Triumph Model H facts for kids
A 1922 Triumph Model H (2005)
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| Manufacturer | Triumph Engineering Co Ltd |
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| Also called | 'The Trusty', Type H |
| Production | 1915–1923 |
| Engine | 550 cc air-cooled four-stroke single-cylinder (4 hp) |
| Power | 4 bhp |
The Triumph Model H was a famous British motorcycle. People also called it the 'Type H' or 'the Trusty'. It was built by a company called Triumph Engineering Co Ltd in Coventry, England. Between 1915 and 1923, about 57,000 of these motorcycles were made.
A Motorcycle for War
When World War I started in 1914, the British Government needed a quick way to send messages. They used despatch riders on motorcycles instead of horses. Many different motorcycles were tested. The Triumph Model H was chosen because it worked so well.
This motorcycle had a 499 cc engine. It was cooled by air and had one cylinder. The Model H was also special because it was the first Triumph motorcycle without pedals. This meant it was a true motorcycle, not a bicycle with an engine added.
The Model H had a special three-speed gearbox. This gearbox was made by a company called Sturmey-Archer. Riders changed gears using a lever by hand.
The Trusty Triumph
By the end of the war in 1918, more than 30,000 Triumph Model H motorcycles had been built. The company, Triumph Engineering Co Ltd, had used the slogan Trusty Triumph since 1910. The Model H truly earned this name. It was very reliable during the war, even in tough conditions.
However, there was one small problem. The front fork spring sometimes broke on very rough ground. To fix this, despatch riders would often tie a leather belt around it. This helped keep it from breaking.
After the war, the Model H was not fast enough for racing. Racing was a very popular reason to buy motorcycles back then. So, Triumph started making a new motorcycle. It was designed by Harry Ricardo and called the Model R Roadster. Production of the Model H stopped in 1923. By then, a total of 57,000 of these reliable motorcycles had been made.
See also
- Norton 16H
- Triumph Engineering Co Ltd
- List of Triumph motorcycles
- List of motorcycles of the 1910s
- List of motorcycles of the 1920s
