Triumph Motorcycles

I went to the auction at Meriden with a friend of mine who wanted a desk, when we arrived the machinery was being auctioned, so we went into the works club for a drink to waste a bit of time till the office equipment was auctioned. In there was a very sad looking man, the barman said he had worked for Triumph all his life and the occasion had got a bit much for him. We looked round again and he was crying which made us feel like vultures, so we bought him a drink and left, it was a very sombre moment

Hi Catshed. I worked for a short time with a guy called Hughie Hancox and he had the best restored Cub I have ever seen. Have you come across him at all?

Hughie Hancox worked for many years at Meriden. After the closure of Triumph he had his own business restoring Triumph motorcycles. He specialised in pre-unit models. I got in touch with him years ago regarding a problem with my 1973 Bonneville. He couldn't help me as it was "far too modern!" Hughie also wrote an excellent book titled 'Tales of the Triumph Factory' which I would thoroughly recommend as a very entertaining read

I also believe he worked on the Wilkinson Sword bike that is in the Motor Cycle Museum.

Any info on this film please? It is a link to a British pathe film showing Coventry made motorcycles being tested prior to being used for WWI. The clip maybe back to front as during the clip it shows Triumph Works spelt backwards. Does it show Canley Ford at the start?

I think it may be Kenilworth Ford.

Just googled it and it is Kenilworth Ford. Well done Annewiggy Where was the Triumph works? Any idea where that hill is any one? Newbold Comyn?

Sadly Hughie Hancox passed away about 2/3 years ago.

Fascinating clip Deano - thanks for sharing That's definitely Kenilworth. Would have be a real rural trip to the country for those testers back then. I think those factory images would have been at Much Park Street - the original Triumph works before it moved to Priory Street.

Founder of Triumph motor cycles sent to Coventry - link.

I've just bought myself a Triumph motorcycle of 1961, you can never have too many bikes. I'm keen to find out as much as I can about the firm but cannot find anything on here, or am I not looking in the right place.

I once owned a Tiger 100, 1951 I think, it was the model with that infernal sprung hub. Most reluctant to go round corners. Having part exchanged an Ariel SQ 4 for it I was a tad disappointed. Had oil leaks from the join in the crank case that I was never able to cure, suspect a distorted case. No doubt it was a one off as far as troubles were concerned. I think my Tiger was one of the first Triumphs to have a coil ignition. Could be wrong, had so many bikes over the years. Later part exchanged the Tiger for a Matchless G45 and except trouble getting the twin carbs' balanced it was an excellent bike. I still occasionally ride now in spite of my age. Norman.

My father worked for Triumph Motorcycles for 50 years - from 1944 to 1994. Covering the original Triumph Engineering Co. through the Co-operative days to John Bloor's Hinckley project. Probably the only person to do so. If there's any info in particular you are after Matchle55 I could ask him.

Thank you for the replies received. I have bought and read the books by Hughie Hancocks who was a renowned engine builder at Triumph. I'm sure, Greeny, your dad would have come across him. I'm looking for a book called "Turners Twins" a profile of the MD of the firm Edward Turner. It's ironic, this is the first Triumph I've had in 50 years of biking, maybe I should have taken more of an interest in the firm. For those with an interest the bike in question is a 1961 Trophy.

Hi Matchle55 Have you read Triumph, The complete Story by Ivor Davies published in 1991, a good history of the company. Also It's easy on a Triumph by the same author.