Description
National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
Viewing: Tues 24th March from 1pm
Auction: Wed 25th March from 9am
Location: National Motorcycle Museum, Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull B92 0EJ
1912 Triumph 3½hp 499cc 'Free Engine'
Pioneer Register history from the 1950s
Estimate
£8, 000 - £9, 000
Registration No: HO 4051
Frame No: 193669
MOT: Exempt
Discovered and refurbished in the 1950s, and preserved as an 'oily rag'
A very useable 'Free Engine' model with the rear hub clutch
A veteran of many Pioneer Runs, complete with Pioneer Certificate
Perhaps the first great marque of British motorcycling, the inaugural motorised Triumph appeared in 1902 when Siegfried Bettmann and Maurice Schulte affixed a Minerva engine to one of their bicycle frames. Early products soon earned the nickname of “trusty Triumphs,” with Jack Marshall riding one to second in the first T. T. in 1907, and winning it in 1908. For 1909, the ‘Free Engine’ models appeared with a rear hub clutch, and annual production reached 3, 000. The first 500cc models appeared in 1910.
This beautiful ‘oily rag’ 1912 Triumph 3½hp was discovered in the 1950s by Mike Sherwin, who mechanically refurbished it and introduced it to vintage and Pioneer events. It was acquired by our vendor in 2016. Up to recent years, it has completed a large number of Pioneer Runs, and we are advised that the hub clutch works well, and so does the rear brake. As with most Pioneers, the front brake is chiefly of use when running the bike on the stand. The petrol gauge sight glass requires some attention, and light recommissioning will be required after a couple of years’ inactivity, but fresh petrol and SAE40, plus some ATF on the rear hub, ought to get it going. Complete with V5C and Pioneer Certificate, it will be very welcome on the Pioneer Run again.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people).
