.

Triumph Tiger 80

.  

Make Model

Triumph Tiger 80

Year

1937 - 40

Engine

Single cylinder, single port OHV with automatic lubrication to rockers and valve guides

Capacity

349 cc / 21.3 cu in

Bore x Stroke

70 x 89 mm

Compression Ratio

7.5:1

Cooling System

Air cooled

Exhaust

One-into-one

Starting

Kick

Max Power

14.9 kW / 20 hp @ 5700 rpm

Frame

Single cradle, steel

Transmission

4-Speed

Final Drive

Chain

Front Suspension

Rigid, dual springs

Rear Suspension

Rigid, spring loaded saddle

Front Brakes

Drum

Rear Brakes

Drum

Front Wheel

3.00 x 26", Dunlop ribbed

Rear Wheel

3.25 x 26", Dunlop ribbed

Wheelbase

1400 mm / 55 in

 

Just as he had done at Ariel in the 1920s, Val Page transformed his employer's ageing range on his arrival at Meriden as Triumph's Chief Designer in 1932. The new line-up comprised overhead-valve and sidevalve singles in capacities ranging from 250cc to 500cc, plus the range-topping 650cc 6/1 sidecar tug. Endowed with distinctive timing-gear covers - a feature Page would employ at BSA later in the decade - the engines were simple yet robust in construction and amenable to a fair degree of tuning in the case of the overhead-valve units.

Edward Turner's arrival at Triumph in 1936 resulted in extensive improvements to the range. A brilliant stylist, Turner transformed the Page-designed overhead-valve singles by adopting sports specification engines, high level exhausts, chromed fuel tanks and a new name: 'Tiger'. Frames, forks, engines and gearboxes were all improved for 1937 and a trio of randomly selected Tigers successfully completed a series of arduous speed trails to secure the Maudes Trophy for Triumph later in the year. Today, Turner's Tigers are widely recognised as the most stylish sports roadsters of the period and thus are highly sought after.