Trusty Triumph

While we celebrate the resurgence of modern Triumph motorcycles, it’s easy to overlook the marque’s major contribution to motorcycling itself which took place over a hundred years ago. Had it not been for Triumph’s first ‘era of greatness’, argues Timothy Pickering, the powered two-wheeler could have vanished from Britain’s roads long before the classic bike was invented… Frank Melling’s otherwise…

Triumph Visitor Experience

Triumph has a long history of making motorcycles which stretches all the way back to 1902. The firm’s history falls into two distinct parts* – the classic bike side and the modern motorcycles – and these are reflected in the company’s new Visitor Experience. Frank Melling has visited, and is experienced… First, there is what is usually called ‘Meriden’ Triumph…

Stafford Show Report

Each year, the line separating classic British steeds from Japanese classics seems to blur a little more, with some vintage Oriental iron now being 50 years old. Add in the usual suspects from Italian and German manufacturers, and the result is a classic bike show with something for all tastes… as Morgan Rue found out on an unseasonably warm October…

Triumph Thunderbird

Back in the early 1980s, Triumph built a budget 650; a short-stroke version of the 750 Bonneville. These days the TR65 Thunderbird is proving to be a rewarding practical classic bike for one regular rider… ‘As I age,’ says RC regular Mark Holyoake, ‘my taste in bikes has changed. Gone are the days of race-reps and the like; I have…

Classic bikes for sale

As usual, the monthly magazine includes an eclectic collection of classic bikes you can buy. Here’s a tempting selection of some private-sale classic motorcycles from our Small Ads, including two radically different Triumphs, an Ariel off-roader, a BMW bruiser and one of Kawasaki’s more civilised two-stroke triples… TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE 750. 1977 T140J Silver Jubilee. 14,700 miles. £6400ono. 0191 551 6517…

Classic Bike Auction

As usual, the autumn Stafford Show will host a Bonhams auction of classic motorcycles. Some 200 classic bikes will go under the hammer and we’ll be keeping an eye on our favourites. Some folks focus on the exclusive array of upmarket machines in these sales, and there are Gold Stars, Broughs, Vincents and Manx Nortons aplenty. There’s also a superb…