1939 Triumph T100

1939 TRIUMPH T100 - THE LAST PRE-WAR TIGER
The Tiger T100 was launched in 1938. Performance was boosted by the use of high-compression forged pistons and polished ports and internals, the result being a machine that could touch 100mph in road trim and exceed it with the silencer end-caps removed. The 1939 Triumph T100 Tiger, and all other pre-war twins, used a magdyno for electric and spark, which would be replaced postwar with a separate dynamo and magneto. This was also the last year for girder-style front forks, which would be replaced with telescopic forks once post-war civilian production resumed in 1946.


1939 TRIUMPH T100 - WHAT’S IN A NAME?
In Triumph parlance, the alpha-numeric model designations like “T100” were meant to indicate the claimed top speed of the bikes. The numbers started low in the 1930s with the T90, but the new Tiger was good for a true 100 mph, and so the title T100 seemed right. When they later applied the “Tiger Treatment” (ie: higher compression and hotter cams) to their new 650 twin, it became the Tiger T110, good for 110 mph. When they launched the Bonneville in 1959, it was faster still, and so earned the name T120, supposedly good for for 120 mph. This trend almost ended there. After all, how much faster could an old British street bike go, anyway? Probably true. But in 1973, when Triumph punched out the 650s and made them 750s, the 750 Bonneville became the T140, even though few thought it would ever make 140 mph. They must have had a lot of faith in their new ’69 Trident because they called it T150. In its final year of production, the ’75 Trident got bumped up again this time to T160. Has anyone ever gotten a stock Trident up to 160 mph? I’m curious. I’d love to hear about it. Contact me if you, or someone you know, have.

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1939 Triumph T100 SPECIFICATIONS

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MORE TRIUMPH TIGERS
Triumph Tiger
.....1939 T100
.....1947 T100
.....1949 T100
.....1950 T100
.....1952 T100
.....1953 T100
.....1955 T110
.....1958 T110
.....1960 T100

MORE TRIUMPH:
Triumph T120 & T140 Bonneville
Triumph TR6
Triumph TR7
Triumph T110 & T110 Tiger
Triumph 6T Thunderbird
Triumph 5T Speed Twin
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Triumph X-75 Hurricane

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Check out these TRIUMPH BOOKS

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2018 Classic Triumph Calendar

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Triumph Motorcycles: The art of the motorcycle

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The Complete Book of Classic and Modern Triumph Motorcycles 1937-Today (Complete Book Series)

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Triumph Motorcycles: From Speed-Twin to Bonneville

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Triumph Bonneville and TR6 Motorcycle Restoration Guide: 1956-83

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British Motorcycles Triumph (Little Books)

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Triumph Motorcycles in America

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McQueen's Motorcycles: Racing and Riding with the King of Cool

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Triumph Motorcycle Restoration

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Illustrated Triumph Motorcycles Buyer's Guide: From 1945 Through the Latest Models (Illustrated Buyer's Guide)

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Tales of Triumph Motorcycles and the Meriden Factory

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Hinckley Triumphs: The First Generation (Crowood Motoclassic)

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Last updated 11/24/17

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