My New 1953 Triumph Tr5

[Richny13]

Hello everyone. This is my first time posting to this forum and I look forward to chatting with you all about vintage Triumphs.

A little about me: I am 25, work as an electronics design engineer in aerospace, and have loved motorcycles since my first CR85. In the past 10 years or so I have restored vintage dirt bikes, vintage Benelli's, vintage Ducati's and a Honda or two.

I have recently purchased a Vintage Triumph (My first :]) and I hope you all can help me identify it.
Though there is a large collection of information online about engine and frame numbers I am having trouble pinning down exactly what I have got.

Please see the pictures and let me know if you have any ideas! Thanks - Rich
Engine Number: TR5 36725
Frame Number: 72497

My best guess is a 1953 Trophy 500 Engine in a 1954 Speed Twin Frame.
But according to my research the engine numbers did not use the TR5 prefix where as the frames did. I conclude that this is either the wrong motor for the frame or is a mid 40s bike that did not have matching frame/engine numbers.

 

[Qship]

Welcome to TT from Eastern Canada.
I cannot help you in your quest, but I am sure some one will be along soon to help. @grandpaul comes to mind as the resident guru
Enjoy the resto.

 

[hemibee]

Welcome to TT from Southeast Texas. Like Q, I can't help in your quest but look forward to watching your progress.

 

[Richny13]

Thanks for the welcome gents.
I supposes I forgot to mention my location.
Myself and the bike live in California Bay Area.

 

[Rocky]

Hello and welcome to TT
Great to see a young man interested in vintage bikes
The engine number falls into year 1953, but I couldn't find a reference for the frame number.

 

[Mad On Triumphs]

andto the forum, from across the pond.
Hope that you'll enjoy it here.

 

[Richny13]

Here is another one to stump us all. The left side of the motor is stamped with "Thunderbird" and the right side with "Trophy".
Ill post some more pictures soon.

 

[triumph david]

Welcome from Mississippi, that frame is interesting, i am lost on that one, but looks like everything is there to restore a nice bike!

 

[Richny13]

Yea the frame is stumping me as well.
It may be a 1956 Trophy Frame with a 53 engine but the fender and the forks don't match a 56. They match like a 49.
May have stumbled upon a bike that was a custom hot rod. Could be several bikes in one.
Not sure yet how I feel about that.

 

[triumph david]

Rebuild it and ride it!

 

[Rocky]

Hmmmm, yes, it seems to be a bit of a bitsa.
It's going to take some time, money and effort to bring it back, but it looks like it can be salvaged.
But that's for you to decide if it's worth it.