1921 Triumph 550
Banbury Run eligible SD model

Registration No: NL 1790
Frame No: 314252
Engine No: 75316
CC: 550
MOT: Exempt

• Authentically presented SD model with period acetylene lamps
• Numerous receipts and correspondence about the restoration
• Supplied with a buff log book, V5C, various manuals and old MOTs.

Triumph is one of the most iconic and revered names in the history of motorcycling. Established in Coventry in 1885, by the start of the 1900s the company had made its first motorcycle beginning a continuous run of production under various ownership until its eventual closure in 1983. By the mid-1920s Triumph had become one of Britain's main motorcycle and car makers, with its large factory in Coventry capable of producing as many as 30,000 motorcycles and cars each year. The 550cc 4hp Model H was launched in 1914, and fitted with a three-speed Sturmey-Archer gearbox performed sterling service in WWI with over 30,000 'Trusty Triumphs' seeing action with British and Allied forces. By the 1920s it had been updated with chain final drive to became the 'SD' (Spring Drive) because of its clutch-mounted, coil-spring shock absorber and formed the basis of the later four-valve Ricardo model.

This authentically presented SD 550cc model, still fitted with period acetylene lamps, has spent all of its life in the Northeast of England. Supplied with a buff log book stating the date of first registration as being June 1921, the first official stamp is in January 1925. There is no mention of it being a continuation logbook but it is unclear what happened between 1921 and 1925, but since then it has only had 4 owners. Bought by the third listed owner in 1966 when he was still only 21, he began a full restoration together with his friend, both of them later becoming directors of the Friends of Beamish, the museum in County Durham. The bike was then used in various rallies around the North East of England and was later passed on to his friend to join his small collection of pre-war bikes. It comes supplied with numerous receipts detailing the restoration process together with various owners and service manuals, books, old MOTs and a current V5C. Not run for the last few years, it will need recommissioning before use but is a fascinating and well-documented part of motorcycling history.

For more information, please contact:
Ian Cunningham
ian.cunningham@handh.co.uk
07415 871189