Triumph Tiger Cub 200

[AllanB]

Looking for a project for next year in Europe, like the Bonny but worried about kick starting the early bikes, the newer ones are a bit big at 900cc, so been looking at it's little brother. There are plenty around on Ebay at decent prices and they are lighter easier to kick than the bigger bike.

 

It has that low down torque I favour, but when I was a kid there was a lot of talk about the Cub being unrelaible, just wondered?

 

Also is it a really small bike, I am 1.83 and 83kg?

 

 

 

[DILLIGAD]

Strangely, i had a 1961 Triumph tiger Cub Scrambler when back in UK as a project. It had no battery and I couldn’t get it ever to run right. Much better with a T140e as they sorted out the electrical problems and a beautiful bike to ride too. It leaked zero oil also!! Do not go for the electric start version!

 

 

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[thaiguzzi]

3 hours ago, AllanB said:

It has that low down torque I favour, but when I was a kid there was a lot of talk about the Cub being unrelaible, just wondered?

Don't. In a word.

Unless you are savvy (which i don't think you are - no offense intended) with the spanners, specialist workshop tools like clutch hub pullers, timing pinion pullers, etc etc. A T20 needing restoration will be a money pit. How big is your bucket to throw all your loose change in.

 If you think a CRF two up is gutless wait till you ride a Cub 2 up..... Where you got the low down torque from i do not know - certainly not a Triumph publication.

Listen, i'm a Triumph freak, i've got the logo tattoo'd on me in more than several places. I had a Triumph shop for 15 years, i've worked on them for over 35 years. Stay away from Tiger Cubs with a barge pole. The early ones with a dizzie behind the barrels especially. The later ones with points in the timing cover are better. A bit. C15's are not much better. There is a reason why all Brit bikes below 350cc were shIt.

 IMO, your original idea of a 350 Bullet, Brit or Indian is 100% a better idea and 1000% cheaper. If you want cheap, slow, non expensive, reliable, Triumph name - look at 3TA -5TA's

 I am giving you fair warning if it's cheap and on Ebay it will be a disaster. The good ones (3-4k) will be sold in the specialist press, thru dealers or word of mouth.

 The bottom video is a well known video in the classic trials world. I have seen it a few times. The bike is very well sorted and a Trials Cub is a pleasure to use and i would buy one if i was wealthy. The Japanese rider is well known as a Brit mechanic in Japan. To give you an idea of what a well sorted pre 65 Cub goes for, and what's involved in getting there . let me just end my friendly advice by saying have you got 5-6-7-8 or even 9k GBP spare?

 

[AllanB]

58 minutes ago, thaiguzzi said:

Don't. In a word.

Unless you are savvy (which i don't think you are - no offense intended) with the spanners, specialist workshop tools like clutch hub pullers, timing pinion pullers, etc etc. A T20 needing restoration will be a money pit. How big is your bucket to throw all your loose change in.

 If you think a CRF two up is gutless wait till you ride a Cub 2 up..... Where you got the low down torque from i do not know - certainly not a Triumph publication.

Listen, i'm a Triumph freak, i've got the logo tattoo'd on me in more than several places. I had a Triumph shop for 15 years, i've worked on them for over 35 years. Stay away from Tiger Cubs with a barge pole. The early ones with a dizzie behind the barrels especially. The later ones with points in the timing cover are better. A bit. C15's are not much better. There is a reason why all Brit bikes below 350cc were shIt.

 IMO, your original idea of a 350 Bullet, Brit or Indian is 100% a better idea and 1000% cheaper. If you want cheap, slow, non expensive, reliable, Triumph name - look at 3TA -5TA's

 I am giving you fair warning if it's cheap and on Ebay it will be a disaster. The good ones (3-4k) will be sold in the specialist press, thru dealers or word of mouth.

 The bottom video is a well known video in the classic trials world. I have seen it a few times. The bike is very well sorted and a Trials Cub is a pleasure to use and i would buy one if i was wealthy. The Japanese rider is well known as a Brit mechanic in Japan. To give you an idea of what a well sorted pre 65 Cub goes for, and what's involved in getting there . let me just end my friendly advice by saying have you got 5-6-7-8 or even 9k GBP spare?

 

Thanks for that bruv, that is consistant with what I heard at the time, that they spent a lot of time off the road, followed by a short spell on. It also explains why they are so cheap on Ebay. I also looked on Youtube too and couldn't find anyone doing anything, other than a 2 minute trip.

 

I will be very much on my own in central Portugal, so special tools will be DIY and with no machine tools to speak of...

 

Will look again. 350 REs are cheap and plentiful too, but that is because (I guess) people want the 500. I can't see the point since a) vibration sets in at 80/90 kph and the 350 vibrates less. The Indians seem to ride them more sedately, understandable given the roads.

 

Thanks again.

[thaiguzzi]

Most Brit 350 singles are smoother and a better ride & choice than their larger 500 brothers.

Be it RE, BSA, AJS & Matchless, Norton, Ariel et al.

The 500's just have 5-10 mph more top end and a bit more oomph, but not a lot more.

I'd have a look at the single carb 350-500 unit Triumphs & BSA's twins. 3TA-5TA, and A50's. Reliable, smooth, easy to get parts for, & still not reached the silly money stage their bigger siblings have.