Photo ou archives : F-M. Dumas
3712
TRIUMPH
500 Model 5/4 De Luxe - 1934
Saved from bankruptcy
The first overhead-valve Triumph was an impressive four-valve 500, built in the 1920s. Rather than follow this brilliant lead, Triumph continued the 500 line with the economy side-valve Model P, which proved to be a stunning sales success, with nearly 30,000 produced in 1929. In 1932, the brilliant designer Val Page joined Triumph from Ariel, and created an entirely new range of singles from 250-600cc, as well as Triumph's first vertical twin, the 650cc Model 6/1.
A Range of Singles
Page's singles remained in production until the outbreak of war. The 250 and 500 were overhead-valve designs, while the 550 and 600cc machines were side-valve.
Change of Ownership
Between 1934 and 1936 the flagship 500 range consisted of four models: 5/2 Standard, 5/4 De Luxe, 5/5 Sport and 5/10 Racing. When the parent company, wanting to concentrate on automobiles, tried to close the motorcycle business clown, Jack Sangster – who had taken over Ariel – became boss of Triumph, and put designer Edward Turner in charge. His first move was to revamp Page's range, and a new silver and chrome color scheme gave these reliable machines a touch of glamour in 1936. The vertical twin was dropped, and the singles were renamed "Tiger 70," "Tiger 80" and "Tiger 90" and enjoyed well-merited success. Val Page singles were well-liked machines, with twin-port heads and double-cradle frames. There was even a very special racer with magnesium engine castings, ridden by Tommy Spann in the 1934 TT but it failed to finish.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 193cc (84x89mm) air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke; dry-sump lubrication
Power Rating: 20 hp @ 5000 rpm
Valves: overhead
Fuel System: carburetor
Transmission: 4-speed, chain final drive
Suspension: girder forks (front); rigid (rear)
Brakes: 7 inch drum (from & rear)
Wheels: 20 inch (front); 19 inch (rear)
Weight: 361 lb
Maximum Speed: 80 mph
Triumph advertised that its big singles gave "faultless riding.” This 500 De Luxe is typical of the popular British touring bikes of the mid-1930s.