Triumph Tiger 80

Edward Turner's arrival at Triumph in 1936 breathed new life into the existing Val Page-designed range being offered by the Coventry firm.

A brilliant designer and stylist, Turner set about revamping his predecessor's designs, incorporating sporting specifications to the overhead valve machines giving them stylish hi-level exhausts, chromed fuel tanks and a new name, ‘Tiger’: the Tiger 70 having a 250cc engine, Tiger 80 (350cc) and Tiger 90 (500cc) .

Tiger frames, forks engines and gearboxes all received improvements for 1937 and three randomly selected Tigers completed a series of arduous observed speed trials in that year to secure the Maudes Trophy for Triumph.

The designation number of each of these Tiger models related to their top speed. In the case of the tiger 80 offered here, it was 80mph and was said to produce 20bhp at 5,700rpm from its 343cc 70mm bore by 89mm stroke engine.

Coming from a private collection, LSJ 359, the Tiger 80 offered here, represents the final 1939 type specification machine, the pinnacle of design for pre-Second World War machines. Soon after this more pressing things were concerning the motorcycle manufacturer, meaning it was to be another 10 years before proper sporting motorcycles were offered to the public again.

Said to be in good running order, this looks to be a complete, nicely patinated machine which would be a willing and enthusiastic performer, of a decent power and a relatively lightweight mount. It comes with a V5C, various old tax discs from 2000 to 2003 plus two old MOTs from 1998 and 2001.