1971 Triumph Trophy

CE24884T100C

1969 Triumph Trophy Frame no. CE24884T100C Engine no. CE24884T100C International Six Days Trial successes in the late 1940s prompted Triumph to adopt the 'Trophy' name for their off-road-styled twins, at first for the 500cc TR5 and then for the 650cc TR6, introduced for 1956. The bigger Trophy retained its sporting character but became more of a roadster as time passed, ending up, in effect, as a single-carburetor T120 Bonneville, whose specification in all other respects it closely followed. More tractable than the Bonnie and more economical too, the Trophy gave little away in terms of outright performance, its standing quarter-mile time and top speed being within a whisker of its twin-carb sibling's. However, although the pair possessed an impeccable engine, Triumph's larger models were widely recognized as lacking in the handling department, especially when compared to rivals Norton. Following the wholesale changes of frame layout in the late pre-unit era, a single down-tube design was introduced on the 650cc 'unit' twins for 1963, although even this would undergo several detail alterations over the next eight years. By the decade's end the 650 Triumphs had arrived at what most enthusiasts agree is the models' ultimate incarnation, and today these late, pre-'oil-in-frame' 650s are becoming increasingly sought after by collectors on both sides of the Atlantic. This nicely presented matching numbers example from 1971, in Blue with White, shows a little more than 9,000 miles on the odometer. Mechanic owned, the bike has been kept in good running order and runs well. Brakes and suspension are both excellent with a fully operational electrical system. It is currently missing one indicator, but that is on order and will be fitted to the bike before delivery. It was recently fitted with a new battery. Cosmetically, the bike is in very good condition. The tank was repainted some time ago in perfectly correct colours and shows very little wear. There is some pitting to the chrome, conducive with the time since restoration. Side-panels have some wear to the paint surface. The seat is an older recover, again with little sign of wear. And the pipes sound great!