1970 Triumph Tiger 650cc Motorcycle

Description

Although Triumph’s origins date back to 1902, it wasn’t until the Thirties when, under new ownership, the company began to build some very successful motorbikes, beginning with the Tiger range of singles and moving on to the Speed Twins in 1937.  Launched in March 1939 and designed by the talented Edward Turner, the Tiger 100 was a high performance derivative of the parallel twin, featuring forged alloy pistons, a single Amal carburettor and was both lighter and more powerful than the Speed Twin it supplemented.  Both models evolved through the years, with swing-arm rear suspension added in 1954, unit construction introduced in 1960 and the frame underwent a further redesign in 1970, with taller twin front down-tubes.  The Tiger was sold in a myriad of different models over the years, including the Daytona and off-road Trophy variants.  Further refinements followed in the early 1970s, with the road-going TR6R joined by the TR6C Trophy model for off-road use in 1972 and the following year saw the addition of a front disc brake, expanded 750cc engine and revised frame.  However the general decline of the British motorcycle industry, combined with the massive inroads made by the Japanese manufacturers, saw the formation of the Norton-Villiers-Triumph conglomeration that year.  Such were the protests against shifting production from Meriden to the BSA factory in Birmingham that a co-operative was established in March 1975 to resume manufacture of the Bonneville at the traditional home of Triumph.  Sadly, this too ultimately proved futile and the door was finally closed at Meriden in 1983, ending a proud chapter in British motorcycling history.