Offered from the estate of the late Clifford Jones
c.2000 Triumph TT600 Racing Motorcycle
Frame no. SMTTH800SY2147672

Triumph's first offering in the vitally important 600cc class, the TT600 arrived in 2000 to less than universal acclaim. Handling and braking were judged as good as any but the fuel injection needed further work, a shortcoming addressed by a succession of improved fuelling 'maps' downloadable from Triumph dealers. By 2002 Triumph had eliminated most of the glitches. Comparing it to the Japanese opposition, Bike magazine declared: 'The TT has the best combination of handling and ride quality, for normal riders on normal roads – not just of any bike here, but of anything you can buy.'

It was inevitable, given the design's obvious potential, that the TT600 would be raced in the Supersport class. One of the first in the field with a suitably modified TT600 was noted Triumph dealership, Jack Lilley Ltd, who prepared and entered the example offered here. It is not known when the machine was acquired by its late owner. Details of its racing record are sparse, to say the least, the history file's contents being confined to a selection of photographs. These show a Jack Lilley TT600 in action at various British Superbike Championship rounds and at the Isle of Man TT with riders Andy Notman and Jim Hodson. One photograph is annotated on the reverse 'TT 2000 Jim Hodson 115+mph'. The Isle of Man TT database records the Jim and his Triumph suffered a 'DNF' in that year's 'Junior 600' race. However, it should be noted that this machine carries a 'BIKE 3' sticker on the top yoke and it is not known if it is that depicted in the photographs. Two camshaft blanks and the rear-wheel paddock stand are included in the sale.