Triumph 4hp

Key facts

Year

1914
Country

Great Britain
Capacity

550cc
Cylinders

1 cylinder
Valves

side valve
Performance

50mph (approximately)
Price new

£56
Owner

National Motor Museum Trust
Manufacturer

Triumph Cycle Co. Ltd

Triumph introduced the 550cc 4hp model in1914, becoming a popular choice for touring and sidecar use. It is fitted with Sturmey-Archer three-speed gear and belt drive. For 1915 a re-designed 4hp model was introduced called the Type H. The First World War had begun and this model was soon selected for military service with the British, French, Belgian and Russian armies.

By 1914 Triumph was one of the leading British motorcycle manufacturers. The company was still run by its German founder Siegfried Bettman with the bikes being designed by Mauritz Schulte. Production continued throughout World War One with over 30,000 550cc motorcycles being built for the British army.