Triumph Motorcycles in 1954

Now that Triumph is making a big come back in Europe and in the US, it’s time to watch again this original B/W film about the machining, assembly, the use of Triumphs by police in Paris and London and of course some racing.

8 Responses to “Triumph Motorcycles in 1954”


  1. 1 Richard Nov 26th, 2011 at 2:43 pm

    I really enjoyed watching this old film (probably because I’m also old). I had shivers run down my spine when early on, they showed the headlight being wirered. It made me think of “The Prince Of Darkness” aka “Lucas Electrics”. I got the same chill later on when the Lucas signs were posted at the races. Apparently some fears never die. Also, I thought the “break in/seating” process was interesting. The engines were not fired up. They powered the bikes with a rear wheel roller. No load, No heat, no cylinder pressure except compression load. This is NOT the way it’s done today. Shows how much things change. Anyway, fun to watch.

  2. 2 Kirk Perry Nov 26th, 2011 at 6:45 pm

    I don’t think there was a prettier primary cover than Triumphs, 50’s cast, polished, aluminum one. I had a 1952, 28 cu. in., 650 Thunderbird with one. Nice bikes. Plenty of punch 3rd to 4th.
    Fun film, thanks
    ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    We wished that HD and Triumph would have kept at least one model (57 Panhead & pre-unit Bonneville) as “always manufactured”. You could order one, even in 2011, and there would always be spare parts for the one model.
    The alternative would be to build a replica.
    I probably have 40K in mine, with mis-steps and returns, and with no regrets what-so-ever. The 57 Panhead always jazzed me. Still does. 🙂

  3. 3 nicker Nov 26th, 2011 at 11:30 pm

    Lots of the available pre-unit Triumph motors were lost to the Japanese in the the late 1960’s early 70’s (?).

    The Japanese introduced high-stakes-betting on MC circle track racing.
    This particular racing formula specified pre-uint Triumph motors.

    Strange looking bikes set up to broad-slide around a tight black-top oval covered with garnet chips.
    Riders wore protective suits of leather & steel mesh.
    Strange stuff.

    There were Japanese going through the San Francisco Bay area buying up all the used pre-unit motors they could get their hands on…. 🙁

    They didn’t get my stash…….. 🙂

    -nicker-

  4. 4 Kirk Perry Nov 27th, 2011 at 12:42 am

    “Riders wore protective suits of leather & steel mesh.”
    ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    So that’s where they all went.

    Roughed-off by furrin’ers ! 🙂

  5. 5 Zipper Nov 27th, 2011 at 8:51 am

    Triumph the Quintessential Motorcycle. ..Z

  6. 6 Kustoms and Choppers Magazine Nov 27th, 2011 at 4:36 pm

    I love this old 50s films and i love the old 50s Triumphs always makes me think of “The Wild One”

  7. 7 Boss Hawg Nov 27th, 2011 at 11:40 pm

    Thoroughly enjoyed the video Cyril.

    Many thanks,
    Boss Hawg

  8. 8 chuckster Dec 1st, 2011 at 5:48 pm

    I’ve got one of the new Bonnies and love it. The Hinkley Bonnies are bulletproof these days.

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Cyril Huze