Featured Tiger 90 Rebuild

Greetings everyone, yesterday I got my mitts on a ‘67 Tiger 90. It’s in barn fresh condition so needs a full rebuild. I know my way around other makes of British bikes from the 50s and 60s, but this is my first Triumph. It’s complete, matching numbers and has enough patina to keep it as an original restoration. Now if I can work out how to attach pictures to this forum I will.

 

I left the anti-gravity unit switched on overnight and that’s what the shed looked like when I opened the door this morning.

 

Let’s try again...

 

Right hand fork had more water in it than oil. The water is the puddle on the floor, the black stuff is the fork oil.

 

The steering was a bit notchy, so I was expecting to see the cups and cones all pitted. As it turns out the grease had dried like tar, so when I looked at things closely the races were all OK. Picture of the upper race here.

 

Now down to the bare frame. Checked for straightness along the length, height and width. Steering column straight. Swinging arm has no free movement and is correctly aligned, so no reason to take it out. All the brazed joints are are solid, and there is no significant rust. I think this is an all time first!

 

All the lugs appear to be OK, but the bracket to hold the coils has been repaired, and this could be bettered. Can’t get one of the centre stand bolts out, which I need to as it’s a very sloppy fit. Other lugs have round - not oval - holes.

 

Spent the afternoon in the workshop but with little progress to show for it. The bolt holding the side stand on had to be cut off. Picture shows the side stand with a bent leg and the remains of the bolt.

 

Straightened the centre stand this morning.

 

And the spare parts are starting to arrive, here’s a replacement wiring loom, with diagram. Things are so easy now, 20 years ago I had to make a loom for a restoration project, but that was when you could go to a local car spares shop and buy lengths of coloured wire.

 

There is a fuse holder in the loom, but no fuse in it.

 

Thanks Darkman, I rummaged around my box of electric bits and found a 20 amp fuse, but will find a 35amp one.