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The ultimate illustrated reference for Triumph lovers and fans of British motorcycles, this revised and updated third edition collects all the motorcycles from this iconic brand through 2024. Originally formed as a bicycle company in 1885, Triumph produced its first motorcycle in 1902, which was simply a bicycle fitted with a Belgian Minerva engine. From there, the company, in various iterations, went on to build some of the most iconic motorcycles of all time.
Written by respected Triumph expert Ian Falloon, the third edition of
The Complete Book of Classic and Modern Triumph Motorcycles: 1937 to Todaycovers all the major and minor models, including:
- The legendary 1937 Speed Twin
- Era-defining motorcycles such as the Thunderbird, Tiger, Trophy, and Bonneville
- Modern machines such as the Speed Triple, Thruxton, Tiger adventure bikes, Speed 400, and Rocket III
- Non-production models and factory racing and speed-record-setting motorcycles that have become integral parts of Triumph’s stellar reputation
Detailed
technical specifications are included alongside
compelling photography, much of it sourced from Triumph’s archives. Sidebars offer Triumph
cultural snapshots like The Wild One film, actor James Dean, land-speed record setters, Steve McQueen’s racers, and competition stories.
This is the book no Triumph fan should be without!
List of contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Where It All Began
1 1937–1949: Before and After the War
The Speed Twin, Tiger 100, 3T, Grand Prix, and TR5 Trophy
2 1950–1955: America and the World’s Fastest Motorcycle
The Thunderbird, T110 and T100 Tiger, Speed Twin, and TR5 Trophy
3 1956–1962: Birth of Iconic 650s
The Trophy and Bonneville
4 1963–1970: Unit Construction 650s
Bonnevilles, Trophys, and Tigers
5 1971–1975: Turmoil Times
Norton Villiers Triumph and the Meriden Blockade
6 1976–1987: The Last Hurrah
Meriden Cooperative and Les Harris Bonnevilles
7 1990–1996: Resurrection at Hinckley
The Modular Approach; Spine-Frame Triples and Fours
8 1997–2002: Consolidation
Second Generation: New Frames and Fuel Injection
9 2003–2009: After the Fire—Bigger Cruisers and Classics
The Rocket III, Thruxton, Daytona 675, Scrambler, and Street Triple
10 2010–2024: Building on Tradition
Larger Thunderbirds, Tigers, Trophys, Bonnevilles, Scramblers, and new Singles
Index
About the author
Ian Falloon was born in New Zealand and studied engineering and music at Victoria University, Wellington. He is one of the world's leading motorcycle historians and a regular contributor to motorcycle magazines worldwide including Classic Bike, Cycle World, Two Wheels, Motorcycle Sport, and Australian Motorcycle News. Ian has authored more than fifty books to date, from his first title, The Ducati Story, through histories of BMW, Honda, Kawasaki, and Moto Guzzi. His Motorbooks titles include The Complete Book of BMW Motorcycles, The Complete Book of Ducati, The Complete Book of Moto Guzzi, The Complete Book of Classic and Modern Triumph Motorcycles, and The Art of Ducati. With an interest and passion spanning decades, Ian also collects and restores older motorcycles, including Ducati, MV Agusta, BMW, Laverda, and Moto Guzzi. He lives in Melbourne, Australia, and is supported in his projects by his family.
Summary
This revised, updated edition of The Complete Book of Classic and Modern Triumph Motorcycles details the technical development and ever-evolving story of the classic Triumph motorcycle line—from 1937’s Speed Twin to today’s leading street, adventure, and sports machines.
