Triumph Motorcycles Tr20 Trials Cub 1957
Triumph introduced the T20 Tiger Cub in 1953 as an entry-level model in the company’s sporting motorcycle range.
The 199cc OHV, dry sump engine was derived from the 150cc Terrier and featured unit construction with the four-speed gearbox housed in a separate chamber. In 1962, the engine bottom end design was revised and the Tiger Cub was offered in two versions: the T20S/L high performance model and the T20T with lower a compression engine more suitable for trials competition. The T20T engine developed 10hp at 6,000rpm and the T20S/L, 14.5hp at 6,500rpm. The rear suspension was changed from plunger to swing arm in 1957.
The main marketing focus was on the road sports bikes, which featured similar styling and colour schemes to the company’s larger sports bikes and the 1961 UK law allowing learner riders to ride bikes of no more than 250cc further stimulated its popularity. However, Triumph produced two off-road versions of the T20 Tiger Cub, the TS20 Scrambles Cub and the TR20 Trials Cub. They featured revised suspension, block-pattern tyres, a high-level exhaust system, alloy tank and mudguards and a small competition seat.
The TR20 Trials Cub was launched in 1957 and although production ended in 1967, dealers Comerford of Thames Ditton in Surrey purchased a batch of Mountain Cubs, as the USA model was called, and converted them to works trials replica specification. Although fitted with a number of non-original components including the tank, seat and exhaust system, this example has been authenticated via UK VMCC records as one of 60 produced by Comerford, nine of which are known to have survived. It was purchased for the NZ Classic Motorcycles collection via an auction in Staffordshire in April, 2009.