1921 Imperial Triumph 'No 30b' Roadster – The Online Bicycle Museum

1921 Imperial Triumph ‘No 30b’ Roadster

with Resilient Forks & Patent Ball End Fork Crown

Sturmey-Archer ‘Model A’ 3-speed gear

24″ Frame

28″ Wheels

Lucas Calcia King lighting set No 326T with B116 tail lamp

New Departure 2 3/4″ Bristol bell

Brass inflator pump

Toolbag with Triumph tools

Frame No 709771

(Now sold)

After World War One, the prices of most British bicycles were reduced in order to cater to a new market of commuters that had sprung up as a result of the war. However, some companies continued to supply upmarket machines. Humber, Rudge-Whitworth, Singer/Premier, Raleigh, Sunbeam and Triumph dominated this top end of the market. At £18 19/- this 1922 state-of-the-art machine was even more expensive than the top-selling Raleigh X frame (£16 10/-). It was out-priced only by the Golden Sunbeam 3-speed at 22 guineas, so it was therefore the second most expensive bicycle in the world.

Cycle manufacturers did not want to re-tool postwar for major design changes, so they continued supplying their pre-war models. But Triumph had become the world’s leading motorcycle manufacturer due to their ‘Trusty Triumph’ motorcycle. To make an impression with their postwar cycle models, in 1921 they introduced a new feature – the resilient fork now sported a distinctive ball end fork crown. And while other companies had stopped using inverted brake levers in 1908, Triumph continued to feature them on its Imperials to provide a sleek motorcycle-style look. This gave the Imperial the impression of speed, which was backed up by a lightweight frame to provide a fast machine. You can easily imagine this Imperial nimbly dodging around traffic in 1920s city streets, or speeding up the Great North Road (now designated the A1) towards Edinburgh.

The 24″ frame was designated ‘Model No 30b’ (’30a’ was 22″ and ’30c’ 26″). Andrew Heaps, who was the Triumph bicycle marque expert, explained that 1915 Triumph frame numbers had reached around no 250,000, but post-WW1 Triumphs were numbered from 700,000, although 450,000 bicycles had not been made in the intervening period. The exact age of 1920s Triumphs are not recorded, but he estimates this machine to be around 1921.

The 1921 Imperial shown here is an older restoration in excellent condition. It was repainted with its original transfers (decals) preserved. The previous owner rode it often and kept it in very good mechanical condition. It’s fitted with some lovely accessories: a brass inflator pump, which matches the New Departure ‘Bristol’ bell (at 2 3/4″ the top model). It also has an expensive Lucas Calcia King acetylene lighting set, complete with hoses (untested) and toolbag with Triumph tools. This 105-year-old lightweight roadster is ideal for fast long-distance riding and is ready to use right now.

TRIUMPH INVERTED LEVER RIM BRAKES

Triumph inverted brake levers, fitted to the top models, feature very neat integral cabling. You can see the passage of the rear brake cable, from handlebar via down tube to bottom bracket in the close up photo below.

NEW DEPARTURE 2 3/4″ BRISTOL BELL

TRIUMPH TOOLKIT

The toolkit includes the spanner for adjusting the eccentric bottom bracket

1925 TRIUMPH CATALOGUE EXTRACTS

DEAR SIRS,

I should like to expires my satisfaction and also tender a tribute to the fine workmanship and material used in the building of your famous bicycles. I purchased one of your Triumph Roadsters in May, 1908, and it has been in constant use up to the present day. From 1908 to 1914, I used the machine both for business and pleasure and this includes 4 years club riding with the Lilac C.C, being used also in several road races. I also spent most of my holidays awheel on tour. In the first few months of the war I had the machine with me at St. Albans and Hatfield whilst training and used it in getting to and from London when lucky enough to get leave. While over in France I lent the machine to a friend, who enjoyed many trips on it. Since the War I have again used it for business and pleasure and for the past two years it has carried me to and from business in all weathers.

– Testimonial from the 1925 Triumph Catalogue