Triumphrat

Drifter

I have heard that the cub of 68/69 was the best due to engine mods and the bearing changes. Is this correct and if so what was the main problem with the early ones and what changed exactly.

What is the most common problem with these bikes?

Are there any years to avoid and how reliable in general are they compared to the twins of that era?

epynt1050

Tiger Cubs are basically good reliable bike and now much sort after in UK with some silly prices to match.
Main problem was neglect and spotty 18 yr olds trashing the pants of them. Even then, they stood up to the abuse better than most competitors. Quite an industry built up around them in UK as they are used in pre65 trials. Just about every part now available.
See www.cubsite.com/Cubs.htm

DAVE M

I have a 56 plunger framed cub (owned since I was 16) and am currently looking at a basket case 59.

The Cubsite is really handy.

The cub was, as said above, thrashed and the early ones were under engineered. By the late 60's, all of the design faults had been sorted so they were the best ones in engineering terms.

I love my plunger one, and next favorite would probbly be a Mountain Cub off road style.

The best book is the Tiger Cub Bible by Mike Estall. He's a top bloke who runs the register and can provide (for a fee) info on any Cub that you have (I say any - I hope thta's true)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Triumph-Tige...2316621&sr=8-1

Drifter

No i do not have one... yet....wanted some general info first. I ordered the book! I figure after a few hours reading i will have a better idea of what i want. My plan is to use it when we travel. As a motorhome bike, small and light and different! Besides if its like my Old triumphs, i will have something to do keeping it running and cleaning the oil leaks....

After i log off i will try and find the cubsite you mentioned. Thanks for the info!!

DAVE M

you don't say where you are but I guess the States or Canada

Over here, Cubs are pretty common but parts used to be a nightmare. Since the internet, it's been far easier. I spent 8 years trying to find NOS front forks by writing and phoning.
Thank Gawd for Google

http://www.triumphtigercubspares.co.uk/
have loads of bits and make some but if you're overseas then postage will be a killer.

You may find that by posting on the cubsite you'll find a cub owner near you that can help.

as with all bikes, try to get one with most of it there!

Drifter

I am in the US, i ordered the book from amazon and tried to register at the cub site yesterday. It says it takes 24 hours or more to be cleared by the owner, looking forward to getting on there.

Have any of you that have these bikes ever checked the gas mileage? Will they run 50 mph? I would imagine finding parts for a 59would be difficult. What were the production numbers for these? The Cub bible probably has this info right?

Is there much repo stuff out there? Sure would be Nice if Triumph would bring out a new one with injection and priced around 3k they would sell a ton of them, just old /middle aged guys would purchase many of em. Till then we will have to be happy with the old iron.

DAVE M

about 100mpg and 60 mph is average I guess, people used to say that they got 70 out of them but you need to bear in mind youthfull exageration and the fact that the bikes were always a bit fragile - hence the non matching engine in my 56'er.

It's best suited to the "B" roads here - country lanes with little or no sidewalks, twisty bits that allow you to plod along.

I guess that a modern scooter or 125 would thrash it but that's not the point of a cub

The book goes from the first generation through to the last, it's really very good. Not exactly a riviting read, but every change is menationed and a decent selection of photos. Having said that, I read it while watching Tv one weekend and keep dipping back

loads of detailed lists of the various changes and options.

This may be usefull.
http://www.managethecontent.co.uk/bantamcub/links.htm

I don't like the looks of bantam Cubs but each to their own..

It's amazing what you can find with patience and Google.
If the 59 proves to be a nightmare to restore, I'll maybe turn it into a trail style but if most of it's there, I'll do my best to keep it original.

Hope that yopu find one local to you. I'd suggest that you get a parts book asap (once you have a bike!) as the part number is really useful when searching for bits.