Triumph 1911/14 TT 3½ HP 499 cc 1 cyl sv 3602

Triumph 1911/14 in TT roadster trim 3 ½ HP 499 cc frame # 190190 engine # 31277 TTU

Winning the single cylinder class in the 1908 TT races on the Isle of Man gave an enormous boost to sales of Triumph machines. From 1909 on a special “TT roadster” model was to appear in the catalogues. In the 1910 TT eight Triumphs started, of which five were ridden by amateurs. All of them finished the 158 mile course; in fact they were the first eight single cylinder machines to finish, showing again the reliability of the Trusty Triumph.
The TT model has a somewhat shorter frame than the standard model and the pedalling gear is dispensed with. On a new machine two sets of adjustable footrests were fitted, “ to allow the rider to adopt an upright or racing position”.
The machine we present here is a bit of a “special”: the frame number refers to a very late 1911 model of which the seating position has been lowered, This was done in a professional way, probably when the machine was only a few years old; from 1914 this lower position was standard and quite a few older bikes were modernised at the time. Instead of the usual Triumph front forks this machine has been fitted with Druid forks, possibly to acquire a better roadholding for fast riding. The rear frame is the standard frame for a machine with pedalling gear, but at the pedal gear position a set of footrests is fitted. A practical fitting is the hub clutch, so that the engine can be kept running when the machine is stationary. The engine was assembled in January, 1914. This authentic “special” with weathered look is in good technical condition and comes with Pioneer Certificate, sports handlebars, spare tube carrier, two sets of footrests, leather kneepads, spare belt and triangular spare oil can.