Patina A-Plenty: 1970 Triumph Trophy T25W Desert Sled

Triumph Trophy 250 Desert Sled from Scott Verrall…  

The Triumph Trophy T25W (W for ‘Woodsman’) — aka the Trophy 250 — was a lightweight single-cylinder scrambler born from the company’s tight relationship with BSA. The 250cc single was basically a BSA B25 Starfire duded up for a bit of off-roading with high bars and exhaust, bashplate, dual-purpose tires, and other such scrambler signatures. In fact, the model was built at the Small Heath BSA plant rather than Triumph’s Meriden factory. 

Initial reviews of the British thumper were positive, both in terms of build quality and riding experience:

“Remarkably simple in design and constructed like an armored car, the Trophy 250 should require only minimal service and adjustments… There’s something about riding one that you can’t forget.” –Cycle World, 1970

Over time, however, the Trophy 250 developed something of a reputation for reliability issues. Though some modern commentators have claimed this reputation was “ill-deserved,” the rise of cheaper, lower maintenance Japanese dual-purpose bikes helped seal the T25W’s fate, and it was only produced from 1968-70. 

For that reason, you don’t see too many Trophy 250’s these days, and very few as neat as this one. It comes from the UK’s Scott Verrall (@moto.vez), a motor mechanic with 25 years of experience who went down the two-wheeled rabbit hole during the pandemic:

“I’ve always been into modifying cars, but over Covid me and my good friend Alex (@akmoto) decided to book our full access bike test and we both haven’t looked back since. I’m now a complete bike fanatic…they’re a lot easier to modify than cars (and I can fit three bikes in the garage over one car, so it’s a win win) 🤣”

Scott had been wanting an old desert sled, so he jumped on this one when it popped up. It was originally built by another UK fellow, Danny Lilwall, who imported the bike from New York, where it hadn’t been on the road since 1997. However, Danny sold the bike to fund another project before riding it much. 

Interestingly enough,  Scott didn’t know any of this when he purchased the ‘sled, as he got it from the person to whom Danny sold the bike. It was only after Scott posted a photo of the bike on his Instagram page (@moto.vez) that Danny got in touch. 

“He got in contact with me to tell me he built the bike. Small world! He went on to tell me the number board ‘151’ was his late father-in-law’s birthday, so I said I won’t be changing that number.”

For all the well-warranted pitfalls of social media, it does have a way of bringing together the moto community in ways that might never happen otherwise, as is obviously the case here. 

The sled was in need of some TLC when Scott took ownership, and he’s currently fixing it up with sights on the 2026 Malle Mile at Grimsthorpe Castle — the perfect event for this Trophy 250 desert sled to shine in all of its rusty, well-beaten glory. In fact, the patina is one of the highlights of the bike, and Scott has made sure to maintain it.

“I absolutely love the patina of this bike, so I cut the old badges off the rotten old tank and just rubbed the painted decals off the [replacement] tank and added the badges, and it looks great.”

Scott is also sorting a carburetor issue — the previous owner fitted a cheap Chinese carb that never worked right. Scott has sourced an Amal carb and pancake filter that will match perfectly with the period look of the bike. All in all, this is one very neat Trophy 250 desert sled, and we look forward to seeing Scott put it through its paces at next year’s Malle Mile. 

Below is our full interview with Scott about the build, and stay tuned for Scott’s latest build, a very cool Yamaha Super Ténéré TDM 850 Sonauto Paris Dakar replica!

Triumph Trophy 250 Desert Sled: Owner Interview

• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workspace (if you have one).

So I’m a mechanic of 25 years in the motor trade and I’ve always been into modifying cars but over Covid me and my good friend Alex (@akmoto) decided to book our full access bike test and we both haven’t looked back since, I’m now a complete bike fanatic and they’re a lot easier to modify than cars (and i I can fit 3 bikes in the garage over 1 car so it’s a win win) 🤣

Since working on the bikes pretty much every weekend it’s really opened my mind to try new out the box things so it’s a great hobby to have along with riding. I think I enjoy modifying/photography just as just as the riding.

I carry out a majority of my work myself in my garage and it’s fast becoming a bit of a man cave for me and all my mates to work on our projects.

• Why did you decide this ‘sled? Were you in the market or just came across it?

I’ve recently finished my T100 build, which is without doubt my favourite bike I’ve owned. That said I’ve always had a dream of owning an old desert sled so as soon as this popped up on market place I just had to have it!

• What work have you done to the bike?

It’s my job now to get it running right, as it had a cheap Chinese carb on it, which just kept dying on me. I’ve now got a genuine Amal carb and original pancake filter to get it running correctly, then I’ll be carrying out all maintenance work as it’s got a few broken parts, but I won’t be changing the patina as it just looks fantastic as it is.

The only cosmetic things I’ve done since purchased it are to change the tank and make the tank look worn and rustic like the rest of the bike.

The bike came with two tanks but one was sadly too rotten to save, so I went with the one pictured which is a bit beaten up but a solid tank. I absolutely love the patina of this bike so I cut the old badges off the rotten old tank and just rubbed the painted decals off the tank and added the badges and it looks great.

My only job left really is to fit the original Amal carb and air filter…

• What are your plans for this T25W?

I’m currently finishing restoring a super tenere xtz but as soon as that’s finished I’ll be going the T25 running properly and blasting down some green lanes ready to take it to the Malle mile next year.

More Photos

Follow the Builder

Instagram: @moto.vez
Photography: Scott Verrall (owner)

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