medal for his success. Factory output is up to
14,306 machines, two-thirds of them for export. |
| Petrol rationing ends in Britain. The "second golden age" of
motorcycling begins as sales climb. There are over 700,000 motorcycles and 4 million cars
registered in the UK. Britain is the largest manufacturer of motorcycles in the
world. They're so positive in their outlook that British bike companies decide not to hold
an Earl's Court trade show this year, although many attend shows on the continent. Geoff
Duke makes his racing debut at the TT riding a Norton. Vincent
drops its HRD initials because of consumer confusion in the USA with Harley-Davidson. MV
Augusta debuts its first motorcycle in Italy. The last Morgan "cyclecar" is
listed, a four-cylinder, three-wheeler. Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club formed in Fontana,
California, named after a WW1 bomber squadron stationed near Los Angeles. First motorcycle
race at Thruxton, a former RAF base in Hampshire. German car manufacturer Simson makes
first motorcycle. Kreidler (German) opens its factory. Sidecar maker Watsonian produces a
996cc motorcycle but the market isn't excited, so it is soon dropped. BMW
makes first post-war boxer, the R51/2. |
|
1951
|
Triumph
Corporation (TriCor) in Baltimore (USA) starts operating with Denis
McCormack as head, Johnson as VP. They divide the US into eastern and
western territories. US imports are up to 2,730, a value of 680,000 pounds. Sangster sells Triumph to BSA for 2.5 million pounds
- the same company to which he sold Ariel in 1939. He joins the BSA
Group as member of the board. Turner's holdings in triumph earn him ten
percent of the sale.
Race kit for Tiger 100 introduced. This year's models are restyled with new paint
(painted gas tanks replace chrome on all models) and first dual seat introduced.
Thunderbird slate-blue changed to brighter, metallic shade.
Siegfried Bettmann, 88, dies on Sept. 24, leaving several bequests of Coventry,
including his library of nearly 2,000 books. |
|
 |
| Top:
Contemporary Triumph advertising poster.
Bottom: BSA logo. |
| Harley
Davidson complains about Triumph's progress in racing and marketing to the US tariff
Commission, demanding a high duty (40%) on all imported motorcycles. They
claim Triumph is 'dumping' its machines at artificially low prices. Among their witnesses
is former Triumph pioneer dealer, Reggie Pink. Walt Fulton wins Catalina Grand Prix on a
Thunderbird and Bobby Turner breaks 132 mph on a Tbird at Bonneville.
Changes to the Trophy include heads with splayed ports and barrels with closely-pitched
fins (based on T100 cylinders). This year, Triumph offers only four models, all 500cc
and up, compared to 19 models from BSA. London Police put two-way radios on motorcycles. |
| In December, Harley Davidson announces a 45ci knucklehead to
compete with British bikes. Suzuki builds first prototype motorcycle. Nacional Motor SA
(Spain) starts production of motorcycles. NSU (Germany) and Felix Wankel enter into
agreement for production research and development. Ossa (Spain) builds first motorcycles.
KTM founded in Austria, makes its first motorcycles. |
|
1952
|
Tiger 100, ridden by Bernard Hargreaves, wins Clubman's TT in Isle of Man at
82.45mph (132.68kph). By the early 1950s, demand for Manx Norton engines to power Formula
Three cars left many Manx Featherbed frames available. Designers start putting Triumph
engines into the frames, creating 'Tritons.' John Viccars was the first noted Triton
builder, putting 500cc and 650cc Triumph engines and gear boxes into Norton frames. |
 |
| 1952
Thunderbird |
The US Tariff Commission decides against HD's complaint and the hearing gives
Triumph added publicity. Harley is charged with restrictive trade practices
instead. There are 32 British motorcycle manufacturers at this year's June
show in Earls' Court.
New four-stroke single announced in November for Earl's Court show, called
the Terrier. Engine is inclined forward 25 degrees. Last year for the 349cc 3T: Turner
feels it takes precious resources away from development of bigger twins. Grand Prix model
dropped.
