Norman Hyde and the company he founded have been part of the British motorcycle industry for several decades. A familiar face at shows and industry events with his beard and waistcoat, Hyde has finally finished disposing of the various parts of the company. This has been done in a very organised and deliberate way and it all went according to plan.
“The Hinckley Triumph stuff went about five years ago, followed by the classic side and then most recently the import of Ikon shocks has gone to Performance Parts. “The manufacturers, Proven Products, had been very good to us so I didn’t want just to ditch them. We had a good look round on its behalf and came up with Performance Products who’ll probably do a better job than I used to.”
For a man who has breathed and slept Triumph since 1964, what does the future hold? “Well my brain is still full of bits of motorbike and how I might improve things. I suppose the only positive thing is that my cooking is getting better.”
When asked what might be a NH signature dish he suddenly perked up and replied. “A nice Moroccan tagine with lots of cumin and coriander, apricots and dates, or there again it might be more UK-based – I did a nice leg of lamb recently with some rosemary from the garden and some garlic. Perhaps it was not overly exciting but it was certainly edible.
“On the business side, the Norman Hyde Partnership (NHP) still exists and I’m selling the books I did with Mick Duckworth on Doug Hele. I am nothing to do with Norman Hyde Ltd – Arthur Macdonald (of Moto Legends Distribution) now owns that.”
More on Norman Hyde, including the crowning glory of his association with the Triumph brand, will appear in the October issue of BDN.