I don't know about holding up to the bikes of the day. Take a look at land speed records and flat track and sidecar racing in the day and you will see Triumph at the top of the list. Look at hill climbing today and again the OLD Triumphs are still placing 1st through 5th.

I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!