Triumph produces the 7ST prototype, a 734cc side-valve twin based on the TRW, known as
the 'Jumbo.' It was aimed at sidecar use, but performance was mediocre and surpassed by
the Thunderbird. A swinging-arm model was built in 1957. The 149cc,
unit-construction Terrier is announced. |
| Norton puts its parallel twin engine in a
Featherbed frame to produce the Dominator 88. Suzuki makes its first engine, a 36cc
two-stroke called the Power Free, designed to clip into a bicycle frame. Vespa scooter
launched. made under license by Douglas. Vespa sales
are 150-200 a week. Douglas soon launches a sidecar for the scooter. Wilhelm Heiz sets the
land speed record on a 500cc NSU at 180 mph. New Hudson closes. British scooter Swallow
Gadabout ceases production. First European motocross championships for individuals held.
Vespa Club of Britain formed. FIM establishes a European 500cc Championship for motocross.
AMC takes over Norton. R68 is BMW's first production model to reach 160
kmh (100 mph). |
|
1953
|
Despite
Turner's original intention to concentrate on larger engines, a 150cc ohv Terrier T15,
four-speed single with a sloping engine, is introduced at 98 pounds (125 with taxes). It's
the first lightweight for Triumph since 1933. Triumph directors Edward Turner, Bob Fearon
(Works Director) and Alex Masters (Service Manager) ride from Land's End to John O'Groat's
for a 1,000-mile Terrier demonstration and publicity stunt called the "Gaffers'
Gallop." They average 36.68 mpg and get a fuel consumption of 108.6 miles per gallon! The
race kit is dropped, replaced by the T100C with kit already installed, with twin carbs
this year only. The 5T gets an alternator. AC lighting and ignition tested on a Speed
Twin. A folding kickstand is offered as an option for the first time. Cliff Guild, master
tuner, joins TriCor. |
| American manufacturer, Indian, stops making its own motorcycles and instead
imports Royal Enfield and other British machines.
Associated Motorcycles Corp (AMC) buys Norton. They were to absorb AJS, Matchless, James
and Francis-Barnett lines but collapsed in 1966. Royal Enfield makes the 692cc Meteor, the
largest parallel twin on the market. Shaft-drive, four-cylinder Wooler promised, but
not delivered. J. Casal (Portugal) forms Metalugica Casal. MZ (Motorradwerk Zschopau)
founded in Germany. Mandatory crash helmets introduced in Britain. |
|
1954
|
Tiger
110 (T110) announced - very high performance (8.5:1 pistons), sporty version of the
Thunderbird (42bhp compared to the Tbird's 34). It's Triumph's fastest motorcycle to date,
nicknamed the "Tiger-Bird" in the USA. Swinging arm rear suspension is used on
Tigers 100 and 110 (but not the entire line). 200cc Tiger Cub T20 announced (replacing the
150cc Terrier version by 1957), "Tigerized" with a twin seat. The sprung hub, introduced
in 1939, ends production (to almost everyone's relief). The 6T gets an alternator,
swinging fork suspension and bigger bearings. A 6T/AC model includes AC ignition and
lighting. Folding kickstands are standard with all models. Triumph is now a major force
in racing in the USA. Turner makes his first visit to Japan.
The Wild One is released, starring Marlon Brando riding a 1950 Triumph
Thunderbird 6T. It is the first Hollywood film where a motorcycle's tank badge is clearly
displayed. |
 |
| Marlon
Brando rode a 1950 Thunderbird 6T in the 1954 movie, 'The Wild One' about a motorcycle
rally in Hollister, California - although based on a real rally, the events in the movie
were fictitious. However, this movie came to symbolize bikers for many in the untutored
public. |
| Flashing indicator lights become mandatory on cars in the UK. Suzuki makes
its first motorcycle, a 90cc four-stroke called the Colleda. Serious streamlining becomes
the standard on the race circuit. Vincent
Series D
released. A sales slump hits UK motorcycle companies this year. Felix Wankel (Germany)
begins work on new four-stroke engine design. Sidecar races return to Isle of Man TT for
the first time since 1926. Yamaha makes its first motorcycle. |
|
1955
|
Johnny
Allen clocks 193mph (3l0kph) on Bonneville Salt Flats, in a 650cc Triumph powered
streamliner. Amal Monobloc carbs introduced. Ford adopts Thunderbird name for new sports
car after legal agreement with Triumph. GM registers name "Bonneville" for a car
(and would challenge Triumph over the use of the name in 1992). All models now use
swing-arm frame. Centre stands are strengthened. Spark plugs changed to Lodge instead of
KLG. Amal Monobloc carb first fitted to Speed Twin. The TR6 Trophy is produced: 650cc,
built to suite AMA desert racing regulations. This is the first true "American"
Triumph model. The first models were T110 Sports engines in a TR5 chassis. The top speed
was 105 mph. More than a beefed-up 6T, the engine had several performance modifications.
