Description
This is Lot 477 in the Bonhams Spring Stafford Sale on April 20 & 21, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Norman Hyde was involved in the design and development of the Trident and their legendary racing efforts. Employed in the Experimental Department overseen by Doug Hele, Hyde later went on to build a business in the supply of spares and tuning parts for the threes, developing 850cc and 1000cc conversions which can supply power on a par with some Japanese rivals. Introduced to the public in April 1969, the T150 gained a five-speed gearbox in 1972, and in 1975 the T160 appeared, sporting an electric-start facility.
The owner of MFM 477P, a 1975 model, purchased the machine in 1977 from Bill Smith Motors Ltd. in Chester (original invoice on file). The mileage from new is only 14, 565. In 1987, at a mileage of 10, 700, the vendor fitted a Norman Hyde 1, 000cc conversion, a Lucas Rita electronic ignition system and twin front disc brakes. Following the conversion, the Trident was used sparingly for some years, until being laid up for a period in dry conditions. Awakened from storage, MFM has recently had oil and filters changed, an L P Williams oil tank anti-drain valve (it is recommended that the standard ball and spring are removed on fitting this, which was done, and the original ball and spring are included with the bike). It also had a new battery. Included with the bike is the original cylinder barrel and pistons.
Only light re-commissioning and safety checks should be required. Documentation consists of an old V5, an old-type V5C, a current V5C, the original owner's handbook, some old MoTs, a history file with invoices and other paperwork, plus the vendor's purchase invoice mentioned above.
