I purchased this 1961 Triumph Tiger Cub in April 2009. It was a T20SL model with matching engine and frame numbers – 77690.
The bike had not been licensed since February 2004 and had sat in a shed for five years. During that time, the bike had accumulated a fair amount of rust.
It didn’t take long to get the bike running but it required a lot of cosmetic work.
The first job was to clean up the rusty metal to see what was underneath and then I set about ordering replacement parts.
The rusty (aftermarket) rear shocks were replaced with a pair of Hagon Classic III aftermarket shocks that are fairly similar in appearance to the stock items. The shocks were purchased from www.bits4motorbikes.co.uk. Whilst they were listed as fitting the Tiger Cub they turned out to need some modification. I had to grind out the interior of the steel bushings on the bottom eye as they were not large enough to slide over the frame lug. Then, I had to grind down both sides of the steel bushing in the top eyes so that they would fit between the bracket on the frame.
Old shock removed
Old shock and the replacement
Hagon shock fitted
Hagon shock fitted
Subsequent modifications included a set of alloy Akront Morad wheel rims, new tyres, new handlebars, new handlebar grips, new levers and new cables which replaced the old rusty items. The bike was looking much better.
Akront Morad rims
Akront Morad rims
Akront Morad rims
Akront Morad rims
Akront Morad rims
With modifications
New handlebars, levers and grips
By September 2011, I owned four motorcycles and had begun the process of buying and equipping my Land Rover for my 2014 expedition. I had to sell the Triumph to help pay for the Land Rover. But it was fun whilst it lasted!
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