RussH

Spurred on by your eye for detail Ron, I've rubbed back a coat of paint or two. No sign of filled holes, ref the photo, the Triumph logo on the tank looks to be a hand drawn late addition. The base coat is brown, difficult to define the shade - which is very subjective to ambient light and surroundings anyway. Brown layer has been followed (badly) by three layers of black . Could the brown be WD or a primer coating ? was any primer used at the time, I don't see any evidence of one. I'll take a closer look at the paint layers on the frame and oil tank !

I guess marketing speak was just as valid in those days 😂 I understand that most of the SE's were destined for Australia, the target market was different, offering a basic, low cost, reliable transport for greater average distances to be travelled than in the UK. I note in the parts lists that the SW was a low compression engine, does anyone know the difference in piston to achieve this - I'm guessing either shorter or dished. My piston is flat topped, just wondered if this is an indicator for a 3S or 3SW engine build. Ron, you asked about the tank, there are no indications of fixation for badges, centre or side, but fortunately appears in good sound condition. Biggest blow to a rebuild is to find a failed brazed repair in one of the fork arms, I think a complete rebuild would be needed - if feasible, or replacement. I've seen poor feedback on some of the guys advertising rebuild services so would be interested to have any recommendations based on personal experience. Searches for TL forks are not coming up with any genuine parts so far, I plan to take a look at some auto jumbles (UK) - what's your opinion on fork availability, TL forks were used on a few models so they should come up for sale ?

.. The Somerset levels, know them well, grew up in the Bridgwater area !

Unfortunately there is no record of previous registration and I spent a couple of hours yesterday rubbing back layers of paint on the numberplate, as suggested by Garys39 and Lex, to no avail. Several layers of paint but no indication of letters or numbers. A close look at the stamped frame number would indicate that the "H" is a different font than the others but I don't believe that the other numbers have been modified. The number "6" looked suspicious but I think genuine. - I was a metallurgist for a few years and have some experience of searching for cracks and other defects but have to admit that searching for peened out numbers did not come up too often ! You mention a triumph logo on the engine casing, where would this have been - as part of the serial number sequence ?

Wishful thinking for additional numbers I'm afraid ! Good idea to take back the paint on the numberplate, I'll give it a go. From the history proposed it will probably (should) be a German reference.

Wow, what a fantastic amount of information you've been able to gather together - much appreciated ! One point which I don't quite follow is the fact that the engine and probably the bike had been assembled prior to being impressed, but neither engine number nor frame number was assigned (stamped) by Triumph. Obviously in the heat of the moment there would have been a rush to assemble and ship machines for the war effort, probably the case here, as you mentioned Rewdco, no doubt mistakes were, understandably, made. With such a time line, my feeling is to restore the bike in the current build configuration - frame engine and mudguards - too good a story to lose ! Thanks again for your inputs, I'm still amazed. I'll be needing help on specific details of the rebuild but will start new threads for those questions or is it preferred to use other forums for detailed engine specific mechanical questions ?

Ron, thanks for your comments. I’m a bit puzzled that it’s an impressed civil model, please excuse that I’m very new to the subject. By impressed, it means the ( engine) was taken by the war dept. from civilian stock before the engine was serialised by Triumph ? The census number used for reference being a military reference and not a Triumph engine serial number ? I understand that definitive records are unlikely, especially taken that the factory and records were destroyed around that production time, but I’m interested to know views on the practice employed at the time. wrt the frame, can you point me towards any references for dimensions / geometry and differences between the Triumph TL and TH frames. I’d like to be able to confirm one way or another that the frame is correct for the engine. I guess it will make the difference between a historic vehicle or a paperweight with an interesting story, when it comes to registration, unfortunately. Thanks, Russ

Hi Lex, Thanks for your comments, Interesting for the mudguards - the rear is hinged, just behind the carrier and I wasn't able to find that detail on a Triumph part. Photo of frame number attached, number is on the headstock, no markings under the saddle. IMG_3031.pdf

Hi, I've recently acquired what I believe is a Triumph 3SW, at least that is what is indicated on the engine stamp. The frame number on the headstock is H 270061 and I've not been able to find any reference to a Triumph frame in this sequence, can anyone throw any light on this ? I live in France and took the bike from someone living near the swiss / german border region. The bike has never been registered that I can see, the previous owner had it in his workshop around 20yrs, untouched. To my eye, the frame is correct for the 3S although no indication of a field stand as would have been added to 3SW. The tank is SW/SE as would have been supplied for the french market in civil configuration. Forks need to be rebuilt but look complete. Overall, the engine appears in good shape, I'm missing the carb and magdyno so starting is not currently an option ! Engine turns over freely on the kickstart, bores and valves look ok. Gearbox cycles through the gears smoothly (with a more satisfying click than my modern BMW !) A lot of the ancillaries were secured with metric bolts - not surprising if modded in france over its life ! - I'll be looking for the correct one's lol Primary casing is alloy - I was expecting pressed steel for SW ? I'd like to have more information on the frame number before proceeding too far with the refurb, is it really an SW or SE (which will determine the colour, to start with) or is it destined to be to be a pretty bitza ? Thanks in advance for your help - and comments ! Russ IMG_2969.pdf IMG_2972.pdf

Hi, Here in France I've recently acquired a 1940 Triumph 3SW in "barn find" condition, I'm quite excited to be making a start on the restoration and participating in this community. Cheers, Russ