Actually, the rider in the photograph was Butch Fisher on the 1955 T100R that I think, is the one that has a silver frame which was cadmium plated. But, I’m not certain that it might be yours. Let me discuss what I remember of those good days.

Roy Mayhood bought this T100R from the Triumph Corporation in Baltimore in 1955. He was competing as a green plate novice even though he had achieved the Expert class in TT in the early ’50s as did Done Horne.

At the Cedarburg race in Spring 1955 or 1956, he went down and was run over by George Gerndt riding a KR and had his pelvis broken with subsequent problems. He was unable to walk for over a year. George, who was one of our friends, was unable to miss him.

The fuel tank was crushed by his chest and the upper frame tubes were pushed down approximately 3 in. I worked for Don Horne and Roy from 1956 through 1965 and took apart the bike after it was unused for a few years, replaced the front frame section and fuel tank but most everything else was OK.

Then, Roy had Butch Fisher, who was an excellent and fast rider, ride it for a couple years, I think 1958 to1960 until he rode one of Ralph Berndt’s KR’s only to hit the armaco fence in 1960 at Shererville and destroyed a lot of his face. This was bad, I was there and it ended his career. But, afterwards, I understand that he joined the Witnesses along with Eddie Clifford and devoted much time to the congregation.

I bought the T100R from Roy and, after completely rebuilding it to factory specs, replaced the screwed up frame and rode it in 1960 and 1961. In 1961, I installed the AMA approved 9/1 pistons, lightened many parts and improved the cylinder head flow but retained the 1 in. GP carburetors and E3134 camshafts which, in total, increased the torque big time. However, I had to ride “over my head” to win or place high so it seemed that it was try to go even faster or quit.

Subsequently, I started college and sold it to Jeff Guenther, a high school friend and I increased the engine displacement to 37 cubic in. as requested by Jeff before he road it at Spingfield 1962. It was very fast and bullet proof as long as it was not abused.

In 1963, Jeff Died at 22 yrs due to an enlarged heart. Jim Koplinski and most all of the cycle shop friends attended the funeral. Not my best day.

Then Dennis Decker, another Don and Roy’s mechanic, bought it and became an expert with my passed on number of 55G. It no longer was fast since it was blown up, had some rediculous high lift and big overlap cams and larger bore carburetors which moved the torque up to a high rpm range and actually reduced useable HP.

Afterwards, I think that even Ted Keiper had it but it eventually ended up in John Giorno’s museum in Kenosha, WI. This was in the mid 70″s I believe.

I remember Dave Becker but I think that he was riding one Hansen’s Scouts or a Gold Star during the years you mention.

If you ever want to talk or by email, please email me at ds8899@outlook.com.

DS

In the 1990s I bought in Wisconsin and now restored a 1955 Triumph T100R # 59104 flat tracker. About a year ago I saw this picture taken near where I purchased the basket case bike,and had finished it with the 40G number as I thought it may be the same bike. Then I was told about two months ago that it was raced by David Becker of Racine Wisconsin with AMA # 63G in 1956-58. He raced at 1956 Daytona 100 mile (dnf ) and was 8 th out of 9 in first heat race class B at 1956 Springfield mile.

Thanks Bob Buchanan