Triumph to start building bikes in Hinkley again !

Roger S

Roger S

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Triumph are still making crankshafts and associated parts at Hinkley but the rest of the bikes have been made abroad, but they are to start building them in the UK again.

Excellent news me thinks for employment ( if they can find staff :giggle: ) and the economy.
 
Roger S said:
Triumph are still making crankshafts and associated parts at Hinkley but the rest of the bikes have been made abroad, but they are to start building them in the UK again.

Excellent news me thinks for employment ( if they can find staff :giggle: ) and the economy.
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I'm firmly under the impression that they ve consistently built quite a few of the models in Hinkley, partly because I saw them doing it when I did a factory tour. They said that crankcases come from Spain and some models are made in Thailand.
 
jongood said:
I'm firmly under the impression that they ve consistently built quite a few of the models in Hinkley, partly because I saw them doing it when I did a factory tour. They said that crankcases come from Spain and some models are made in Thailand.
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I believe they were building them at Hinckley some time ago but stopped production there and started to build them abroad mainly Thailand.

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I think all the twin cylinder models were built in Taiwan but the bigger model's were built here.
It appears that Triumph made the right decision by sticking with the triple s. All the other makers are stopping production of 4 cylinder 600s
 
Factory 2 at Hinckley had a full assembly track until the middle of last year when under the cover of Covid they made most of the track workers redundant and sold all the plant on a commercial "Exchange and Mart" site. Thailand had produced most of the production for years and I think has 3 factories owned, run and overseen by Triumph Uk. They also had or have an assembly plant in Brazil where the bikes get shipped in kit form and put back into one piece. Again under the cover of Covid Triumph got rid of a LOT of R & D staff who were time served and probably quite expensive, many have found jobs at Norton and RE. The new production line started to be built at Factory 2 earlier this year with money from the Gov following Brexit.... R&D models have always been built by "Triumph Designs Ltd" in the same factory and has also undergone some changes. Sadly none I can write about due to an NDA still in force. Mr Bloor has been a considerable doner to the Conservative party, looks like he has played the system very well. Great bikes, built by dedicated hard working staff... but the morals of the business ain't exactly great IMHO.
 
John Barrett said:
Given my experiences in the 60s from that factory then I sincerely hope not... :eek:
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There probably wasn't a single British brand in the 60s that was any better. They didn't have the technology we have today, and the ability to produce quality in mass production. But they were the trailblazers of motorcycle design. Ah, the days when twins had 360 degree cranks. The sound, the vibration, the oil leaks. Heavenly.
I remember swopping bikes with another guy just for a ride. My tiger 90 for his Honda 250 Dream. He came back raving about the Triumph, I came back thinking the Dream was a sewing machine.
They just didn't move with the times quickly enough.
 
Vansflyer said:
Factory 2 at Hinckley had a full assembly track until the middle of last year when under the cover of Covid they made most of the track workers redundant and sold all the plant on a commercial "Exchange and Mart" site. Thailand had produced most of the production for years and I think has 3 factories owned, run and overseen by Triumph Uk. They also had or have an assembly plant in Brazil where the bikes get shipped in kit form and put back into one piece. Again under the cover of Covid Triumph got rid of a LOT of R & D staff who were time served and probably quite expensive, many have found jobs at Norton and RE. The new production line started to be built at Factory 2 earlier this year with money from the Gov following Brexit.... R&D models have always been built by "Triumph Designs Ltd" in the same factory and has also undergone some changes. Sadly none I can write about due to an NDA still in force. Mr Bloor has been a considerable doner to the Conservative party, looks like he has played the system very well. Great bikes, built by dedicated hard working staff... but the morals of the business ain't exactly great IMHO.
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How often have we seen that with entrepreneurs who buy famous marques hoping to make loads of money. Still, Mr Bloor (and his team) over the years has done a lot for the brand. I guess they have to ensure the future prosperity and profitability of the business. The customers can always make their choices.
Now, what about a Moto Guzzi? They're still making them on the shores of Lake Como.....and they're about to modernise the famous old factory.
Piaggio tried to close it and move production to one of their own Italian factories, but Mandello del Lario clung on.

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When "Triumph" relaunched Mrs. B. hired aTrident 900 for a long weekend for me as a wedding anniversary pressie from Fowlers in Bristol. Despite awful weather we had a great time, though unbeknown to her it was my first time back on two wheels after a rather spectacular, and painful, mishap whereby I was the first person in Bristol to buy a VF750F and the first one to write one off. Regardless, I couldn't bring myself to give it back - loved that 3 cylinder howl and the finish, switch gear and electrics were superb - though the deal she brokered was that if I wanted the bike I'd have to buy her an MGBGT.
Flipping expensive anniversary that was!
 
Well, that was his previous business....
That's what funded the project in the first place.
 
