Triumph’s “100” series was one of the most popular motorbikes to be manufactured in the UK in the post-war period, “100” referring to the bike’s claimed top speed of 100mph.

With significant sales in both the UK and the US, it quickly established itself as a fast, reliable and great-handling sports bike. Manufactured from 1939 to 1940, production ceased when the factory was bombed during World War 2. It resumed after the war and continued until 1973 with many variants being produced, featuring a variety of capacities and power outputs.

The bike has had 12 owners since its first registration in August 1968. The current keeper has owned it since October last year and is now selling it as he is moving and has nowhere to keep it. The previous owner since July 2017 and is only letting it go as they are no longer able to use it regularly.

A previous owner extensively and sympathetically restored the bike, having it repainted and completely rebuilding it with many new parts, while at the same time maintaining the bike’s original patina wherever possible. Obviously, as a historic vehicle, it is also exempt from tax and MOT.

As well as the current V5, the owner has a good file of paperwork that comes with the bike. Included are many receipts from when a previous owner restored the bike, which clearly show that even the smallest parts of the vehicle were refreshed wherever possible.

Also present are copies of the original registration documents as well as copies of the previous ownership documents from the DVLA. The MOT documentation confirms the indicated mileage is correct, and are present up until 2018. They also show how little mileage the bike has covered each year.

During its restoration, the bike’s paint was completely refreshed. The two-tone silver and green metallic paint is in excellent condition, as is the black painted frame. 

All of the vehicle’s chrome brightwork, mud-guards, handlebars and stainless steel spoked wheels are in very good condition. 

Tigers came with a number of engine layouts. This model has the kickstart, twin-cylinder 500cc, providing a healthy slug of power and sounding fantastically burbly, in the way only a twin-cylinder can. During the restoration, a significant amount of work was carried out on the mechanical aspects of the bike, and the engine, suspension components and brakes are all in very good condition.

As part of the restoration, the pistons were replaced with slightly over-sized items, and the cylinders were rebored and honed to provide the smoothest possible delivery of power.

Triumph’s Tiger is an iconic motorbike, simple enough for the home mechanic to easily maintain, yet offering great handling and a hefty slug of grunt for a bike of this vintage. It’s no wonder they were so popular both here and in the US. Even Bob Dylan had one (until he crashed it in 1966, but let’s not talk about that).

While there are still quite a number on the road, very few will be found in this kind of condition. The restoration has obviously been carried out with real love and attention to detail. Everything that needed to be done to bring the bike back to tip-top condition has been done, and done well. We love the fact that many aspects of the bike have been kept as original as possible, it really does look the part, especially with that gorgeous silver and green two-tone paintwork.

As far as we’re concerned, this is the perfect classic motorbike – proven mechanicals, plenty of power from that cracking twin-cylinder 500cc powerplant, and a great chassis. It’s the ideal way to spend a sunny Sunday, burbling happily along the country lanes and B-roads or Britain, zipping from café to café, face-splitting grin and 60s cafe-racer jacket completing the look.

If you’re after a classic bike that’s in lovely condition, should give you many years of motoring pleasure, and is ready to go for next year’s biking season, this little gem should be very high on your list.