February 2008
Rare Tiger 80 returns to Coventry During 1936 Edward Turner took over at the ailing Triumph factory and decided to update the existing Val Page models. This was undertaken in the early stages by enhancing existing models to produce an interim Tiger range until eventually all-new models were able to be introduced. This meant that for approximately five months there was a short production run of what can only be described as a prototype new Tiger 80. Recently the BMCT was fortunate enough to be able to acquire one of these ultra-rare machines. Indeed it is so rare that the Triumph Owners Club were unaware of its existence. Only two others are known to survive and both are in the USA. This bike was manufactured between April and August 1936 and differs from the later Tiger 80 in having different gearbox, a twindowntube frame and petrol tank with oil pressure indicator instead of a gauge. The front forks feature hand-adjustable damping, and
Martinsyde Update Neil Sinclair reports from Brooklands that the Trust’s 1920 Martinsyde is currently receiving attention from the museum’s volunteers. In order to make the bike safe to ride in demonstrations on the site, a fair amount of work is required on the front forks and brakes, and the steering head bearings also require attention. New tyres also have to be fitted, and our photo shows volunteers Peter and Gordon (didn’t they used to be a pop duo in the Sixties?) with the new tyres ready for installation. You may have seen the article on this bike in December’s Classic Motorcycle magazine. According to the Martinsyde Register our example is the oldest known survivor of the marque since deliveries of the first machines to be
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MEMBERS NEWSLETTER the tool box was mounted adjacent to the top of the rear wheel. Indeed, some of the cycle parts and transmission components bear a marked resemblance to the contemporary and more common Val Page designed Triumph 6/1.
As pictured the bike has just been subject to a “dummy build” to ensure correct fit and function of components before final painting and assembly. The team of volunteers at the Coventry Transport Museum
Trustees: John Kidson (Chairman) Malcolm Aldridge Steve Bagley Paul Barnes John Handley Peter Wellings Ian Walden OBE Administration: Andy Bufton MMS Holly Cottage Bishampton Pershore WR10 2NH Tel: 07754 880116
When the BMCT acquired this motorcycle it was in the late stages of a long restoration. Unfortunately the two previous owners had been unable to finish the project due to ill health, but as you can see from the accompanying photo, the job is nearly complete.
Registered Office: have now taken on the task of Rodborough Court finishing the rebuild of this unuStroud, GL5 3LR sual pre-war middleweight Triumph, and it will soon take its Registered Charity No. place in the superb new Motor509420 cycle Hall which opened last year with the help of a grant from the Website: BMCT. www.bmct.org
produced at the factory only began that year. Later, Martinsyde publicised its success in competition, including some successes at the Brooklands track. These will be remembered on Sunday 20th April when this and other historic machines will be paraded at the Brooklands Museum’s special
event to commemorate the passing of one hundred years since the first motorcycle event at the Track. The atmosphere at these events really has to be experienced as the sights, sounds (and smells) take you back to the heyday of Brooklands as it was in the pre-WWII years.
Contents Tiger 80 returns to Coventry Martinsyde update Festival of 1,000 Bikes AGM Report Haynes Village 100 Missing Enfields Vintage AutoFest 2008