Those Hinkley Triumphs have been around for thirty years now, probably almost as long as the Meriden twins. They were most popular for only around twenty years in the fifties and sixties.

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Triumph twins, as we know them, were about in various forms for about forty years. But Triumph's lineage goes back nearly forty years more.
If you were given the choice of a gift (leaving current value aside) either an eighties or nineties Hinkley Triumph, or a sixties Meriden twin, which would you chose?
 
Just sold a 1993 900cc triple with attached sidecar for £2500, thought I was lucky to get that. The 1969 Bonnie I sold twenty five years ago would now get twice the price. But of course I did have a reliable and powerful bike to actually ride rather than perpetually repairing and rebuilding.
 
jp11 said:
How often have we seen that with entrepreneurs who buy famous marques hoping to make loads of money. Still, Mr Bloor (and his team) over the years has done a lot for the brand. I guess they have to ensure the future prosperity and profitability of the business. The customers can always make their choices.
Now, what about a Moto Guzzi? They're still making them on the shores of Lake Como.....and they're about to modernise the famous old factory.
Piaggio tried to close it and move production to one of their own Italian factories, but Mandello del Lario clung on.
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Ive got a modern era Guzzi, (2009 Griso) its not without issues but I absolutely love it, Just looking at it makes me smile.

Ive had a couple of Hinkley Triumphs and they were OK, really liked the 955 Tiger, but wouldnt buy a new one because I think its a cheat.
 
Ah, 69 model Bonneville. Probably the most handsome motorcycle ever made, and arguably one of the most reliable Bonnies.
But I know what you mean about having to tinker with them. I bought a brand new Commando (750 Combat model) in 1972. I had the head off it three time in 10,000 miles. Couldn't stop it from leaking. I did love the thing though. Gobs of torque, and so smooth. I eventually went to the dark side and bought a new Suzuki T500.
 
I often visit Lake Como. Would never pass Mandello del Lario without renting out a Guzzi. The local dealer (Agostini, about 500 yards from the factory) will rent you one by the hour for just a short spin). Tried the Griso once but couldn't come to terms with the riding position. Preferred the Stelvio, usually took a trip up to St Moritz and included the Spluga Pass.

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jp11 said:
Ah, 69 model Bonneville. Probably the most handsome motorcycle ever made, and arguably one of the most reliable Bonnies.
But I know what you mean about having to tinker with them. I bought a brand new Commando (750 Combat model) in 1972. I had the head off it three time in 10,000 miles. Couldn't stop it from leaking. I did love the thing though. Gobs of torque, and so smooth. I eventually went to the dark side and bought a new Suzuki T500.
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I bought a 1968 Trophy, basically a single carb Bonnevile, and it fell to pieces around me. The dealer's guarantee was worthless too...
 
jp11 said:
Ah, 69 model Bonneville. Probably the most handsome motorcycle ever made, and arguably one of the most reliable Bonnies.
But I know what you mean about having to tinker with them. I bought a brand new Commando (750 Combat model) in 1972. I had the head off it three time in 10,000 miles. Couldn't stop it from leaking. I did love the thing though. Gobs of torque, and so smooth. I eventually went to the dark side and bought a new Suzuki T500.
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I bought a brand new 750 Combat engined Norton Commando while in the army in Germany. Rode from the dealer in London to Portsmouth, the rear left indicator bracket had cracked leaving the indicator hanging hanging on its wire. Rode back to Germany, the centre stand snapped six month later. At 3000 miles the main bearings failed. The Combat engine had a higher compression ratio, larger carbs and raised rev limit to 7000RPM which upped the power to a dizzying 65BHP. To take this amazing power they fitted roller bearings to both sides of the crank rather than the previous ball and roller combination. At the higher rev limit the crank flexed making the edge of the rollers dig in and fail. Norton solution was to fit barrel shaped rollers so no corner to dig in, a real engineering company would have strengthened the crank. At 10,000 miles the mechanical advance retard failed, the ignition timing became retarded which overheated the exhaust pipes which then cracked and dropped down. Caused by chain driven camshaft starting to fluctuate as the chain wore, solved by fitting aftermarket electronic ignition. No advance and retard unit so it could not fail, chain still wore and camshaft fluctuated. Oil tank cracked right through at lower mount dumping oil over the rear wheel. Front disc pads have no locating pins, the metal backing is the same thickness as the gap between the disc and the caliper so a worn pad flies out onto the road in front of you, need to quickly pump brake lever to get the piston to contact the disc. The clever little 12volt socket so handy is useful when camping, not so good as it is permanently live so electrolysis causes corrosion between the pins which flatten the battery. All this within the first year of purchase. Mad thing is I still have the bike, now undergoing it's next winter rebuild, I think I started this rebuild about 1995, keep riding modern bikes like my 2004 Moto Guzzi LeMans so slow progress with the Norton. Now recovering with a knee replacement so be interesting to see if I will be able to kick start a 10:1 Compression ratio 750.
 
