TWN (TRIUMPH)

250 Knirps ·1920

Anglo-German pioneer

Launched in 1903, the first German Triumph was also one of that country's first motorcycles and distinguished itself in the sports events of the period. Triumph-Germany was a subsidiary of the British Triumph factory at Coventry, and its first models were identical.

Sales Agreement

Triumph was founded by Siegfried Bettmann and Maurice Schultz, two expatriate Germans who'd settled in the UK in 1897. An agreement drawn up between the British and German · factories over the use of patent rights stipulated that the Nuremberg firm could only export its products under the label TWN (Triumph-Werke Nürnberg) in Germany. Along the same line, the British Triumphs were called TEC (Triumph Engineering Company). Relations between the Triumph companies were broken off in 1923. TWN then used its own two-stroke engines and license-built Swiss MAG power units.

The First German Two-Strokes

The German industry was in a precarious situation, and the market was badly hit by the fuel shortage of 1920. TWN cut back its range and launched the Knirps, which was – along with the DKW - the first German two-stroke motorcycle. It was joined in 1922 by a four- stroke range that was constantly improved: A kick- tarter and a clutch were added in 1924, and the belt drive was replaced by chain in 1925, when a three-speed transmission and automatic lubrication were added. In 1928, the knee-grips were fitted to the gas tank, which was chromed from 1930, when a twist-grip throttle was specified. Annual production of TWN machines increased from 1700 in 1924 to 13,000 in 1929.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 277cc (70x72mm) air-cooled single· cylinder

Power Rating: 3 hp @ 3200 rpm

Valves: two-stroke; ports controlled by piston skirt

Fuel System: carburetor

Transmission: direct-belt drive

Suspension: oscillating forks (front); rigid (rear)

Brakes: rim (front); belt rim (rear)

Wheels: wire clincher (front & rear)

Weight: 165 lb

Maximum Speed: 47 mph

A classic belt-driven two-stroke single of the 1920s, the TWN Knirps bas a lever controlled exhaust cut-out fitted to its muffler.