Triumph Tiger 100

Make Model	Triumph Tiger 100
Year	1938 - 40
Engine	Four stroke, parallel twin, OHV, 360^o firing interval
Capacity	498 cc / 30.4 cu in
Bore x Stroke	63 x 80 mm
Compression Ratio	7.0:1
Cooling System	Air cooled
Exhaust	Two-into-two, chrome
Induction	Single Amal carburetor
Starting	Kick
Max Power	20.9 kW / 28 hp @ 6000 rpm
Frame	Single tubular steel cradle
Clutch	Wet, multi-plate
Transmission	4-Speed
Final Drive	Chain
Front Suspension	Girder fork
Rear Suspension	Rigid, spring loaded saddle
Front Brakes	Drum, 7 in
Rear Brakes	Drum, 7 in
Front Wheel	3.25 - 20
Rear Wheel	3.50 - 19
Dimensions	Length: 2134 mm / 84.0 in
Wheelbase	1397 mm / 55.0 in
Seat Height	737 mm / 29.0 in
Dry Weight	166 kg / 365 lbs
Fuel Capacity	18 L / 4.8 US gal / 4.0 Imp gal
Top Speed	161 km/h / 100 mph

With the runaway sales success of the Triumph Speed Twin, Edward Turner's mind turned to further developing the potential of his new parallel twin motor. The lighter and more powerful Tiger 100 was developed as a sports enthusiasts machine, where as with previous models the '100' referred to its claimed maximum speed.

Technical changes over the Speed Twin included forged alloy pistons, a very early use of the technology. Secondly, the cylinders were forged in a single casting and held in place by eight studs, instead of the Speed Twin’s six. Thirdly, the Tiger 100 used a single Amal carburetor, possible thanks to the 360-degree firing interval of the two cylinders. Finished in silver and costing £5 more, new features included a larger fuel tank and detachable silencers.

In March 1939, Triumph came up with an unorthodox 'launch' of the new Tiger 100. Using a Tiger 100 and a Speed Twin straight from dealers showrooms, endurance was tested with a run of over 1,800 miles (2,900 km) from John o'Groats to Land's End in Cornwall then to the Brooklands circuit for six hours of continuous high-speed laps, where riders Ivan Wicksteed and David Whitworth averaged 78.5 miles per hour (126.3 km/h) with a final lap of 88.5 miles per hour (142.4 km/h), winning Triumph the Maudes Trophy. The Tiger100's sporting pretensions were later further proven through Freddie Clarke’s 1939 lap record at Brooklands of 118.02 miles per hour (189.93 km/h) on a bored-out 503 cc Tiger 100.

The Triumph works was destroyed by German bombers on the night of 14 November 1940 - along with much of the city of Coventry bringing production of the Tiger 100 to an end until after the war.