Thats some wait Vern!
- Dave.,,, Still looks exactly the same..
During WW2 the Allies needed a bike that was a certain weight, could haul a certain weight. Could maintain a certain speed, good center of gravity, easy to repair, few parts as possible. Harley, Indian, Triumph, BSA and others made and entered their bikes.... This Triumph TRW 500cc Flathead model won!!. They got the contract... Unfortunately,, a short time after winning the Allied contract they got bombed,,,and bombed bad.. It was over and the 2nd place bike was put in production. The H-D. WLA 750cc Flahthead. A great bike! I owned one for many years in various forms [chopper, flat tarck racer ,etc.]
- * There is another story about this model!
That it was designed in 1943 for use in the war effort. However by the time the bike was finished, the war was over and so Triumph was left with a surplus of bikes. I never really checked in to it hard. But,,there are a few model registries and so far I haven't seen a wartime bike or even a late 40s...
anyway,,,Few years after the war Triumph factory was in full production again but went with the new 'Overhead valve' motor. Yes, much faster, higher top end etc.
But the tooling for the TRW was in perfect condition so they made a limited run for a few years. Most went to Canada and the Netherlands... Parts now are extremely hard to find. Took me a year to find a rear ammo can rack! Then they wouldn't send to the US.. actually had a forum member buy it for me and send. This piece was wrapped in its 1950 wrapping and had to be repainted etc. The bike will never look new and beautiful. It is worth the most as a UNrestored original running motorcycle.. So,,it still needs a piece or 2. Major piece coming end of month.
Its very easy to kickstart which is important for me as most kick start bikes have them on the right side,,and my right hip has already been replaced.. Runs on the worst of gasoline. Few moving engine parts. Does approx 70 mph with me on it. I give it a couple mile ride every week or so. I rarely have to travel more than 30 mile or so during my week . In another month it will be my daily runner except when the snow is on the ground.
Great mechanical site:
https://tdvma.blogspot.com/2013/02/triumph-trw-cylinder-en-kleppen.html * Here is a fully restored example. a 57. It is selling for $10K,,doesn't run nor does it have a proper title!.