street

As Jenk says and you will see from your O&M book when it arrives. Your frame is from Army contract C7162 which is a contract with gaps. I'm sure between us we can work out the census number. However, your engine is from that RAF contract C11465. Ron

HI Guys,

Frame number is confirmed as T.L.21170. What is the significance of the census number? (I'm assuming that its different from the contract number?).

great news to hear about another Triumph 3sw Survivor . The triumph factory was destroyed in the infamous coventry blitz with the factory at priory street and adjacent to coventry cathedral being destroyed in a series of raids , C7162 which my bike is from was interrupted by the destruction , Your bike appears to be from Cc11465 which was the last meaningful contract of triumph 3sw and was completed at a temporary factory at cape warwick , after this production was shifted to 3HWs at Meriden .

 

I am aware of a few post blitz bikes but none from your contract , , Thee is a directory of Triumph wartime bikes at wdtriumphnl ..http:/wdtriumph.nl/3swframe.html . I believe this lists about 30 triumph 3sw although there are undoubtedly many more ..

 

It would be useful to have your frame number on the bikes headstock plus frame date which is on the frame post directly beneath the seat in the format TE0840..and the engine number ..photos would also be great ..

 

You asked about the BFM Directory this is an appendix of contracts in the excellent British forces motorcycles book by Chris Orchard and Steve Madden , Its a great start for any research and the directory contains the definitive summary of known contracts placed by the government

 

 

 

Jenkinov

Thanks Jenkinov, I've ordered the book.

I managed to check the date stamp which looks like T.E.C.7.40 but I suppose it could be T.E.0.7.40 as its "C" is not too clear. Does 7.40 mean its made in July 1940?

Frame number will need to wait until it comes back from sand blasting as its not clear enough to read accurately. it does start T.L.211?? which I think is T.L.21170, but will confirm later.

Engine Number is 3SW 40286.

I'll post pictures as the resurrection progresses.

Thanks again.

It's quite rare for even the most re-painted motorcycle to have been chemically stripped. It may be worthwhile to have a good look inside frame tubes etc. as quite often there will be traces of original paint there - unless it's a Royal Enfield that went back to the factory in 1945 for reconditioning. I don't believe that Triumph did this.

you would think so 79x100 and I'm sure there normally would be some paint traces, but not on this 3SW....

Lovely machines Ron. Thanks for sharing.

Being a late 41 bike I'm restoring it reads like I have a decision to make on colour... Kaki gas proof No.3 or service brown. I'll ponder that one for a few days.

Unless of course the contract stated colour and that is on the BFM Directory too?

Hi. Contract C11465 was for 150 3SW's supplied to the RAF. They were built at the Temporary Warwick works after the bombing of Coventry They were demanded in August 1941 and completed and delivered by September 41. Unfortunately, no RAF vehicle number records exist. I use artistic licence on any RAF or RN motorcycles in my collection by studying original pictures if available and putting on correspondingly similar numbers and markings.

 

http://www.axholmesigns.co.uk/ can help with number and roundel stencils.

 

Regards Ron

Thanks Ron. It's good to put a time line and place of origin on a bike so old.

As an RAF machine would it have been olive green from the factory or blue? Can you share a picture of one of the RAF machines you have? Thanks again and in advance.

I have a triumph 3sw from contract C7162 so am always on the look out for sensible useful spares ..a few years ago that led me to an engine again from C7162 , I recently acquired a copy of British forces motorcycles 1925-45 by Chris Orchard and Steve Madden and find it useful to help verify bike and parts i see in the market .

 

A 3sw Engine recently appeared on E Bay and whilst tempted sensibly one spare engine is enough ....but I reviewed the photos and clearly stamped in the engine is Contract number C62943 , The contract is not listed in the BFM directory ..?

 

The engine number is 27161 ...Which puts it in 1938 or 1939 .....

 

I do note that contract C5108 has a series of WD serial no allocations one of which is the range 62916 to 63085 , potentially the engine builder has added C to this number rather than stamping C5108 ....

 

its a theory any comments

 

Jenkinov

Hope you don't mind me coming in on the post with a couple of questions.

You mention the BFM directory for contract numbers...how do you get a cess to this?

I have a 3sw from contract C11465 and would like more information on date and place of manufacture. And what number to paint on the tank. Does the directory hold this info?

Hi All... picked up Triumph 3SW for restoration and will need your collective help on this one.

I've restored a few Triumphs before but this will be my toughest challenge to date! Looking at the standard of restoration set on here I have work to do!!

I'll post up some more pictures and some questions in the projects thread but have added one here to start. What do you think of my 3SW?