Greetings! I recently persuaded my dad to get his 1963 tiger cub out of the shed where it has been 'stored' for the last 42 years (last ridden in 1979). It is in a pretty bad state. It seems to have a few modifications (e.g. handlebars). I would love to get it restored. I know next to nothing about motorcycles, but I'd be willing to do what I can and learn as I go...with some expert/professional help of course! I'm not in a hurry and fancy a challenge. I'd value thoughts on where to start. I've no idea what is salvageable, and what would need to be replaced. I'd love to hear from anyone who has taken on something similar. I've attached a few pics. Cheers.
Hi TooTone, sorry I am unable to help you out physically with the Cub as you live to far away, the Triumph Owners Motorcycle Club (TOMCC) have a dedicated section for the Triumph Tiger Cub and Terrier, you can get every part you may need via the website, it offers a dating service for the machines and technical help, given the amount of time the Cub has been laid up it may be off the clubs radar, they are always interested in assisting with the restoration of Cubs, if you have any registration documents especially the buff log book, this can shed further light on previous owners, they are very easy to work on and yours looks largely intact. A lot depends on how far you wish to go with your restoration, by that I mean show condition or a nice roadworthy presentable machine, that should be your first thought, you can get detailed factory spec sheets and drawings that can assist you in making a list of anything that may be missing, the battery box cover for example that is missing in the photos. Given you say you have limited mechanical skills with motorcycles, I would suggest you don't rush in and start dismantling the machine, taking detailed photos of every stage of dismantling will assist with the rebuild, the more the better, the cubs are so easy to work on with minimal specialist tools required, I suspect the engine will be seized solid by now given the years it has been stood, and the tank will undoubtedly be rusted inside (hopefully not rotten or holed), although a correct replacement is straight forward to locate. I will attempt to pull in a contact in your area that may be able to assist. I would have assisted if you lived nearer. There are a few things that don't look as though they are original 63 spec, that said does it matter, it is part of the bikes history, gosh back in the day many of us did huge modifications and alterations to our bikes in the quest for more speed, not always for the better I have to say. Come back and let me know if you require anything further.
Hi Tootone and welcome to the forum best of luck sourcing your parts and looking forward to seeing your rebuild progress
Thanks All. Great tips to get me going... I've got in touch with the TOMCC sub-section you mentioned. I'll post some more photos in due course as I go... Aiming for a nice roadworthy presentable machine (not show) is my aim... Cheers!
Hi TooTone, I've got a '55 Tiger Cub that I'm currently 'updating' (I last did it 40 years ago along with my Dad, when I was a teenager, and it now needs a little sprucing up). I agree with Iceman, decide on the level that you want to go to. In my opinion Tiger Cubs are meant for riding I'm also too far away to assist. I do however recommend that you get a copy of Mike Estall's book as there is so much detail there on Cubs that you will find it invaluable. I've got the kindle version and I've various pages book marked for referencing back to. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Triumph-Tiger-Cub-Bible-ebook/dp/B0094HPLWM
yes, welcome don't take it apart until you get a parts book and a shop manual. theyre available online. heres a parts book: https://partsbooks.britishonly.com/partsbooks/20-10239C.pdf and heres a service manual for a 64. should be pretty similar: https://www.manualslib.com/products/Triumph-1964-Tiger-Cub-T20-3967650.html like iceman said, take lots of pictures. later on you will look at that serrated wash and ask yourself, where didi i take this off?
