Highlights

One of the first T100SS models
Matching numbers
Extensively restored 2015-2017
Only five miles covered since restoration
Enormous paperwork file includes numerous invoices

The Appeal

Fast and light, from its introduction in 1939 the Triumph Tiger has always been one of the best and most popular choices for the sporting motorcyclist.

The 500cc single was claimed to be capable of smashing the 100mph barrier, and countless numbers of motorcyclists snapped up Tigers to see how it felt to break the ton.

The T100A of the late 1950s sported the famous ‘bathtub’ fairing over the rear wheel, which added weight and proved unpopular at the time. The headlamp nacelle and ‘Roman helmet’ front mudguard were pleasing to the eye, but also added weight and compromised the Tiger’s sporting credentials.

The new T100SS for 1962 redressed the balance, with the ‘bikini’ fairing half the size of the ‘bathtub’, a separate headlamp without nacelle and a slimmed-down front mudguard.

While the ‘bikini’ fairings still weren’t necessarily popular – many owners removed theirs, they were never fitted for America and Triumph dropped them in Britain in 1964 – their scarcity makes the early T100SS especially sought after.

This bike, fortunately, retains its original fairing, and that makes it quite a rare bird.

Better still is that it’s all in the most excellent condition, having seen almost no use following a very thorough restoration, and we don’t think we’d be exaggerating if we said it’s one of the best Tigers you could possibly buy.

The History and Paperwork

Registered with the DVLA in 1985, having most likely spent some time off the road
Earliest recorded owner was Miss Susan Minchinton of Gunnislake, Cornwall, from 1989 to 1995
Extensive restoration completed between 2015 and 2017
It remained around the Devon and Somerset area until purchased by the vendor, a prominent classic motorcycle collector, in 2017
Paperwork includes the current V5, a list of new parts fitted, a copious quantity of invoices for new parts all dating from 2014, MoT certificates from 2015 and 2017, and a copy of a historic V5 from 1995

The Condition

Repainted in what is believed to be its original colour scheme
Many new parts fitted during restoration
Still effectively fresh from restoration

In its striking metallic blue and silver paint, this Triumph certainly stands out.

The fantastically vibrant combination is typical of Triumph’s colour palette in the ’50s and ’60s, which embraced bright hues and metallic finishes long before they were widely adopted by other manufacturers.

The impact, as you can see, is just stunning. The bike is known to have been blue and silver at least as far back as 1995, so it is believed to be the original colour scheme although we cannot confirm it.

Having been repainted during its restoration and subsequently placed into storage in the vendor’s motorcycle collection, the finish, if not perfect, is as close to perfect as you can reasonably hope to see. The seat was recovered, and that also still looks fresh.

Many of the trim and accessories were also replaced, including:

New wheel rims and spokes
New tyres
New tank badges
New headlight shell
New handlebars
New fuel filler cap and tank rack

The only cosmetic wear we noticed is on the knee pads, but it would be cheap and easy to recondition or replace them if you really wanted to.

The Mechanics

New cylinder head purchased in 2014
Many other new parts fitted during restoration
Starts and runs extremely well
Only five miles on the odometer

To get the most out of the Tiger’s 100 mph-plus performance, you really want the engine to be on song, and we’ve no doubts that this one is.

While we cannot say for certain that the engine was rebuilt during the restoration, some of the pre-restoration invoices from 2014 suggest that it would have been, such as one recording the purchase of a new cylinder head.

Aside from that, we can confirm that many other important parts have been renewed, as follows:

New Amal monobloc carburettor
New Siamese exhaust pipes
New brake and clutch levers with dip switch
New throttle
New clutch plates
New chain
Smiths speedometer reconditioned

While it may be natural to suppose that, after five years remaining largely stationary in a collection, any bike may need a spot of reconditioning, we are assured that such is not the case here.

The vendor has always stored his bikes well and kept on top of maintenance, and to prove that this bike remains ready to use, he rode it to and from our photoshoot, so we are able to confirm that it starts well and runs very nicely.

While we cannot guarantee roadworthiness without a current MoT, the fact that this bike has only covered one mile since 2016, and was last MoTed in 2017 with no advisories, suggests that you’re unlikely to find any problems with it.

If we were in your shoes, we’d be itching to jump on it and start racking up a bit of mileage.

Summary

The Tiger T100SS sold enormously well throughout the 1960s as Triumph’s lightweight, sporty offering, but it’s the early British-market examples like this one which are especially desirable on account of their rare and unusual ‘bikini’ fairings.

This example is beautifully presented following its meticulous restoration and, with such little use so far, it promises to be a delight to ride.

It’s in such good condition that it could conceivably be an award-winner at shows and rallies, but that’s not necessarily where the fun lies.

When the roads are empty and the sun's out, you’ll just want to ride and ride.

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