1973 Triumph Tiger 650cc Solo Motorcycle

With origins dating back to 1902, Triumph established a long and proud tradition of building powerful and rapid motorcycles. It wasn't until the Thirties that, in new ownership, Triumph really began to build some very successful motorbikes, beginning with the Tiger range of singles and moving on to the Speed Twins in 1937. A new 650cc model of the Speed Twin, known as the Thunderbird, was launched for the American market and received a boost when Marlon Brando rode one in the 1950 classic movie The Wild One. The Tiger was a high performance derivative of the Thunderbird and both models evolved through the years. For example, in 1962 unit construction was introduced with a duplex frame on the 650cc twins and for 1970 the frame underwent a redesign, with taller twin front down-tubes. A five-speed gearbox was announced in 1971 and for 1972, the TR6 became the TR6R Tiger (for road use) and TR6C Trophy model for off-road use. In 1973, the 650cc engine was replaced by a 750cc unit with a revised frame and front disc brake, but inroads by the Japanese along with the general malaise of the British motorcycle industry saw the formation of the Norton-Villiers-Triumph conglomeration that year. Such were the protests against shifting production from Meriden to the BSA factory in Birmingham that a co-operative was established in March 1975 to resume manufacture of the Bonneville at the traditional home of Triumph. Sadly, this too ultimately proved futile and the door was finally closed at Meriden in 1983, ending a proud chapter in British motorcycling history.