68c said:
I bought a brand new 750 Combat engined Norton Commando while in the army in Germany. Rode from the dealer in London to Portsmouth, the rear left indicator bracket had cracked leaving the indicator hanging hanging on its wire. Rode back to Germany, the centre stand snapped six month later.
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SNIP
Funny that. My Trophy was five days old when I was stopped by the police for no rear light. When we looked the whole lamp/number plate assembly had fallen off! The dealer refused to replace it, said I should have checked the nuts myself!
That was just the start of my troubles, very similar to yours. The head gasket blew around the ninth stud - the stud which was added to fix that fault- the exhaust clamps rattled loose and stripped the threads in the head, the clutch housing/sprocket split in half, the main bearings went at 18000 miles, etc.etc..
A complete pile of XXXX
 
Triumph's design team at Hinckley never stop improving their products, only this week a completely re- designed 1200cc Explorer announced, they've kept the shaft drive and managed to make it 35kg lighter.
 
I absolutely believe all you've said. Remember it all! Mine had the new "superblend" bearings. Mind you, I didn't suffer the litany of problems you had. Funnily enough, the only warranty claim I made was for the fuel tank. It was red. But petrol had dissolved the paint around the flip-top cap and exposed a previously painted colour - metalflake blue! I wrote directly to the factory and they replaced it immediately.
Of course, the fact that you still have it says something.....
And no, you won't be able to kickstart it with a dodgy knee! You'll have to get one of those after-market new electric boots.

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I love listening to all those stories about how the late 60's Triumphs were fabulous machines, The 650 engines unit and pre unit were average at best, Bonnie and Throphys vibrated themselves to bits, the best machine Triumph made was the Tiger 100 500cc the Daytona wasn't much slower than the bonnie and a much better balanced bike altogether.

The best British machine I owned from that era was the BSA A65s Spitfire. rated at 54hp compared to the bonnie 49hp.
Faster and better handling than the Triumph.
Then Honda came along and phew what a revelation, my Honda CB72e 305cc was as quick as a bonnie, no vibration started on a button, never leaked oil and never broke down.
Would I buy another Triumph, most certainly not.
 
jp11 said:
I often visit Lake Como. Would never pass Mandello del Lario without renting out a Guzzi. The local dealer (Agostini, about 500 yards from the factory) will rent you one by the hour for just a short spin). Tried the Griso once but couldn't come to terms with the riding position. Preferred the Stelvio, usually took a trip up to St Moritz and included the Spluga Pass.
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The Griso is a handful at slow speeds but fabulous once you re used to it and the quality of components and fastenings are streets ahead of the older ones. Would love to try a Stelvio especially around there.
 
No doubt a Chinese company will buy the name out and guess where they will be built, after the housing estate is complete.
Interesting ploy however not a new one.
 
robnchris said:
I love listening to all those stories about how the late 60's Triumphs were fabulous machines, The 650 engines unit and pre unit were average at best, Bonnie and Throphys vibrated themselves to bits, the best machine Triumph made was the Tiger 100 500cc the Daytona wasn't much slower than the bonnie and a much better balanced bike altogether.

The best British machine I owned from that era was the BSA A65s Spitfire. rated at 54hp compared to the bonnie 49hp.
Faster and better handling than the Triumph.
Then Honda came along and phew what a revelation, my Honda CB72e 305cc was as quick as a bonnie, no vibration started on a button, never leaked oil and never broke down.
Would I buy another Triumph, most certainly not.
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Wouldn't disagree about the 500 at all. In fact, a standard T100 with single card, much less hassle. My last 500 was a Cheney 500 ISDT replica.
 
robnchris said:
I love listening to all those stories about how the late 60's Triumphs were fabulous machines, The 650 engines unit and pre unit were average at best, Bonnie and Throphys vibrated themselves to bits, the best machine Triumph made was the Tiger 100 500cc the Daytona wasn't much slower than the bonnie and a much better balanced bike altogether.

The best British machine I owned from that era was the BSA A65s Spitfire. rated at 54hp compared to the bonnie 49hp.
Faster and better handling than the Triumph.
Then Honda came along and phew what a revelation, my Honda CB72e 305cc was as quick as a bonnie, no vibration started on a button, never leaked oil and never broke down.
Would I buy another Triumph, most certainly not.
Click to expand...
One of my freinds has just had his CB72 completely restored. He bought it new and pushed it in his shed 30+ years ago and it's now back at its former glory. Lovely little thing, its tiny in comparison to a modern bike I took it home for him in the garage of the motorhome and it took less room than our scooter.

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