This build was originally featured in Canadian Biker (January / February 2015). The following article is an adapted version, shared with credit for online publication. Photography by Phil Despins.
At Old Motorcycle Shop, we’ve always believed that great motorcycles don’t fade away… they evolve. Few bikes represent that philosophy better than the Triumph Tiger 500, a machine that may not have been Triumph’s most famous model, but one that has found powerful new life in the modern custom motorcycle movement.
Originally produced as a capable, straightforward parallel twin, the Tiger 500 has become a sought-after donor bike for builders who value character, mechanical honesty, and timeless style. This particular build showcases exactly why.
Why the Triumph Tiger 500?
Out-of-production motorcycles like the 1969 Triumph Tiger 500 have never truly disappeared – they’ve simply been repurposed. In recent years, classic Triumphs and Yamahas have become the foundation for bobber and café-style builds seen on streets around the world.
Triumph’s Meriden-era parallel twins are especially appealing. They’re:
- Mechanically straightforward and reliable
- Relatively affordable compared to high-profile customs
- Rich in heritage and unmistakably British in character
With the right exhaust setup, the Tiger’s 500cc twin delivers a tone that sits somewhere between Harley-Davidson and Ducati: soulful, mechanical, and unmistakable.
A Shift in the Custom Motorcycle Scene
Around the mid-2000s, the high-dollar, big-inch Harley custom market began to cool. As $70,000+ builds became less attainable, a new movement emerged; one focused on lighter, simpler, more accessible machines.
That shift opened the door for Triumph- and Yamaha-based customs. Builders and riders alike began valuing:
- Clean lines over excess
- Function over flash
- Mechanical beauty over sheer size
This Tiger 500 is very much a product of that evolution.
The Build: Clean, Purposeful, and Timeless
Designed, fabricated, painted, assembled, and fettled by Phil Bunton and the crew at Old Motorcycle Shop in Calgary, this Tiger was transformed into a rigid-frame bobber that balances vintage inspiration with thoughtful modern execution.
Key Design Elements
- Low-slung bobber stance inspired by classic Americana
- Springer front end, centered by a four-inch Bates headlamp
- Leather solo seat, echoing Route 66-era simplicity
- Mint green paint, a refreshing alternative to today’s overused matte black
While many modern builds lean heavily on dark finishes, this Tiger makes a strong case for chrome, using it sparingly but effectively across engine cases, hubs, controls, and accents to contrast beautifully against the green tins.
Engine & Mechanical Highlights
At the heart of the build sits Triumph’s 500cc parallel twin… unmistakably English and proudly mechanical.
Notable features include:
- Single carburetor setup
- Staggered scrambler-style dual exhausts sweeping back on the same side
- Chrome valve covers that elevate the engine’s visual presence
Rather than hiding mechanical elements, this build celebrates them.
Thoughtful Engineering Touches
- Tank-mounted internal speedometer and oil pressure light – an unusual and elegant solution
- Modified fuel tank with welded internal tube to route speedo and oil pressure components cleanly
- Oil pressure system routed through a sealed tube exiting the bottom of the tank
These details may not jump out at first glance, but they exemplify the level of craftsmanship behind the build.
Functional Details That Matter
True custom motorcycles are defined by the small decisions: the ones that blend style with function.
- Machined cutaways on the left side reveal the primary belt drive at work
- Dry clutch setup required relocating the crankcase breather through the old tachometer drive on the right side of the engine
- Rear chain tensioner mounted to a formed round steel bracket, serving both aesthetic and functional purposes
- Idler sprocket used to adjust chain tension without repositioning the rear wheel; clean, tidy, and practical
Every solution was chosen with intention.
Honouring Triumph Heritage
Subtle triangle motifs appear throughout the bike, a nod to Triumph’s iconic logo found on the timing cover. These understated references tie the modern custom back to its roots without feeling forced or nostalgic.
Even with its American bobber influence, the Tiger’s British identity remains front and centre.
A Quiet Dignity
This Triumph Tiger 500 doesn’t shout for attention. Instead, it earns it through proportion, craftsmanship, and restraint. It represents where custom motorcycles have landed today – simpler, cleaner, and more thoughtful than ever before.
From the custom handlebars and levers to the fork tube caps and chain guard, every element serves the whole. It’s a motorcycle that respects its past while confidently embracing a new role.
A classic reborn: and proof that sometimes, less truly is more.
