One of the most challenging races in any discipline was the International Six Days Trial (ISDT – now known as the ISDE). An annual test of rider, machine, and durability, the ISDT is also known as the “Olympics of Motorcycling.” In 1968, ISDT changed up the rules to state that a rider had to use a machine of their own nationality. For British riders of the time, this posed a huge problem, as the British bike industry had been in a serious decline over the last 10 years. Particularly with regards to bigger enduros, British riders now had no competitive bikes to ride on. They turned to Eric Cheney, a formerly successful racer who went on to build competition-level frames.
Cheney instantly built up a tremendous reputation by using the finest materials he could, and in 1968 he built a limited number of machines for British riders to compete in the ISDT. Each bike took over 400 hours to produce, and this bike was based around the 500cc vertical twin found in classic Triumphs. The bikes also received tapered conical hubs, Ceriani type forks, and a larger fuel tank, all of which combined to make a much more competitive package than anything a British manufacturer could make.
This specific Cheney Triumph (VIN: MK217T100SCH53007) has the 500cc engine from a Triumph Sport Tiger (T100SC) with a Mk2 Cheney nickel-plated frame, #17. The bike is claimed to start easy and run strong, and comes with the usual goodies, like Magura levers, Progressive suspension, Ceriani forks, plus an alloy tank from a BSA B50.
Find this Cheney Triumph for sale in Winnetka, California with bidding up to $4,652 and the reserve not yet met