1969 TRIUMPH TR6

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1969 TRIUMPH TR6 BY THE NUMBERS
For the first time ever, a Triumph TR6 was called a "Tiger". In fact the entire 1969 Triumph TR6 model lineup were all Triumph Tigers & would remain so for the rest of its life. Interestingly however, Triumph workers at the Meriden factory continued to refer to the TR6 as a Trophy for many years. The individual 1969 Triumph Tiger models were the standard TR6, TR6R roadster, TR6C street scrambler with high pipes & the TR6P for Police work. Engine & Frame Numbers ran from DU87124 to DU88524, built from July 29, 1968 to August 14, 1968; then NC02352 to HC2434, built from October 26, 1968 to July 15, 1969. This first batch was the last to use the "DU" engine number prefix, in use since 1963. Henceforth, engine numbers would be preceded by a 2- or 3-letter prefix indicating the month & year of manufacture.

ENGINE CHANGES
Along with the entire motorcycle, all threads in the engines were now converted from British Standard to "American" (UNC & UNF) threads. New connecting rods, dimensionally unchanged, now with UNF bolts & nuts, too 28 lb/ft of torque instead of 22. Hepolite pistons were made shorter, thicker at the crown & gudgeon pin (wrist pin). The oil pump feed plunger was enlarged to increase oil volume. Crankshaft flywheel weight was increased but the balance factor remained at 85%. Pushrod tubes were revised again, this time with Viton O-rings top & bottom in the never-ending quest for oil-tightness. To this end, the primary & gearbox filler caps were given O-rings as well. The alternator cable was repositioned to exit the top of the primary case. To improve long term durability, both cams were now nitrided, ending the premature wear problems once & for all.

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GEARBOX MODS
The gearbox shift camplate was now made using a more precise pressing process that gave a smoother finish on the wear surfaces of the cam tracks for better, smoother shifts. The gears were polished (a process called 'shaving') to reduce noise & wear. The 3rd-gear ratio was altered from 1.19:1 to 1.14:1. Unfortunately, all the gearshaft sline & gear bore diameters were altered slightly so that all 1969-and-later gearboxes are non-interchangeable with the earlier ones, staring with Engine #CC15546, built on April 15, 1969. There were some changes to the clutch hub.

FRAME & CYCLE GEAR
From #HC23617 the prop stand (sidestand) got an adjustable stop bolt to prevent it from crashing into the leftside exhaust pipe. The Girling rear shocks (suspension units) lost their tin covers, exposing the chromed springs. The front forks were widened via new upper & lower triple clamps from 6-1/2" to 6-3/4", center-to-center. Damping was improved.

ANOTHER NEW TANK BADGE
For the 1969 Triumph TR6, gone was the shapely "eyebrow" tank badge, enter the new "bird wing" badge. The parcel grid (luggage rack) disappeared from the tops of the tanks, due to a lawsuit resulting from an accident where the rider, while flying forward, caught his testicles on the grid & lost them!! OUCH!!!!

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This 1969 Triumph TR6 Tiger is a TR6C model with high pipes. Note the chromed-wire heat shield. Most were removed & lost years ago.

1969 Triumph TR6 SPECIFICATIONS:

MODEL DESIGNATIONS:
1969 Triumph TR6................................. Standard
1969 Triumph TR6C................................ Enduro (hi pipes)
1969 Triumph TR6R................................ Roadster (lo pipes)
1969 Triumph TR6P................................ Police

ENGINE:
Engine type....................................... OHV vertical twin
Horsepower at RPM............................ 42 BHP @ 6,500 rpm
Bore................................................ 71mm / 2.79"
Stroke............................................. 82mm / 3.23"
Displacement.................................... 649cc / 40 cu. in.
Compression Ratio............................. 8.5:1
Valve Clearance (cold):
Inlet................................................ 0.05mm / 0.002"
Exhaust............................................ 0.10mm / 0.004"
Valve Timing:
Inlet Valve Opens.............................. 34 degrees BTDC
Inlet Valve Closes.............................. 55 degrees BTDC
Exhaust Valve Opens.......................... 55 degrees BTDC
Exhaust Valve Closes.......................... 27 degrees BTDC

IGNITION:
Ignition Breaker Gap............................. 0.4mm / 0.015"
Spark Plug Gap.................................. 0.50mm / 0.020"
Timing (static).................................14 degrees BTDC
Timing (fully advanced):........................ 38 degrees BTDC

CARBURETOR (1):
Type........................................ Amal Concentric R930/9-B
Throat Size....................................... 30mm
Main Jet........................................... 230
Needle Jet........................................ .106
Needle Position.................................. 2
Needle Type.......................................622/124
Throttle Valve Cutaway........................... 3-1/2
Pilot Jet............................................ 25

TRANSMISSION:
Speeds.............................................. 4
Gear Ratios:
4th - Top........................................... 5.84
3rd - Third......................................... 6.76
2nd - Second...................................... 8.17
1st - Bottom...................................... 11.8

CLUTCH:
Type................................................ Multi-plate, wet
Number of Plates:
Drive Plates...................................... 6
Driven Plates.................................... 6

SPROCKETS:
Engine............................................. 29 teeth
Clutch............................................. 58 teeth
Gearbox.......................................... 19 teeth
Rear Wheel...................................... 46 teeth

CHAIN:
Primary, pitch.................................. 3/8" triplex
Primary, length................................. 84 links
Final Drive, pitch............................... 5/8" X .400" X 3/8"
Final Drive, length............................. 106 links

CAPACITIES:
Fuel (US versions)............................. 2.5 Imp. gal.
Fuel (UK & export versions)................. 4 Imp. gal.
Oil Tank........................................... 6 pints / 3 L
Gearbox........................................... 1 pt / 500cc
Primary Chaincase............................. 1/4 pt / 150cc
Front Forks....................................... 6.4 oz. / 190cc

TIRES:
Front............................................... 3.25 X 19"
Rear................................................ 4.00 X 18"

SUSPENSION:
Front............................................... Telescopic Forks
Rear................................................ Swing Arm

BRAKES:
Front............................................... 8" / 20.32cm TLS
Rear................................................ 7" / 17.78cm SLS

DIMENSIONS:
Seat Height...................................... 32.5" / 77.5cm
Wheelbase........................................ 54.5" / 140.3cm
Length.............................................. 85.5" / 202cm
Width............................................... 28.5" / 72cm
Ground Clearance.............................. 5" / 12.7cm
Weight, unladen................................ 380 lbs / 165kg

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