Triumph Tiger 90

Make Model	Triumph Tiger 90
Year	1937 - 40
Engine	Four stroke, single cylinder, pushrod-OHV, 2 valves
Capacity	497 cc / 30.3 cu in
Bore x Stroke	84 x 89 mm
Compression Ratio	7.5:1
Cooling System	Air cooled
Exhaust	One-into-one, chrome
Induction	Carburetor
Starting	Kick
Max Power	18 kW / 24 hp
Frame	Single downtube, tubular-steel cradle
Transmission	4-Sppeed
Final Drive	Chain
Front Suspension	Grider fork with adjustable friction damping
Rear Suspension	Rigid, spring loaded saddle
Front Brakes	200 mm Single leading shoe drum, expanding
Rear Brakes	200 mm Single leading shoe drum, expanding
Front Wheel	20", chrome, spokes
Rear Wheel	19", chrome, spokes
Dry Weight	166 kg / 366 lbs
Fuel Capacity	14.8 L / 3.9 US gal / 3.3 Imp gal
Top Speed	140 km/h / 87 mph
Colours	Silver sheen, chrome-plate, blue pinstripes

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.