27? Triumph

[aikenscout]

Need to know what year/model this is exactly. Recently purchased from museum auction. (Post in British bike section got no replies). It was labeled as both a 26 and a 27.  Here is what I can see on it:
Frame number -
1005926.  This is on the front steering head and under the seat.
Engine info on front of engine -
Type KS1  
16125A      525
Right side engine case in back is a large "T27".
I can post specific parts if that would help.
I have searched for over 3 weeks now, and have found very little info on pre-war units. Found a list of Triumph frame/engine numbers on a few websites, but none of my numbers match up.

[Rick_Parkington]

The tension spring forks on this bike were new for the 1927 season - which bean in October '26. The bike looks like the popular Model P 500cc side valve but the drum rear brake makes it (I think) the Deluxe version known as the Model N.  This actual bike is listed in the VMCC register with engine number 251726, reg. OU 2564.
Hope this helps, Rick

[aikenscout]

Thanks so much for the reply. Yes, that number is on the engine, I forgot to list that. That exact registration number is on the back plate on the bike. All the pics I have found on this era Triumph have a leather strap on the rear wheel, so it's just some more mystery. Also don't see any others with the oil tank like this one has. Lot of controls/levers on this bike I don't know what they are all for. Can guess of course. Like to get a manual for it on operation. Looks like it would take 5 hands to run this thing. My 41 741 Indian Scout is bad enough with the foot clutch, left hand throttle, right hand ignition timing. This one makes that one look easy. There is a foot lever running a cable that goes to that oil tank also. You pump oil into the motor maybe? Also 2 cables to the carb. One throttle, one for mixture? I will go with the 27 model N unless someone else has a better idea. I also would like to see this classic get a good home. Should be in another museum, or be "back home" "across the pond". It won't be appreciated here in the US like it should. I have enough with the Harley crowd with my 2 Indians.  Very little interest here in the Carolina's. Anybody need any Indian help, let me know. I also have a 2003 Scout. The new Indian company is up the road a few hours in North Carolina, they may have a new Chief by 08/09. What I really want is a 38/39 Chief. The miracle would be if someone wanted to trade! Any other info or links to sites that would have something on this model would be much appreciated. Great site here, glad I found it.




my 41:

[aikenscout]

Forgot to mention the VMCC registry. I found the website but I assume you would have to be a member to look up the entry. I wonder if the owner of the museum in Orlando FL, bought it in the UK a few years ago.
Also what does the OU 2564 mean exactly? Would that be the gov't registration the bike had when it was still on the road way back when, or something newer. Not a clue how it works. Here in the US the registry numbers change like the wind. A vehicle here could have dozens of numbers in it's lifetime.

[m3bobby]

OU 2564 is the registration of the bike. When it was first sold it would need to be registered with the government department who deal with vehicles. It could be the original registration, or even older as people used to take the reg no. to there new vehicle. The OU of the reg, will refer to the area it was first registerd.

[TriSpec]

Only just got back to looking at this site but saw your query on both listings.
This machine started 'life' when it was assembled at the Coventry Works in May 1927. For some reason it didn't find an owner until about July 1929, and that was in Southampton, Hampshire.  (That's what my reseaches and the registration tell me.) It was/is a Model N, which has been mentioned as an updated Model P, which is correct, for included amongst many other improvements was an oil pump within the crankcase but as this was a new thing the tank hand pump was kept so that riders could give a hand pump if they didn't trust the automatic pump. However, on this bike the oil outlet from the oil compartment in the tank is not being used (thanks for all the pictures), and a separate 1928/29 oil tank from a Model N de Luxe has been added on the saddle down-tube.
The bike was listed in the VMCC registers from 1969 and the last report I received on it was that it was seen at the Stafford Show in 2006 (presumably for sale) and was in need of restoration. Since then it has obviously been at least given a coat of paint and found its way to the US.

The 'T27' and 'T' stampings on the tappet positions of the crankcase are not original Triumph marks.
The Model R had an over-head valve engine and this is obviously a side-valver (494cc).
Model H production finished in 1924.

I have written 17 booklets covering various Triumph models and one covers the Models N and QA (Sports version of the N). The auxilliary oil tank information is included in the booklet covering the Models N de Luxe and NL, for as mentioned it was not fitted to the standard Model N. If you are interested, or anyone else who might read this, sent me an e-mail at <peter@triumph.gen.nz> The booklets cover most (still writing to fill the gaps) Triumph models from 1901 to 1934.

Peter
(Triumph specialist for the VMCC of Britain, but now resident in New Zealand)

[aikenscout]

Thanks Peter, that's a wealth of information. Explains why all the pics I have found so far on other bikes do not have the oil tank. Sounds like this ol' Triumph has had quite a history. Sort of confirms my guess, that the last owner bought it from the UK to put in his museum. He had the largest Triumph collection in the US, mostly post war though. This was the only pre-war one he had I beleive.  For insurance and for my well being, I would like to know a approximate value. I can't find anything available on that. Last time I was in England was 20 years ago. The pound/dollar ratio was just a tad different.