It only seemed fair after taking the MV Agusta to its home factory in Varse, Italy and last year the Indian Scout home to the USA that my faithful Triumph Sprint ST 1050 should enjoy a visit to the factory where it was created in 2007.

In 2015 we turned up at the Triumph factory in Hinckley but could only look at the exterior of the factory.

Staying at The Oak Hotel at Hockley Heath, a regular stop,the new day dawned as a bleak,misty day with rain predicted at our destination Buxton so the decision was made to track to Hinckley about an hour away and a visit to the Triumph Experience a display of old and new Triumph's and associated history that is freely available.

On arrivial I used their change facilities and enquired from the doorman about a tour he suggested I might go upstairs to the shop and use my charm on the female sales assistant.

Well the lift din't match the bounding up the stairs and fronting up to the cash register.

I stated my case, suck suck, come from Australia, 17000kms Yes rode it's sitting in your parking area suck suck.She opened up the bookings as I had suggested a July 18th date when I expect to be back in the area.

The reply was shattering "Sorry Sir July is the summer peak time and it's booked out solid, but I do have one spare spot on todays Dealer's tour in 30 minutes"

The credit card was in her machine before she could put the entrance fee in. I was keen as right behind me were two other Australian's looking, hoping for a spot.

My group was lead by employee No 28 a man who joined the Hinckley under John Bloor as soon as production had commenced so his knowlege and stories were second to none.

He showed us the various areas from the individual arrival of the components, most are sourced from other countries eg Thailand,South America, Italy to outsouced componets such as tyres an WP suspension.

Deliveries daily maybe from a pallet load to multiple 40'containers. Also in the arrivials area are many complete Triumphs from factories diverse as Thailand to the jungles of South America (tax haven). However likewise the Hinckley factory also exports a CKD (completely knocked down) motorcycle such as the 1200 Tiger to India where it is assembled into a complete road going machine.

Much of the fine machining of parts accurs at the factory such as crankshafts and camshafts as well as a new 5m pound painting section.

Finished motorcycles are stacked 7 high in the holding area awaiting delivery within an ideal time frame of 3-4 weeks. Daily delivery rates are 400 but the week before my visit they had set a new record of over 1700 in one week as dealers stock up for the English coming summer season plus the release of new models.

Overall a most rewarding visit to see where and how my Triumph was created.