Triumph Trials
TRIUMPH TRIALS
CW Trail Test
TRAIL TESTING TAKES A NEW TURN this month with the familiar Triumph 200 Cub in trials form, a machine as near ideally suited for trailing as it can be. Regular CW readers will recognize our test bike as the same as seen in last month's “Trials, Anyone?” feature, and the Editor’s transportation when covering the 200 mile National enduro in San Luis Obispo, California, in our May 1963 issue.
We may have given enough justly due praise of this machine in the aforementioned feature; we did, after all, detail quite thoroughly its perfect suitability as a trials machine due to its low gearing, wide torque characteristics, well designed steering geometry and suspension, etc.
In truth, we disliked very little on this unique motorcycle. Its professional prowess as a championship trials bike is constantly being re-proven in England where it reigns as one of the most successful and popular bikes in this very demanding sport. In scrambles form the Tiger Cub, or TS-20, is well known on both sides of the Atlantic; as a trials machine, though, little has been demonstrated over here. Though it is available in extremely small quantities, the T/20-R differs from its hotter cousin primarily in its gearbox, a widespaced affair, and basic gearing. The Tiger Cub, or scrambler, can easily be geared to equal the Trials model by use of a high overlay rear sprocket. Only one feature on the trials model cannot be duplicated on the scrambler, the trials gearbox employing two extremely low first and second gears, and the two “normal” third and fourth gears. This allows trailing in the worst country with ease, and nearhighway cruising where allowed. Loss of this feature when converting the Special Tiger Cub to Trials specifications is a minor detriment and should not bother the trailing rider.
Lightness, a virtue without compromise when trailing, is an exemplary feature on the 223-pound Cub; the lightest or least muscularly endowed rider can easily master it. Low horsepower, only 10 for the 200cc (12.2 cubic inch) single-cylinder, overhead valve engine, though seemingly a drawback, is used to an advantage by allowing extremely slow engine revolutions thereby permitting slow riding without the usual stalling and excessive clutch manipulating.
Though the 16 horsepower accredited to the other Triumph Cubs does not offer quite the handiness of the Trials, it should not be too much of a shortcoming with proper gearing. The almost all-alloy wet sump engine is cradled in a single downtube tubular frame. It is an in-unit with gearbox power plant and being a motorcycle, is controlled entirely as one with a neat, short positive acting foot shift controlling the four-speed gearbox. Alloy is used lavishly all about, accounting further for its light weight, in such vital places as the fenders and huge rear sprocket.
Handlebars are in the traditional European trials manner, wide spread and decidedly flat. We would recommend a higher bar if extensive trailing was contemplated. Ball-end clutch and brake levers are standard, as is a silly little bulb horn which qualifies it as a true trials model in Europe. Rubber covers adorn the sliding fork joints to keep out dust, a luxury feature but useful. Instrumentation is limited to a speedometer, the use of which is sparse on such a bike. •
