A Triumph for BSA

See MEW no 251, page 42 "On the Wire" Photo 1

Surely the Tiger Cub was badged Triumph. Although, BSA was the parent company.

I seem to remember a 200 cc 4-stroke single.

Photo 2 that Dommie brings back memories, when fitted with a full "Police" fairing.  Must be getting on for 60 years ago, I think the M1 motorway had not long been open.

Edited By Robbo on 24/01/2017 16:13:40

It seems that the entire foundations of Marshall House have been shaken. The SMEE press officer has donned sackcloth and ashes and even offered to buy me a compensatory drink when I finally evade the packs of ravaging bikers coming after me with chains and monkey wrenches held aloft.

Worst of all, I don't think I'll be able to look my dad in the eye after this...

Neil

The Tiger Cub was a Triumph. I owned one in the late 60s. Various incestuous goings on between Triumph and BSA around then but as far as I'm aware no Cub was ever (officially) badged BSA. I paid £24 for it - wish I still owned it; they go for many times that nowadays.

BSA took over Triumph in 1951 and although similar in many respects to the BSAC15 design , if somewhat smaller, the Tiger cub was indeed a Triumph design , one can tell as it had a silly little plunger oil pump, unlike the BSA's which tended to have gear pumps.Towards the end of production there was a Bantam Cub, which was indeed a Cub engine in a Bantam frame. whether it badged BSA or riumph I don't know off hand.

The tiger cub was a updated version of Triumph's 150cc Terrier.

**LINK**

The last Tiger cubs had BSA Bantam frames, there were badge as Triumphs.

.**LINK**

My Tiger cub took me along many a green road, the length of the Icknield way in he days when it was so quiet that seeing others alone it was unusual, sat on it in the middle of Stonehenge eating my lunch, camped on Maiden Castle for a weekend, gained a bronze medal in the ACU 24hr road trial ending in Belle Vue Manchester. road it around most of England,South Wales, Scotland and sold it when I joined the Army.Great bike and in many ways more enjoyable than many of the large Japanese bikes I have ridden since.

Once upon a time there was a tavern
Where we used to raise a glass or two
Remember how we laughed away the hours
And dreamed of all the great things we would do

Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end

Mary Hopkins

Bsa owned triumph and ariel (an underrated marque) since sometime in the 1950's. The oil pumps, yes triumph used plungers and bsa gear type pumps. The problem with the gear pump was the oil tended to drain down from the oil tank, past the pump into the sump. This left you with a messy task. The plunger pumps had a tendency to wear, leading to low oil pressure, though it never seemed to bother anyone.

I had a Tiger Cub trials bike, think it was a genuine trials. Worst bike I ever owned, and that is saying a lot. Strange ignition system that had a mind of its own. Threw it over a quarry edge one day in frustration. Strong though, still pushable after that.

If it were a genuine trials cub, it would be worth a few bob now, they are very sought after. Of course there are all sorts of little businesses doing upgraded parts to get these old clunks semi-reliable. The big end on the cub was a real weak spot, being a cheap phosphor bronze bush. Roller bearings are now available.

Ah, Ronan, if only. Also had a Norton 500T, 500 Vincent, 500 V twin BSA, etc.etc. Of course if they all still existed they would not be worth much now.

Are you joking ? Anything vincent is worth a bundle.

Are you joking ? Anything vincent is worth a bundle.

No. Gordon is not joking. None of those marques exist nowadays. That is precisely why they are now valuable - 'cos they aain't making any more of them?

I had a little chuckle to myself when I saw bsa tiger cub, allways competition between the tiger cub & the c15, you can still get a vincent [or a broughh superior for that matter] built today [if you've got the dosh!!],I sold my norton ss to my brother for £60 so I could buy a brand new myford super 7 b complete with cabinet stand reversing switch 3 jaw & motor[the motors were extra then & I was on a waiting list for the lathe] got it from stephensons north rd darlington for £350.00 I still have it & my brother still has my norton but it's worth more than the myford Grrrr.

Anyone watch "shed and buried" on the travel channel the other night. They were looking at (and bought) a tiger cub. There were bsa b40's and c15s too. They were looking around a stately home turned scrap yard (blackborough house ?).