April 2nd, 1971, I bought one brand new when I was 19 years old. Wow! It was so much fun! I was living in Oakhurst, New Jersey. The weather was still pretty cold at night but it took me about a month to get through the go-slow, break-in period that was limited to 60 mph. I probably rode it at least 40/60 miles a day on the back country roads and after that year round. The new 8" Twin Leading Shoe front brake, to me, was impressive and never let me down. It always saved me when sailing through traffic at speed! One or two kicks always fired it up. If I kicked it three times, it was time for a tune up and I always did my own work - valves, plugs, oil changes, chains, etc. I even made a special tool so I could adjust the primary chain without the struggle. By the second year, I was running “TT” pipes on the street and loved the sound and the raspy deceleration rumble - pure music to my ears. Today I am riding a 1985 Goldwing and nobody knows I am there; and as good as it handles, it still feels like a heavy sled to me. When I bought my Bonniville I had no clue just how good the handling was until many years later when I started riding other bikes that I realized nothing handle like a Triumph on the back road and in the turns, well one exception, my 1975 Norton Commando which I picked up brand new in February of 1979 in St Louis. Looking back and reading all the negative comments about how poor these English machines were put together, I never found that to be true. The ones I had always started, ran, pulled hard, and were a blast to ride. The Norton did have one up with its isolastic suspension. If you ever get the chance to ride one of these classics, take it out on twisty and curvy road! All I have is fond memories of just how much fun these machines were and still are. Mitchman from Oakhurst, New Jersey.
I agree I have owned a 71 Tiger single carb version for 42 years and have had quite a few other bikes in that time but I could never bring myself to sell the Triumph , there is just something about it so relaxed and torquey and easy to handle , others are much more sophisticated but non as much fun :o)
l just restore my 71 except l painted bumble bee colour scheme(yellow instead of gold). l have an original low mileage 76(1770miles) and the 71 is a a better handler on twisty roads l find. seat is a little tall as l'm only 5'4"(poor thinking on part of those tall creators at meridan).l always get comments.
I have exactly the same motorcycle from 1971. I have to redo the gold color of the machine and can't get the tiger gold code. Indeed that of RS motorbike is different. What is the reference of the paint on your machine. Thank you.
April 2nd, 1971, I bought one brand new when I was 19 years old. Wow! It was so much fun! I was living in Oakhurst, New Jersey. The weather was still pretty cold at night but it took me about a month to get through the go-slow, break-in period that was limited to 60 mph. I probably rode it at least 40/60 miles a day on the back country roads and after that year round. The new 8" Twin Leading Shoe front brake, to me, was impressive and never let me down. It always saved me when sailing through traffic at speed! One or two kicks always fired it up. If I kicked it three times, it was time for a tune up and I always did my own work - valves, plugs, oil changes, chains, etc. I even made a special tool so I could adjust the primary chain without the struggle. By the second year, I was running “TT” pipes on the street and loved the sound and the raspy deceleration rumble - pure music to my ears. Today I am riding a 1985 Goldwing and nobody knows I am there; and as good as it handles, it still feels like a heavy sled to me. When I bought my Bonniville I had no clue just how good the handling was until many years later when I started riding other bikes that I realized nothing handle like a Triumph on the back road and in the turns, well one exception, my 1975 Norton Commando which I picked up brand new in February of 1979 in St Louis. Looking back and reading all the negative comments about how poor these English machines were put together, I never found that to be true. The ones I had always started, ran, pulled hard, and were a blast to ride. The Norton did have one up with its isolastic suspension. If you ever get the chance to ride one of these classics, take it out on twisty and curvy road! All I have is fond memories of just how much fun these machines were and still are. Mitchman from Oakhurst, New Jersey.
I agree I have owned a 71 Tiger single carb version for 42 years and have had quite a few other bikes in that time but I could never bring myself to sell the Triumph , there is just
something about it so relaxed and torquey and easy to handle , others are much more sophisticated but non as much fun :o)
l just restore my 71 except l painted bumble bee colour scheme(yellow instead of gold). l have an original low mileage 76(1770miles) and the 71 is a a better handler on twisty roads l find. seat is a little tall as l'm only 5'4"(poor thinking on part of those tall creators at meridan).l always get comments.
Thank you from the UK 🇬🇧
I have this exact same bike. Love it. Left hand controls and all!.
Lovely bike ! had my 71 Tiger 650 42 years and would never sell it .
Sounds awesome
It's not leaking any oil... Must be some kind of replica.
I have exactly the same motorcycle from 1971.
I have to redo the gold color of the machine and can't get the tiger gold code. Indeed that of RS motorbike is different. What is the reference of the paint on your machine. Thank you.