Triumph Tiger 100

Make Model	Triumph Tiger 100
Year	1946 - 59
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	7.6:1
Cooling System	Air cooled
Exhaust	Two-into-two, chrome
Induction	Amal Monobloc, type 276
Ignition	Lucas magneto
Starting	Kick
Max Power	23.9 kW / 32 hp @ 6500 rpm
Frame	Brazed lug, full cradle, rigid
Clutch	Wet, multi-plate
Transmission	4-Speed
Final Drive	Chain
Gear Ratios	1st 12.20 / 2nd 8.45 / 3rd 5.95 / 4th 5.00:1
Front Suspension	Telescopic fork, hydraulic damping
Rear Suspension	Rigid, spring loaded saddle
Front Brakes	7" SLS drum
Rear Brakes	7" SLS drum
Front Wheel	3.25 - 19, Dunlop
Rear Wheel	3.50 - 19, Dunlop
Wheelbase	1416 mm / 55.75 in
Seat Height	775 mm / 30.5 in
Ground Clearance	127 mm / 5.0 in
Wet Weight	170 kg / 375 lbs
Fuel Capacity	18 L / 4.8 US gal / 4.0 Imp gal
Top Speed	191 km/h / 119 mph

Like just about every other motorcycle built in England at the time, the 1947 Triumph T100 Tiger was largely a carry-over from the pre-war models. They ran the same basic engine and gearbox, and the rigid frames were identical. However, the big difference, and the big news in 1946 was the adoption of telescopic front forks, replacing the old girder forks, and the option of a (now infamous) sprung rear hub. The sprung hub was sort of an interim solution in the rear suspension-department.

Triumph wasn’t quite ready to abandon their trust old rigid frame, so they came up with a new rear hub that incorporated several springs set radially around the axle within the hub itself that were supposed to absorb the bumps. That sort of happened, but what they also got was a sloppy rear wheel that tended to move in other directions than that for which it was designed. As long as they were in good condition and properly set up, they weren’t too bad. But worn out, or out of adjustment, they could severely impair the handling of the bike.