Tiger Cub T20SM & T20M Mountain Cubs 1964-67
The Mountain Cub was possibly the very first Triumph motorcycle to be classed as a 'Trail' bike and an intriguing story about how it came about is in the book 'Triumph in America' written by Lindsay Brooke and David Gaylin.
Seemingly Edward Turner was over in the USA considering winding down production of some of the special 'made for USA' Tiger Cub models when three senior American Triumph staff members built an on/off road Cub with which to take on the lightweight Japanese trail bikes that were selling quite well over there. The Cub was based on the T20SC with some elements of the TR20 and they named it the 'Mountain Cub'.
An order for 400 machines made E.T. take more of an interest and the first example of the new model was delivered in October 1963. Eventually 3000 went to the west coast of the USA, 1500 to the east coast; and a total of over 6000 Mountain Cubs were sold all over the world.
Seemingly Edward Turner was over in the USA considering winding down production of some of the special 'made for USA' Tiger Cub models when three senior American Triumph staff members built an on/off road Cub with which to take on the lightweight Japanese trail bikes that were selling quite well over there. The Cub was based on the T20SC with some elements of the TR20 and they named it the 'Mountain Cub'.
An order for 400 machines made E.T. take more of an interest and the first example of the new model was delivered in October 1963. Eventually 3000 went to the west coast of the USA, 1500 to the east coast; and a total of over 6000 Mountain Cubs were sold all over the world.
The T20SM and T20M were basically the same model with the exception that the SM had both side and centre stands whereas the M had neither. They had the T15 Terrier petrol tank, speedometer (tachometer an option), Energy Transfer Ignition and lights, wide-ratio gear cluster, folding footrests, heavyweight forks (adjustable rear shocks an option), trials tyres, crankcase undershield, upswept handlebars and a small triangular shaped tool box.
|
The petrol tank badge was a particularly nice item with black writing on a gold and chrome background or white lettering on a Grenadier Red and chrome background. It appears the Mountain Cub was first listed as the T20SM but by late 1965, the sales brochures just mentioned the T20M. |
|
|
Colours for the T20SM & T20M 1964-67 The colours were all bright, and it's said they were so to make the machine stand out whilst trail riding so they could be easily seen. 1964 - Crystal Blue and Silver Sheen 1965 - Hunting Yellow 1966/67 - Grenadier Red and Alaskan White |
Specifications for the T20SM & T20M 1964-67
Engine
Type: Single-cylinder OHV, unit construction
Capacity: 199cc (12.1 cu in)
Bore/Stroke: 63mm (2.480in) x 64mm (2.520in)
Compression: 7:1
Power: 16bhp @ 6800 rpm
Carburettor: Amal Monobloc 376/314
Camshaft: 'R' cam - valve clearances In 0.002in : Ex 0.004in (cold)
Clutch: Wet multiplate
Gears: 4
Cycle Parts
Front Suspension: Telescopic forks, hydraulic damped
Rear Suspension: Swing-arm
Front Wheel: 19 inch (WM1 rim)
Rear Wheel: 18 inch (WM2 rim)
Front Tyre: 3.00 x 19
Rear Tyre: 3.50 x 18
Brakes: 5.5 in dia. Single leading shoe drum front and rear
Petrol Tank: 2 5/8 gallons
Oil tank: 2 3/4 pints
Gearbox: 1/3 pint
Primary chaincase: 1/3 pint
Front Fork: 1/4 pint (1/3 pint 1965-on)
Electrics
Type: Lucas Energy Transfer
Voltage: 6
Charging Type: RM 19 Alternator
Ignition Timing: 16 degrees BTDC static. 36 degrees fully advanced
Points Gap: 0.014in - 0.016in
Spark Plug: Champion L7 or equivalent
Spark Plug Gap: 0.020in
Engine
Type: Single-cylinder OHV, unit construction
Capacity: 199cc (12.1 cu in)
Bore/Stroke: 63mm (2.480in) x 64mm (2.520in)
Compression: 7:1
Power: 16bhp @ 6800 rpm
Carburettor: Amal Monobloc 376/314
Camshaft: 'R' cam - valve clearances In 0.002in : Ex 0.004in (cold)
Clutch: Wet multiplate
Gears: 4
Cycle Parts
Front Suspension: Telescopic forks, hydraulic damped
Rear Suspension: Swing-arm
Front Wheel: 19 inch (WM1 rim)
Rear Wheel: 18 inch (WM2 rim)
Front Tyre: 3.00 x 19
Rear Tyre: 3.50 x 18
Brakes: 5.5 in dia. Single leading shoe drum front and rear
Petrol Tank: 2 5/8 gallons
Oil tank: 2 3/4 pints
Gearbox: 1/3 pint
Primary chaincase: 1/3 pint
Front Fork: 1/4 pint (1/3 pint 1965-on)
Electrics
Type: Lucas Energy Transfer
Voltage: 6
Charging Type: RM 19 Alternator
Ignition Timing: 16 degrees BTDC static. 36 degrees fully advanced
Points Gap: 0.014in - 0.016in
Spark Plug: Champion L7 or equivalent
Spark Plug Gap: 0.020in