Lot 228: 1964 Triumph 490cc T100SS

Introduced for the 1962 season, the Tiger 100SS replaced the T100A as Triumph’s sports 500 twin. A comprehensive re-style saw the ‘bathtub’ rear enclosure of its predecessor replaced by an abbreviated version and the headlamp nacelle by a separate chromed shell. Sports mudguards were fitted, wheel sizes increased and the engine gained a few more horsepower courtesy of redesigned camshafts and a siamesed exhaust system. Top speed was now within a whisker of 100mph. Tested by Motor Cycling magazine in 1961, a T100SS managed a highly creditable 98mph maximum while returning 82mpg. Rebuilt using crankcases from the earlier 350cc Twenty One model, this example has been updated with an Amal Concentric carburettor. The machine is offered with assorted old tax discs, 11 expired MoTs (most recent 2005) and Swansea V5C document.