Description
1953 Sprunghub Thunderbird, great working order, and a joy to ride. My late father purchased this bike in about 1982 at which time it was hitched to a huge sidecar and hand painted custard yellow and blue.
Bike was fully restored by Ex Meriden service department engineer Hughie Hancock in 1988. During the rebuild the crank was modified to take big end shell bearings and to have a timing cover oil seal, both of which are recognised improvements on the original. It has had very little use from then but has been kept in de-humidified garages since. The only other changes from standard are the battery case has been emptied out and now contains a Burlen sealed battery, and the parking light and rear bulb have been changed to LED's which are much brighter, so make riding safer.
I have loads of documentation from the last 40 years of ownership.
Only comes out on sunny days for local rides in the countryside. Very reluctant sale, must go to a good home. Very cool bike, ideal for DGR etc.
Registration number is non transferable so cherished plate dealers please don't bid, or contact me.
I'm only selling as I have too many Triumphs and need to downsize into a smaller premises. Bike is tax free, MOT free, is fast enough to keep up with normal traffic.
Full professional restoration to excellent mechanical and cosmetic condition.
I recently had an old guy tell me off outside a supermarket for buying a brand new Triumph as "they're not made in England anymore".
I gently pointed out the bike was over 70 years old and had been built at Meriden!
