Triumph Tiger 70

Make Model	Triumph Tiger 70
Year	1937 - 40
Engine	Single cylinder, single port OHV with automatic lubrication to rockers and valve guides
Capacity	249 cc / 15.2 cu in
Bore x Stroke	63 x 80 mm
Cooling System	Air cooled
Oil Capacity	3.4 L / 0.90 US gal / 0.75 Imp gal
Exhaust	One into one
Ignition	Lucas, 6V Magdyno
Starting	Kick
Max Power	11.9 kW / 16 hp @ 5800 rpm
Frame	Single cradle, steel
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
Fuel Capacity	12.5 L / 3.3 US gal / 2.75 Imp gal
Top Speed	104 km/h / 65 mph

Jack Sangster, the owner of Triumph motor cycles from January 1936, moved Edward Turner across from Ariel, along with Bert Hopwood as Chief Draughtsman, in order to get something done to boost Triumph's flagging product line and sales figures. Val Page had produced good engines, and Turner acknowledged this, but they lacked the 'eye appeal' to attract customers.

With no time to design anew, and not really necessary as the 'basics' were good, Turner set to in providing that 'eye appeal' and also in providing a meaningful name. Thus, with small 'tinware' changes and 'shell blue sheen' replacing the drab black, by April Turner had three new models on the road for testing. The Model L2/1 became the Tiger 70, the Model 3/2 became the Tiger 80 and the Model 5/5 became top of the range Tiger 90. (The numbers gave an indication of their top speeds.)

Initially the original twin down-tube frames were used, and even the engine numbers continued their sequences, but with an addition to indicate that they were fitted to a Tiger.
With time to make further improvements later models were given more sporting looking single down-tube frames and further 'tinware' improvements were made, and these three models continued through to 1939, being joined in their last year by a further 500cc Tiger model - the Tiger 100 Twin of 1939.