1968, Triumph T100

1939 saw the first of the Tiger 100 (aka T100) models Triumphs roll off the production line in Coventry.  At that time the T100 was the fastest model Triumph generally available for the public to buy, the T100 reffering to a suposed top speed of 100mph.  Models between ‘39 and ‘60 were pre-Unit (meaning separate gearbox and engine), in production througout the war despite the factory being bombed, finaly being superceeded in early ‘60 by substantial changes in frame and engine.  In 1960 Triumph introduced the Unit engine to the T100 (combined gearbox and engine) amongst other frame, fork and other modifications and staying in similar trim through to the last models being superceeded by the T110 in 1973.

The T100 has been well written up in many books, many which I’ve refereed to during the re-build or restoration of the T100 I purchased for my wife to use.

The re-build and general restoration of the T100 I have started back in June 2008 when by chance I bought the bike from a friend in the village who had used the bike for his daily commute until 1979.  The bike had been dry stored in his garage under cover for over 20 years and as you can image the bike was a little tired and not in original trim.

Image 1: 1968 Triumph Tiger 100.

Image 1 shows the rainy day in June when my father and I rolled the bike into my garage, it rolled quite nicely albeit on flat tyres; still not knowing even if the bike will turn over or change up and down the gears.

The picture doesn’t really show enough detail to see what’s original and whats not but as the bike had been used for a daily commute you can imagine that there had been upgrades, parts replacements and general changes (like the colour) over the years.