1927 Triumph TT Racer – National Motorcycle Museum

This Triumph was ridden to third place in the Isle of Man Senior TT by Tommy Simister. The Birkenhead rider fell off at the downhill Creg-ny-Baa corner on the first lap, but although the machine landed on top of him, he restarted quickly and kicked a bent footrest straight as he went along. After finishing the seven-lap race, averaging of 65.75mph for 264 miles, Simister admitted that he had come close to crashing again when he ran wide at another corner. When stripped after the race, the engine was found to be in near-perfect condition.

Simister was the highest placed of the seven Triumph riders in the race. The other three who completed the course included 13th finisher Hugh Tyrell Smith, who went on to win the Junior TT for Rudge in 1930.

Triumph’s team was managed by Brooklands track specialist Vincent ‘Vic’ Horsman. The twin-port single, raced in the 1926 TT and catalogued from 1927, was based on a Triumph-derived engine that Horsman developed and used to break numerous speed records.

While six of the TT team were full works riders, Simister was entered by Horsman. Notable modifications seen on his machine include a two-piece fuel tank held by steel straps, a separate cylindrical oil tank and an 8in diameter front brake, much larger than the typical drum brake of the period. Bright nickel plating provided a durable, easy-to-clean finish as well as making the machine stand out, even at close to 90mph.

Specification

Engine: 498cc (80 x 99mm) air-cooled overhead valve single, Amal carburettor, magneto ignition.

Transmission: Chain primary drive, multi plate clutch, three-speed gearbox, chain final drive.

Chassis: Tubular open-bottomed frame, girder fork front suspension, drum brakes.

Wheels: 20in front, 19in rear

Top speed: 88mph (estimated)

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Posted by Digidiverdave on 2012-01-14 16:38:14

Tagged: , veteran , vintage , motors , historic , Classic Bike , David Henshaw , Motorcycle , National Motorcycle Museum , Triumph

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