The Green House Farm Collection, 1914 Triumph 550cc Motorcycle Combination

• Formerly part of the Murray Motorcycle Museum collection
• Purchased in the early 2000s
• An older restoration
• Successfully completed several Pioneer Runs
• Original Triumph Gloria sidecar

The first Triumph motorcycle of 1902 used a Belgian Minerva engine, but within a few years the Coventry firm - originally a bicycle manufacturer founded by German immigrants Siegfried Bettman and Maurice Schulte - was building its own power units. The first of these - a 298cc single-cylinder sidevalve - arrived in 1904. This first engine was not without its weaknesses, pistons and bores wore out quickly and the curious 'tandem down-tube' frame in which it was installed broke, but these shortcomings were soon sorted and within a couple of years 'Triumph' was a byword for reliability. The famous 3½hp model first appeared in 1907. Originally of 453cc, its sidevalve engine was enlarged to 476cc in 1908 and finally to 499cc in 1910 before being superseded by the 550cc 4hp model in 1914.
This 4hp Triumph motorcycle combination came from the Murray Motorcycle Museum in the Isle of Man. It was purchased in early 2000s so that the vendor's sons could take part in the Pioneer Run, which they did from ages four to eight years, two at a time sitting in the adapted seating in the sidecar. On purchase, the vendor advises the three-speed rear hub and the engine were overhauled, the latter receiving a new big-end bearing, main bearings, valves and guides, while the magneto was refurbished. It is believed that the wickerwork is all original, and the combination comes with the original cover for the Triumph Gloria sidecar and an umbrella in wicker sheath. An extra brace has been fitted between the motorcycle and sidecar to improve handling. Since restoration 'AH 2601' has completed several London-to-Brighton Pioneer Runs.
The machine has been kept in heated, dry storage with all fuel drained and carburettors cleaned following each use. Although not used very often in recent years, it has been periodically started. The vendor is thinning down his collection, hence the reason for sale. Accompanying paperwork consists of a Pioneer Certificate and current V5C.

It should be noted that the V5C records the engine number as '35942WVD' (actually '35942'). The combination also comes with a photograph of it completing in an early 1970s Pioneer Run, ridden by early VMCC member Frank Bussey.
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