Triumph put a stamp on the industry early on, and made some wonderful motorcycles over the years – one million in fact! The story of Triumph is one of grit and determination… let us rewind back to the start of this incredible company, and to an important little motorcycle that featured the first in-house Triumph motor.
The Triumph concern was started by Siegfried Bettmann in 1884 and began life as an import/ export company. The enterprise soon moved into the bicycle game, and in 1902, Triumph dipped their toes into the rising world of the motorcycle with their first prototype. It was denoted the No.1 and was simple in form – a sturdy bicycle style frame, with a single-cylinder, 2.2bhp Belgian Minerva clip on engine.
Triumph were not one to depend on others however, and despite a wide availability of proprietary units on the market, the company decided that it was time to build their own. Triumph wanted to make stronger, more durable units capable of higher mileage between overhauls, and that came in 1905 when they introduced their very own 3hp 363cc (78 x 76mm bore and stroke) unit – the creation of drawing office man Charles Hathaway.
In a bid to market the new bike, Triumph approached motorcycling Priest “Ixion” (Canon (Rev.) Basil Henry Davies) – to ride, test and report on the performance. Ixion would ride one of the new 3hp Triumphs for 200 miles a day for six days in a row – a publicity stunt to demonstrate the capability of the new bike.
Ixion was a rider and a pundit who was known for his contribution and columns in The Motor Cycle (one of the foremost motorcycling periodicals), in which he provided a window into the ever popular motorcycle movement… and he did this very well, with a detailed knowledge of the industry gained through relationships with those at a grass-root level, and with characters who had been involved in the sport from the outset. Ixion tested and reviewed an eclectic mix of motorcycles through his time, and this included the new Triumph 3hp in 1905.
So, back to the performance test. Ixion would start from the George Hotel in Oxford and complete a 200 mile loop out to various destinations over six days to put the machine through its paces.
The 3hp itself was basic, with no clutch and an un-sprung front fork – combine that with the gravel and dirt roads of the time and this created a testing ride. There were some set backs along the way, including a broken frame, and a worn piston ring and cylinder bore. Ixion details these issues in his scrapbook:
“Shocks were in store for both Schulte and myself. Late on the fifth day the machine suddenly began to feel as if it were floating on jelly. A hasty dismount showed that the duplex down tubes of the diamond frame had fractured. Moreover, the engine power had been steadily fading throughout the 1,000 miles already covered, and hasty examinations proved that the piston rings and cylinder bore had both worn unconscionably fast, while the exhaust valves were pitting almost to the scaling point. I do not know why Schulte had varied the standard frame, but within a few hours he had readied a second machine with the normal frame layout. Nothing could be done about the piston rings or valves. When I started off again on the following Monday I was well aware that, day by day, the vigour of the light pedalling assistance required on hills would increase in quite a sharp ratio. I inserted a new exhaust valve every evening, grinding it into the seat as well as conditions permitted. This time everything went well, and the 1,200 miles were reeled out with consummate ease, except so far as my calf muscles were concerned!”
It was quite an accomplishment for the time, and a big green tick in the box for Triumph who could now market a proven machine. It also helped Triumph understand and overcome issues associated with serious use – for example the diamond frame configuration was shown not to be fit for use, and so the company reverted back to the original single downtube.
In 2015 the tracks of Ixion were recreated and celebrated by a bunch of veteran motorcycle enthusiasts that included Nick Jonckheere on his wonderful 1905 Triumph (engine 314) – one of one that is known to be in running order. The bike has been restored mechanically, and has been sympathetic to the original condition of the motorcycle. It even runs on the original piston!
A route was devised that followed the original as much as possible, with plenty of country lanes to help replicate the types of road that would have existed in 1905. A support car accompanied Nick on the run, driven by fellow Triumph motorcycle owner Paul Gander, and Dave and Jenny Pittuck also shadowed the run as tender crew.
This may all sound easier said than done. This old motorcycle was at the height of simplicity, with direct drive from the engine, through a belt to the rear wheel. Therefore, stopping the bike, means stopping the engine with the valve lifter – not so simple on modern roads with traffic lights, and in particular in Winchester City Centre! Steep inclines also present a problem for this motorcycle, which can only climb to a certain gradient – this meant that on occasions Nick had to jump out of the saddle, and push the machine up hill!
Nick completed the 200 mile loop from Cornmarket Street in Oxford (the George Hotel is now a bank) down through the New Forest and with a pit stop at the Beaulieu National Motor Museum where he is pictured below with the museums 1903 Triumph 2.5hp – thought to be the oldest roadworthy Triumph in the world. It is not very often that you will see two extremely old and rare Triumphs parked up next to each other.
A fleeting tour around the museum, and Nick was back on the road to complete the 200 mile loop. There was only one small mishap when the motorcycle started to misfire near to Sulhamstead, which required a temporary fix to the magneto. The trusty Triumph was back up and firing, and took Nick back to Cornmarket Street. The fourteen hour trip was a humble nod to the eccentric journalist that brought the motorcycle to life for so many people, and a testament to the quality of the early Triumph motorcycles.
Thanks to Nick Jonckheere for the above photo and for taking the time to remember Ixion and his travels. The photos of this Triumph were taken at the 2024 Where Is Anna Run in Belgium.
Click on the link for a video where Nick takes you around the motorcycle, explains the controls, and takes you on a POV ride through the countryside.
an article by The Girder Club
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