The TR5 with its swing-arm frame marks the birth of the modern enduro machine.
The T100/R is announced for the US market, Triumph's first production racer since the
GP model. In October, JoMo ceases retail sales to concentrate on distribution. |
| Bert Hopwood leaves BSA for Associated
Motorcycles (Norton). Douglas introduces its last
model, the 350cc Dragonfly. Nippon Gakki founds Yamaha to to make motorcycles using
WW2 aircraft machinery. The first bike was a 125cc two-stroke single called the YA-1 or
Red Dragonfly. Royal Enfield licenses a subsidiary
company in India to make its Bullet model. Vincent
closes
in December. European bikes dominate the racing circuits. Twenty-eight scooter makes are
sold in Britain this year. There are more than 80 motorcycle manufacturers in Japan this
year, but most are driven out or business or amalgamated within a decade. German Horex
introduces its first motorcycle, the advanced Imperator 400cc twin. Suzuki starts
production of its first bike, a 125cc two-stroke. Norton
finally drops its side-valve models. Norton rocked by six-month labour
strike, causing severe financial loss. BMW produces full swinging-arm
suspension for its models. |
|
1956
|
After a boardroom struggle over power and control, Jack
Sangster becomes Chairman of BSA Group, removes Sir Bernard Docker as chair.
He appoints Turner his chief executive of the automobile division, which
also makes Triumph, BSA and Ariel motorcycles. Johnny Allen
achieves 214.4mph (345kph) at Bonneville. However Federation Internationale Motorcycliste
(FIM) cites a technicality (based on the timing gear) and refuses to recognize his world
record. Triumph takes legal action, but gets nowhere. Terrier dropped, but the Cub gets
offroad, competition and sports models. Rubber-mounted fuel tanks brought in.
The entire line gets full swing-arm suspension. |
 |
| Triumph's
Meriden factory was the Mecca for motorcyclists in the 1950s-60s. |
| The
light alloy "Ton Ten's Delta" cylinder casting is introduced to combat
overheating in iron cylinders. Last year for the 150cc Terrier. In late year, the
Thunderbird is offered in a new Aztec Red colour. A racing model, TR5/R is added. TR6
Trophy added to line - initially dubbed "Trophy-Bird" in the USA. The 650cc is
built to suit AMA desert racing regulations. This is the first true "American"
Triumph model. The first models were T110 Sports engines in a TR5 chassis. The top speed
was 105 mph. More than a beefed-up 6T, the engine had several performance modifications.
It became the most popular Triumph model until the Bonneville arrived. A
rare TR5R model was a competition bike that incorporated the best parts of
the TR5, TR6 and T100 models.
There are approximately 300 Triumph dealers in the USA. |
| BSA forms Automotive Division with Turner as
chief executive (comprises BSA, Ariel, Triumph, Daimler Co. and Carbodies - makers of
London taxicabs). Harley introduces its Sportster model. Last year for the Clubman TT
race. Sunbeam ceases production. Petrol rationing
returns to Western Europe during Suez war with Egypt. German aircraft manufacturers
introduce the Tourist, a scooter built until 1959. Motosacoche (Switzerland) ceases
motorcycle production. Suez Crisis, followed by petrol rationing, spurs
motorcycle sales in UK and Europe. BSA board ousts director Sir Bernard
Docker and replaces him with Jack Sangster. |
|
1957
|
Unit
construction 350cc 'Twenty One' 3TA (21 cubic inches, the first all-unit motorcycle made
by Triumph, designed by Turner/Wickes) introduced for 21st Anniversary of Triumph
Engineering Co. Ltd. Has first "bathtub" rear enclosure, which proves a sales
failure in US. Many US dealers remove enclosures to sell bikes. Putting this enclosure on
other models is Triumph's and Turner's first major mistake, and hurts sales in the US
where riders prefer a "naked" bike. Triumph celebrates its 21st birthday with
a grand dinner at the Hotel Leofric in Coventry, near the site of their first factory on
Priory St.
