Is this a 1936 Triumph Tiger 70

[cardan]

Hi All,

I'm trying to identify the "hidden" bike in this photo.

For a number of reasons I think it might be a 1936 Triumph Tiger 70, but I can't find a photo of a very early Tiger 70 to compare with. The story goes that the Tigers were introduced in April 1936, and I suppose these first models were "1936 Models". The 1937 Models were announced later in the year, but I think they had the fork damper on the lower fork spindle.

But what would I know? The features that might help identify the bike are the smaller headlamp, absence of lower headlamp brackets, damper on the top of the fork, and a shapely chrome-plated tank with a transfer which is not the usual 1936 pattern. Does anyone have an illustration of a Tiger 70 when announced in April 1936?

Thanks in advance,

Leon

[sprocket-in-my-socket]

Hi Leon,

why should it be a Tiger?
Could be also another Triumph model.
Maybe one on this page:
http://users.actrix.co.nz/cornelius/Triumph/ValPage.htm

Regards,
Helmut

[cardan]

Hi Helmut,

Yes it could be one of the Val Page bikes, but it seems to have a curvy chrome tank with painted panels, and the word "Triumph" on the tank is smaller and in a different script to the Page bikes. I have a 1936 catalogue, and the only bike that is like this is the Model 6/1 (the page parallel twin) but it has an 8" head lamp. Most of the Page bikes have plain black tanks.

The catalogue talks about an extra called the "S.S. Equipment" (super sport maybe?) which is an upgrade to chrome tank, a panel in the tank, foot gearchange, and 8" headlamp.

The bike in the photo is has the single horizontal head-light brackets (like the Model 2/1 250, but unlike the up-market Model L.2/1) but still has the small headlamp.

The bike is not in the 1936 catalogue, not is it a 1937 model.

No shortage of illustrations of a 1937 Tiger 70, but I can't find an illustration of a 1936 Tiger 70 as introduced in 1936.

Cheers

Leon

[mini-me]

Is it certain its a Triumph?

for some reason the curvature of the top side of the badge puts me in mind of the New Imperial logo of some years.

Just a thought.

[cardan]

No, I'm not certain - good thought. I'll have another look.

Leon

[murdo]

My eyes aren't that good, but to me the third letter drops below the line of the others as in  'Imperial'.