・Stunning bobber conversion

・Customised frame on base Triumph Tiger T90 bike

・650cc Yamaha XS parallel-twin engine

・Excellent blend of classic and modern in unique fashion

The Triumph Tiger T90 is a development of the ‘Twenty-One’ forerunner, which went on to become the T3A (350cc) and T5A (500cc) bikes using the divisive ‘Bathtub’ bodywork designed to protect the rider from road spray and debris. 

Both sized engines were a unit construction, meaning the engine and gearbox were integral and the bike was equipped with telescopic front forks and a swingarm-based rear suspension set-up. 

The Tiger 100 was borne out of the Twenty One, as a sports-orientated machine based on it. The T100 – the 100 was the bike’s top speed in miles-per-hour – used the 500cc engine but the smaller-capacity 350cc engine was also fitted to the frame, though the lower power output led to a new designation, the Tiger T90 (90mph top speed). 

The 350cc T90 was popular in the UK, with high post-war fuel prices though in the USA, the larger-engined T100 was the more popular option, as fuel prices were not as high and hence, the more frugal nature of the T90 was not well received. The T90 continued on sale until 1968 by which time, cheaper-to-buy and tax 250cc bikes had equalled and - in some cases, exceeded – the performance of the more expensive 350cc bikes and they were quietly dropped for the market. 

This bike was originally a 1965 Triumph Tiger T90 but it has been extensively customised, initially by the previous owner and then further by the current owner, who is presenting it for sale as part of his private collection. Its V5 registration document lists it as a 1965 Triumph with a capacity of 500cc though it also lists the engine number as beginning with T100, suggesting somewhere in its history, the bike had an engine transplant to the larger 500cc Triumph twin.

During the customisation, the frame was converted to hard-tail use, with the suspension and swing arm removed and a solid triangulated section fabricated. The headstock rake angle was increased to give room for a larger 21in front wheel and the original Triumph twin-cylinder engine was replaced with that from a Yamaha XS650. This is a very similar engine in concept to the Triumph original; a 360° parallel-twin with the pistons rising and falling together. The engine was debadged to keep its heritage discrete.

During the course of the customisation, the dual seat was removed to be replaced by a single, sprung-leather ‘bobber’ seat and the rear fender was cut-off in the style of the motorcycle. To cope with the disparity between the Triumph gauges and the Yamaha transmission, a GPS speedometer was fitted atop a custom headlight alongside an engine tachometer and the front suspension from a Harley-Davidson adapted and fitted to the bike. 

The frame was powder coated and the bodywork painted in Nardo Grey, a modern Audi colour. The bike features twin cut-off exhausts with open headers finished in heat-wrap to protect the riders’ legs and the fuel tank also comes from a Harley-Davidson, as do the forward-mounted footpegs and controls and the front and rear wheel rims, the latter finished in satin black.

The bike is accompanied by a selection of paperwork, attesting to the work carried out during the current owner’s time with the machine. There is the UK V5 registration document in his name, as well as receipts for a complete carburettor strip, clean and rebuild and for hardware such as the GPS speedometer and the rear custom tail-light. There are also receipts to confirm the parts for a recent engine service during the current owner’s time stewardship. 

As the bike shows a registration date of 1965, it is outside the rolling 40-year MoT and road tax exemption and therefore, does not require a MoT and benefits from zero-charge road fund licence. 

This motorcycle is in excellent condition. On the day we photographed it, it was slightly grubby and some of the marks seen are specks of dirt rather than marks on the bike itself. The paint on the frame, the engine cases, the wheel rims and the bodywork (the fuel tank and rear fender) is in excellent condition; smooth, even and seemingly undamaged. 

The addition of the gussets on the rear fender means some evidence of the work involved is still visible but it is covered with a smooth, even covering of paint. 

The brightwork – the fuel cap, tail-light, gauges, engine fasteners and covers, handlebars and yokes – are in excellent condition with no corrosion but very slight pitting apparent on one of the engine-case covers. The rubbers on the footpegs appear virtually brand-new and unused and the billet aluminium handlebar levers are in excellent shape. 

The painted fabricated battery box – underneath the seat – features a Triumph logo in carbon-fibre-effect vinyl and the classic-style rear number plate is illuminated by LED-equipped retaining bolts. The leather sprung seat is finished in tan leather and is in excellent condition and the wheels – rims and spokes – appear to be in excellent condition with no issues. 

The Yamaha parallel-twin has had a recent service with the external surfaces being painted in high-temperature paint and the carburettors have had a recent strip, ultrasonic clean and rebuild. The carburettors had yet to be set up correctly when we photographed the bike and as a result, while it started, it would not idle on its own. 

However, it was clear that the exhaust note was deep and throaty and the fact that the engine uses the same fundamental architecture as the original means it will not sound completely out of place but offer more modern performance and reliability. The owner assures us that the carburettors will be correctly set up by the time the bike is presented to the new owner. 

The owner also confirms that all the bike’s systems – the original T90 brakes and gearbox – all work as intended, as does the front suspension. The front tyre is an Avon Roadrunner, designed for classic motorcycles and the rear is a Dunlop Scootsmart sports-touring construction. 

The electrics are minimalist, with twin switches on the centre of the handlebars for the lighting and a thumb control for main/dipped beam and the ignition switch and electric-starter button (though the engine also has a kickstart back-up) are located low on the front of the battery box. The alloy brake and clutch levers are span-adjustable to suit different sizes of hands and the seating position is remarkably comfortable; all controls fall easily to hand and with no unnecessary stretching. 

This is a very special motorcycle; using the classic Triumph Tiger T90 as a base and adding the Yamaha engine as the powerplant for increased performance and improved reliability yet retaining the character of the original engine, the result is a unique and eye-catching machine. Indeed, when we photographed the bike, every single person who walked past it said ‘Old school bobber’ out loud and stopped to find out what it was. 

And that is indicative of this machine; it is a genuine head-turner. But it's far more than just a conversation piece; it is a bike to be used and enjoyed and is one that will not only turn heads as it cruises slowly and super-cool or ups the pace for longer rides, it will put a huge smile on the face of the rider on any journey they take on it. 

This bike really is one of a kind and if you like exclusivity and uniqueness in your motorcycling, then it is the bike for you. 

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