Beschreibung
I bought the bike 2 years ago. My first ever bike in 1961 was a Tiger Cub so it was a nostalgia trip. It's had two previous owners.
I bought it from Mike Powell, the Tiger Cub specialist in Shropshire.
When I first saw it it was only partially assembled and not running. However it had correct matching numbers, an Authentication Certificate from the Triumph Tiger Cub and Terrier Association, and a lot of expensive new parts, such as petrol tank, exhaust and silencer, wheels (front chrome, rear stainless), headlight, bars, switch gear, levers, tyres, chain, seat etc.
The engine had been completely rebuilt and has very good compression.
Originally Sports Cubs were fitted with battery-less ignition and lighting. This made them fractionally lighter for competition use but difficult to start and with feeble lights. I wanted it to start easily and have good lighting for today's roads so changed the alternator to 12 volts and fitted a battery and the correct Tiger Cub battery box. The ignition was upgraded with a new coil and capacitor , all from the ever helpful Paul Goff who also supplied brilliant (literally) LED lights all round. This system produces the fattest spark i've ever seen and really bright lights. Starting is now second kick every time.
The carburettor is the correct large bore Amal Monobloc which I've rebuilt with complete kit from Burlem and a new petrol tap.
To cope with modern conditions the front brake has been fitted with upgraded shoes from Villiers, which are still bedding in.
The frame and cycle parts are very much still original, not powder-coated. They are completely sound with a few normal age related marks and scuffs. The 1960 Sports Cub was a major development of the standard Cub. The engine produces 14 bhp as against the standard 10 bhp. This was achieved with a better breathing, bigger Amal carburettor and a higher compression ratio. The font forks were upgraded to the heavy duty forks from the 350cc Triumph T21 to improve handling and to cope with off-road use. Interestingly, contemporary road tests described the Sports Cub as being faster than the 350cc Triumph T21, and of course much lighter.
The development of the Sports Cub is described in great detail in "The Triumph Tiger Cub Bible" by Mike Estall.
A copy of the book is included with this bike.
Also included are a DVLA Historic Vehicle Certificate, the correct Triumph Tiger Cub Replacement Parts Catalogue, a Tiger Cub Owner's Manual, and a Haynes Workshop Manual.
I've read accounts on the internet of people fitting the much larger 7 inch full width front brake from the Triumph T21 to the Sports Cub. This is possible because they share the same front forks. I recently had a chance to buy a T21 front brake which I haven't fitted, and this goes with this bike.
