Description
Triumph ca 1919 549 cc Model H frame # 6448 MS engine # absent
The model H is announced late in 1914 as a logical development of the famous veteran “ Trusty”. But it isn’t just a 1914 model with a countershaft gearbox: the engine differs from the veteran engine in various ways.
It has a single cam wheel with 2 cams instead of separate cam wheels for the inlet and exhaust valve.
The casting for the cylinder is entirely new, the valve head diameter is enlarged by ¼ inch and the valves are spaced further apart.
A great improvement over the 1914 style 3-speed hub is the Sturmey Archer countershaft gearbox.
The primary chain drive is enclosed by a neat aluminium cover; secondary drive is by belt.
The new model becomes available in February 1915 and most of the production goes to the British Armed forces; in 1918 the army has just over 17,000 Model H’s.
It is not until 1919 that the Model H is again available, in very small numbers, for the civilian market and many ex- army machines are sold off at surplus sales at Slough.
A large number of machines are overhauled by the factory for resale in 1919 through 1921. (source: Peter Cornelius) For detailed information on the Model “H” consult Peter Cornelius’ “The Facts” booklet, surf to http://users.actrix.co.nz/cornelius/Triumph/
This very original machine is difficult to date for us because of the unusual frame number and the absence of an engine number.
From model year 1920 sidecar lugs are added and this machine doesn’t have these lugs so we think it might be dated as ca 1919.
As can be seen on the photos this machine has been stored for many many years.
There are no dents, the bolts and nuts look untouched and the general appearance would suggest the machine has hardly been used on the road but enamelled and nickled surfaces have suffered somewhat from long storage.
A Terry-type saddle is fitted and this “H” was registered in France, the “62” in the registration number refers to Pas-de-Calais so it stayed close to its British home.
The acetylene headlamp is of unknown manufacture, the generator is a Miller product.