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Motorcycle Discussions => British Bikes => Topic started by: Flying_H on February 15, 2008, 07:58:01 AM

Title: 1958 triumph frame and engine numbers
Post by: Flying_H on February 15, 2008, 07:58:01 AM

I have a 1958 triumph with the number 21 before the H 2347 number. Does anyone know what this means?

Title: Re:  1958 triumph frame and engine numbers
Post by: TBS on February 15, 2008, 06:08:40 PM

unit construction 350cc.( 21 cubic inches)

Title: Re:  1958 triumph frame and engine numbers
Post by: L.A.B. on February 15, 2008, 09:09:53 PM

Also known as a '3TA' model.


http://www.vintagebike.co.uk/Bike%20Directories/Triumph%20Bikes/pages/Triumph-3T-58.htm

Title: Re:  1958 triumph frame and engine numbers
Post by: Krustybiker on April 17, 2008, 06:41:58 AM

Whilst 21 cubic inches is right, it was introduced in 1957, 21 years after Triumph went bust and were rescued by BSA. Whatever reason they called it 21, it was still a dog.

But it did lead to the unit T100 which, being a short stroke, had great potential so I must forgive it. Did I say I've got a Daytona?

Title: Re:  1958 triumph frame and engine numbers
Post by: L.A.B. on April 17, 2008, 07:01:39 AM

Quote

21 years after Triumph went bust and were rescued by BSA.

It was actually Jack Sangster (Ariel) that bought up the Triumph Company in the mid thirties.
When he sold Triumph to BSA in 1951 it was very much a going concern I believe?

Title: Re:  1958 triumph frame and engine numbers
Post by: Krustybiker on November 18, 2008, 11:57:09 AM

In 1936, Triumph were going belly up, and were bought up by Ariel, owned by Jack Sangster. A new manager was brought in, a chap named Ted Turner. Later, Sangster was concerned that the company would suffer from hefty death duties upon his demise (I always thought that was a funny thing to think about!) so the company was sold to BSA.

Hence, 21 years later, a new motorcycle needed a name, and Tiger didn't really fit a 18bhp slug, so to celebrate the saving of the company, and the fact that the engine was 21 cu in, the name was brought in.