The Triumph TRW is a fascinating machine that has become increasingly coveted in military collector circles in recent years. These 1950’s military Triumphs were never sold to the public (new from the manufacturer), which is a shame because these bikes (in my opinion) embody many quintessential elements of antique British motorcycles with its classic lines and recognizably British touches such as the rubber knee pads and Smith’s instrumentation built into the headlight. These machines may lack the popularity of more iconic military bikes like the BSA WM20, but are no less unique in their design, especially when first rolling off their respective assembly lines.
As with most bikes, various changes were made to the TRW over the years. The first models were fitted with an SU carb but later models got a Solex Type 26 WH-Z carb. The electronics were handled by a Lucas alternator fixed to the left side of the crank and a magneto ensured the spark plugs did their job. Though Triumph had dabbled with building bikes with alternators like in their 3TW model, some sources claim this was the first time a production vehicle would get one. The frame on the TRW is reportedly pretty rigid, paired with (a claimed) 5.5″ of travel in the suspension and 7″ brakes, front and back.
Powering the TRW was a 500cc side-valve twin engine with a four-speed gearbox connected to a four-spring clutch through a single-row primary-chain. This bike just exudes cool with its chipped and weathered military livery and (very) old-school design, but it’s the side-valve 1950’s engine that gives this machine even more character. Even though this bike wouldn’t see the light of day until after WW2, it still possesses a unique and lengthy history that’s tied to the British war effort. While nobody can definitively give a specific number, experts and collectors guesstimate that there are likely hundreds of these storied military scoots in circulation but definitely not thousands with around 16,000 having originally been produced.
You can find this vintage 1956 Triumph TRW military machine here on Craigslist in West Palm Beach, Florida with a price of $10,000.