Triumph 1936 T80 350 cc 1 cyl ohv

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Description

Triumph 1936   349  cc OHV  “Tiger 80 Special”  frame # SL. 4066  engine # 2.T6.1870

Designer Val Page came to Triumph from Ariel in 1932. He designed an excellent range of motorcycles, of which the 250 cc model was the lightest. Many parts of this model were interchangeable with those of the 350 and 500 cc models; Page was a sincere believer in rationalization in the production process of motorcycles. 
The new range was introduced for the 1934 season and proved to be technically excellent machines, although expensive to produce. 
In 1936 the Triumph Cycle Co.  that had been struggling for a number of years, was taken over by Jack Sangster and renamed  Triumph Engineering Co.Ltd.  
Edward Turner became the new Works Manager and he immediately started to rationalize things: he reduced the range of machines, but kept the excellent bottom end designs of the Page designed singles.
The “Tiger” range was introduced in September 1936 for the 1937 model year. There were three models: the 250 cc T 70, the 350 cc T80 and the 500 cc T 90. 
Apart from the bottom ends, everything was new. 
There was a new, compact gearbox and a new, enclosed valve mechanism. 
The brakes were improved and the oil pump was given  a larger capacity. 
The machines had compact frames and silver and blue enameled  tanks with chrome panels. 
Attention to styling was always a strong point with Turner:  the Tigers looked good and they were good and this new range of machines helped Triumph back to the top. 
This handsome “Tiger 80” develops more than 19 HP and has been restored some time ago.