1957 Triumph 649cc T110
Registration no. YUR 110
Frame no. 05529
Engine no. T110 05529

Every Triumph enthusiasts knows that the Bonneville owes its name to record-breaking successes on the eponymous salt flats, but how many are aware that the machine which set a new 650cc production machine record of over 147mph in 1958 was a Tiger 110 equipped with twin carburettors? A development of the Thunderbird tourer, the T110 prototype performed brilliantly in the 1953 ISDT, thus providing the production version - launched later that year - with invaluable publicity. The first Triumph motorcycle with swinging-arm rear suspension, the T110 came with a revised engine incorporating a stronger crankshaft, high-compression pistons, larger inlet valves and 'hotter' cams. The T110 remained in production into 1961, one of the most important developments along the way being the introduction on this model for 1956 of the aluminium-alloy 'Delta' high-compression cylinder head, which increased power and pushed the T110's top speed towards 120mph.

This particular T110 had already been restored when it was acquired by the current vendor in June 1983. Presented in beautiful condition, the machine comes with an old-style V5 registration document, four MoT certificates (most recent expired 1985), and a large quantity of bills (inspection recommended) relating to a comprehensive rebuild undertaken during the late 1970s/early 1980s while the Triumph was in the possession of the immediately preceding owner, Mr David Rutty. Re-commissioning is advised before returning it to the road.