Tiger 110 offered in optional two-tone paint colours. Edward Turner builds prototype
scooter. New 'garden gate,' 'grille,' 'mouth organ' or 'harmonica' tank badge introduced
(similar to design now on 1996 Thunderbird). Triumph was the first major British firm to
go to unit construction. Amal Monobloc carbs replace SU carbs on the 6T. Speed Twin gets a
colour change to "Gold Bronze." |
| TWN Motorcycles is bought by Grundig and closed. Golden Jubilee for TT race.
First World Championship motocross race held. France's Rene Gillet closes. Leopoldo
Tartarini starts Italijet (Italy), making children's motorcycles. FIM's 500cc European
motocross championships are elevated to World Championship. FIM grants 250cc
motocross
European Championship status. |
|
1958
|
Tiger
Cub is built with a swinging-arm frame. Speed Twin dropped in old form after two
successful decades, but remodeled version remains in production until 1966 (the new form
is actually a 500cc version of the Twenty One). 3TA arrives in the USA. Mike Hailwood
and Dan Shorey win the 500-mile endurance race at Thruxton on a T110. "Slick
Shift" gearbox introduced for 500 and 650 models, offers semi-automatic transmission,
but motorcyclists dislike it and many were retrofitted with traditional shifters. The 5T
and TR5 are dropped in August, although a twin carb TR5/AD (D for Delta head) is
introduced in USA. At a press conference in October, the Tigress scooter is unveiled in
175cc two-stroke (Bantam engine) and 250cc OHV four-stroke twin-cylinder engines (also
sold as the BSA Sunbeam: the Triumph scooters were blue, BSA's were green).
Derek and Don Rickman create their first Metisse model, using a Triumph T100 engine, in
a BSA Goldstar frame and gearbox, with Norton forks. Triumph test rider Percy Tait hit 128
mph on a prototype Bonneville at the Motorcycle Industry Research Association test track.
The Bonnie is the show stopper at the 1958 Earl's Court Motorcycle Show. Edward Turner,
however, thought the Bonnie was a bad design and told Frank Baker, Triumph's experimental
department manager, "This, my boy, will lead us straight into the bankruptcy
courts."
A Tiger Cub wins the Scottish Six Day Trials, the toughest of them all. The T20/J
Junior Cub is introduced in USA. Bill Martin, California Triumph dealer, sets a new AMA
two-way record for 200cc machines on a Cub of 139.82 mph over the measured mile. A one-way
speed of 141.31 mph is recorded. Buddy Holly and the Crickets buy Triumph
motorcycles: a 6T and a TR6A trophy. |
| The first parking meters in the UK are put up in Grosvenor Square, London
Ariel Leader released, 250cc two-stroke designed by
Val Page. AMC introduces unit construction for AJS and
Matchless four-stroke singles. These are also the first 250cc machines to carry that
brand name since 1939. Last year for the Square Four ('Squariel'). Royal Enfield introduces its Crusader Air Flow
model, a 250cc machine with full fibreglass fairing and windshield. In November,
Norton announces their first 250cc machines, designed by
managing director Bert Hopwood, never very successful sellers. An Isle of Man scooter rally draws 200 entries.
Germany's Horex closes. Honda Supercub introduced: sells 720 million worldwide by 1973.
Isle of Man scooter rally draws 200 entries. First Soviet motorcycles show in the west at
the World Fair in Brussels. Victoria, Express and DKW (Germany) merge to form Zweirad
Union AG. Peugot (France) drops motorcycle production and concentrates on bicycles and
mopeds. Francisco Bulto leaves Montessa (Spain) to found his own company, Bultaco. |
|
1959
|
The
introduction of the 46bhp 650cc T120 Bonneville twin - although the model isn't even
featured in the company's own catalogue! It is basically a Tiger 110 twin (42bhp) fitted
with splayed inlet ports, single-piece camshaft and twin Amal carbs but no air filters.
