Indistinct

Eye of faith is needed when looking at some period photographs, such as this colonial scene, and use of the famous magnifying glass can make identification harder! Two of the motorcycles look like 1910-1913 Triumph 3½hp Roadsters, the third may be also. Powered by Triumph’s own 499cc (85 x 88mm bore x stroke) single cylinder sidevalve engine, they were offered as direct drive and then with Triumph’s own rear wheel hub clutch. During the 1912 season the option of a three-speed Sturmey-Archer rear hub gear was offered at extra cost and for the 1913 season the Roadster was given letter identification codes: Type A priced at £55-10s, fitted with Triumph’s rear wheel hub ‘free engine’ clutch. Type B, £49-5s, direct drive model, and Type C, £59-15s, supplied with Sturmey-Archer three-speed rear wheel hub gear with clutch. Triumph also offered a stripped direct drive TT Model from 1909 and, of course, some owners retro fitted the Triumph free engine hub clutch or SturmeyArcher gear