1971 Triumph Trailblazer. £2500

This is a 1971 Triumph 250cc Trailblazer which has been in extremely long term storage. Last taxed in 1990, so thirty two years since last being used.

Current V5C is in hand. It shows just three previous owners from new and it is on its original number which is transferrable. It is matching engine and frame numbers. The tax class will need changing to historic as it is still rated as bicycle.

The bike has clearly never been restored and is absolutely genuine original, as it came out of the factory. The paintwork is factory orignal, as is all the switch gear, wiring, levers, fittings etc etc. Its is extremely scruffy and I would say this is a running project. It fires up fairly easily and sounds pretty good. I have not ridden it as the gear lever is missing and the clutch appears to be stuck on. However, I think it is only with being stood. Some of the lights work but not all. It is clearly charging as the lights brighten when it is revved. You will see on the video the rev counter works fine. It is missing the rear lens. The tyres are good, with good tread remaining. The exhaust is the original and seem solid, not rotting out etc. The chrome on the rims is all original. The front is good, the rear seems to have suffered a little. All original indicators fitted. Nice original twin leading shoe brake in the period conical hubs.

So, essentially, this has been in long term storage, is completely unmolested and original, has a V5C and is running. It is being sold as a running project as the wiring needs looking at to get all the lights working and the horn etc. The bike is scruffy, but some people like original, others like to restore them. This is ideal as it offers the choice, ideal to ride as is, or ideal to restore as all the correct original parts are right there. The centre stand is missing, but the lugs are there and are fine, so why that has been taken off I don’t know. There is no undue noise or smoke from the engine, and this ticks over OK and revs cleanly. The carb looks like it needs a good clean, but is obviously functioning OK. All in all, it is a great find because these are rare little machines that were very popular in their day and good sellers as they looked so good. Very American street scrambler type look. The Trailblazer was not catalogued for many years, so is a bit rare. This will make a great little project for someone to sort out and clean up, or for someone to get operational and start to use again. If you just wanted to use as is, I believe this could be sorted and be usable with a weekends work, which would be basically get the rest of the lights / horn working, fit a centre stand, and do a proper service. So from that perspective it is a light project.