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. However, despite American pressure to release a twin-carb 650, the first model,
with its nacelle and heavy mudguards is not popular in America. Tricor wanted a sportier
look. A special twin-carb trophy - TR7A - is also released this year. The 5TA (with bathtub enclosure) joins the 3TA.
175cc and 250cc Tigress Scooters also in
production, unpopular in USA. Although designed by Turner, they were actually made by BSA.
The T100 is discontinued in June but replaced by other models. |
|
 |
| Top:
Tigress Scooter. Bottom: 1959 Bonneville |
| New
model Speed Twin on the market. Bill Martin sets new AMA two-way record in a Tiger
Cub-powered streamliner (139.82 mph). He also achieves a one-way speed of 149.135 mph.
Turner designs Daimler SP250 sports car (2.5l, V-8 engine) and Majestic Major (4.5l). All
560 and 650 models get a new crankshaft. |
| Honda enters the TT race, the first Japanese manufacturer to do so. Honda
also enters US market this year, and sells 250cc Dream in Holland and the UK. Dave
Degens forms Dresda Autos to manufacture and market Tritons (Triumph engines in a Norton
Featherbed frame). More than 250,000 scooters are registered in the UK. English
motorcycling was at its peak this year, with 331,806 motorcycles, mopeds and scooters
selling. The Ariel Square Four, which started in
production in 1931, is gone. Denmark's Nimbus closes. Friedl Munch founds Munch
Motorcycles in Germany. BSA is Triumph's biggest US competitor, with 250 outlets in the
west compared to Triumph's 150. BSA 250cc twin scooters are a sales flop.
Peak year for British motorcycles: more two-wheelers registered than
before, export sales at their peak. Honda enters the TT race. |
|
1960
|
T120
revamped with twin-cradle frame and forks, separate headlamp, new seat; offers 110mph
(177kph) performance. A new Bonneville sells for 285 pounds. Thunderbird fitted with bathtub enclosure (until 1962). TR6SC Trophy
introduced, and dominated most of the major American classic competitions, including the
Jack Pine Enduro, Catalina Grand Prix and the Big Bear Run (the latter for four years in a
row). This year Johnson imports about 3,000 Triumphs (12 models) into the USA. T100A,
sports version of 5TA, without the bathtub enclosure, introduced to replace Tiger 100.
Bonnie redesigned to TR6 specs, nacelle removed.
Edward Turner tours Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha plants in Japan and is shaken by the scale
of their production: Japanese companies produce more than 500,000 motorcycles a year,
compared to 140,000 British (Honda alone turns out 1,000 lightweight motorcycles a day -
at a time when no British company could make that many in a week!). US brochures include
TR7/A Bonneville Road Sports and TR7/B Bonneville Scrambler (later became the T120C from
1961-65) this year only. Bad experiences with outside electrical components and AC
generators earn manufacturer Lucas the name, "Prince of Darkness" with Triumph
riders.
Trophy discontinued in September, but reappears in February 1961 as TR6B Trophy-Bird
Scrambler (or TR6S/S), a single-carb version of the T120. By this time there are 470,000 scooters on
British roads.
Triumph shows a Speed Twin with an electric starter at Earl's Court, but production is
limited to British police bikes. |
| BSA Group makes record profit of nearly 3.5
million pounds in its centenary year. Eric (no relation to Edward) Turner joins board as
chief executive and deputy chair. BSA starts to become a factor in decision-making at
Triumph around this time. Indian firm splits, sells Matchless motorcycles until it ceased
trading. Kawasaki builds its first complete bike, a 125cc two-stroke. They also bought
Japan's oldest motorcycle manufacturer, Meguro (founded 1924), which had been producing
copies of British bikes. Suzuki team enters TT race. Honda enters TT races with 125cc and
250cc teams and places in top 10 with both. Fewer than 60,000 motorcycles sold in the USA.
AMC posts a profit of 219,000 pds. Suzuki enters a team in the TT races. Harley-Davidson
and Italian firm Aermacchi form a new company to make and sell the Italian company's
smaller scramblers and street bikes. |
