1987 Triumph Tiger 750 (TR7V “Les Harris”)
Highlights
- A pristine looking example of the Les Harris, post Meriden Tiger 750
- Fully and expertly restored but having stood unused for a couple of years
- Complete with a good archive of interesting paperwork and provenance
The Appeal
The 1970’s and 1980’s was a tumultuous time for Triumph Motorcycles. A succession of closures, co-operatives and buyouts were, primarily, inflicted by the success of Japanese motorcycle imports upending the British manufacturing base significantly. After the Meriden factory finally closed in 1983, a businessman called Les Harris bid for the rights for the Triumph Motorcycle business. In the end, however, he was granted a five-year renewable license by the new owner of Triumph, John Bloor, to build Bonnevilles and some Tigers in his factory in Devon. The bulk of the Tigers he built were used by the Royal Signals Motorcycle Display Team – the White Helmets.
This example from the Les Harris period has been expertly restored by the current enthusiast owner after he acquired it out of long-term storage. He has attended to all aspects of the motorcycle both aesthetic and mechanical. The bike, however, has stood predominantly unused for a coupe of years so is ready to be used and enjoyed again by a lucky new owner.
The History and Paperwork
- This Tiger 750 was built and registered in August 1987
- The first owner appears to have kept the motorcycle for around 7 years
- The second owner and third owners retained the bike for around 22 years between them
- The current owner acquired the Tiger in 2016 as a project
- Prior to this the bike had been stored for some time and deteriorated into a poor condition
- The owner rebuilt the engine and attended to the aesthetic condition
- In many places he found that the original components were in good order
- Where they weren’t new or uprated items were fitted
- Having now stood again for a couple of years the bike now needs using and enjoying
- There is a good level of paperwork included with the motorcycle
- This includes the V5 registration document in the name of the owner
- The motorcycle holds a current, advisory free MOT until August 2023
- A number of previous MOTs in hard copy are also present
- These help verify the Tiger’s sensible original mileage
- There are numerous invoices on hand, detailing parts bought, and work undertaken
The Interior
- The riding environment of the Tiger is typical classic Triumph fare
- The sculpted and squared vinyl seat is finished in black
- It is full length to allow for a pillion when required
- The pillion has use of a semi-circular tubular, chromed grab-rail behind the saddle
- Fold down, rubber covered foot pegs are provided for the pillion
- The rider looks out over a pair of white on black Veglia clocks
- The speedometer carries a Meriden logo despite its Devon manufacture
- The ignition barrel and various warning lights are situated between the clocks
- A supplemental Morgo oil pressure gauge is fitted to the left-hand bar
- Further controls are situated on the grip bases each side
- Fixed, flat, rubber covered pegs are available for the rider
- The rubbers fitted to these are in fine condition and heavily ribbed for safety
- An alloy gear lever is situated on the left-hand side of the bike
- The kick start and rear brake are situated on the right
- The overall condition of this area is generally very good
The Exterior
- Our example is presented in a lovely Gold and Black livery
- The painted areas aren’t extensive with just the tank thus painted
- The side panels are finished in gloss black
- The mudguards are chromed, front and rear
- The frame has been powder coated in black
- The overall condition appears excellent throughout
- The familiar Triumph script badges are affixed to each side of the tank
- Rubbers to various controls all look complete and in decent fettle
- Light and indicator lenses all look to be in good, original order
- The twin silencers are mounted low down and deeply chromed
- Tiger 750 recessed badges are fitted to the side panels
- The wheels are chromed, cross spoked 19-inch items front and rear
- During the restoration these have been rebuilt with stainless steel spokes
- As such these appear to be in excellent condition
- These are fitted with Dunlop RoadMaster tyres that look to retain good tread levels
- The owner reports that some fittings exhibit some minor surface rust
The Mechanics
- The Tiger 750 was fitted with the same 744cc power unit as used by the Bonneville
- This is a four-stroke, parallel twin, OHV unit
- Unlike the Bonneville the Tiger breathes through a single, 30mm Amal carburettor
- In this configuration it was originally rated at 42 bhp at 6,500rpm
- Power is delivered via a five-speed gearbox
- A contemporary road test found this good for a 113mph top speed and 14 second ¼ mile
- The Les Harris era bikes featured a lot more German and Italian components than before
- This was because the UK supply of parts had been severely depleted at this stage
- These parts included Paioli forks, Brembo brakes and Magura switchgear
- The current owner has undertaken a comprehensive engine rebuild during his tenure
- This includes new shells, valve guides and a new clutch pack
- The alloy side plates of the engine are in good order and deeply polished
- They are deeply inscribed with the familiar Triumph script
- The fins of the cylinder housings seem to be evenly finished and in good order
- The owner reports the bike starting and running well and ready to go
Summary
The Tiger may have been considered the little brother to the twin carburettor Bonneville, but many agreed it did everything virtually as well as its senior sibling. The Les Harris period bikes come from one of the many “interesting” periods of the Triumph company and are desired by those in the know for their rarity and their higher specification European components.
This example has clearly been expertly restored by someone who certainly knows these bikes well. The bike looks fantastic and especially suits its predominantly gold and black colourway. The mechanicals have benefitted from a thoughtful restoration resulting in a lovely example which should provide many years of faithful service to its lucky new owner.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only. Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
All bidding, buying and offers are subject to our Terms and Conditions.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1987
- Make Triumph
- Model Tiger 750 TR7V 'LES HARRIS'
- Colour Yellow and Black
- Odometer 20,557 Miles
- Engine size 750
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Town Lancing
- Location Sussex
- Country United Kingdom
22
bids
- an•••• £6,600 18/05/23
- an•••• £6,300 18/05/23
- an•••• £6,100 17/05/23
- an•••• £6,000 16/05/23
- GW•••• £5,100 16/05/23
- qb•••• £5,000 16/05/23
- GW•••• £4,800 15/05/23
- an•••• £4,700 15/05/23
- GW•••• £4,300 15/05/23
- an•••• £4,200 15/05/23
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