Numbers Triumph 3HW,.

[wiki55]

I cannot find any engine number on my 3HW. On the standard place, at the left side of the engine under the cylinder, there is nothing. And also the framenumber in the upper ring of the ball head is missing. The only numbers I have found are TEC 942, Triumph Engineering Company September 1942, but that is the date the motorcycle was given to the army. The other number F1642, is in the neck of the ball head and is probably a partnumber of Triumph.

[Ron]

3HW  frame numbers are usually stamped down the left side of the headstock. Ron

 

[wiki55]

Ron, thanks for the advice. I have looked for that place but there was no number. (see the first picture.) I have removed the paint, but nothing. I have also made a picture of my engine without a number. Only my gearbox seems to have a number. I have a mystery 3HW, It is a mystery to me. 

[Ron]

Still worth sanding that frame area with some fine wet & dry to get rid of the scratches and look again with a torch and magnifying glass to see if the number has been ground off. 

[79x100]

My experience with Nortons suggests that after 1940 or so, new spare-part frames and engines were supplied un-stamped. It's not inconceivable that a bike was put together from spare parts.

[Ron]

My thoughts too Rik. My eyes are probably deceiving me, but I think I can see something. Very difficult with a picture with scratches. Evan as I zoom in of course the scratches get bigger. But well worth discounting it for sure I think.  Ron

[79x100]

I quite agree, Ron, it looks as if there may have been something but few WD bikes are seriously faked. If it was a pre-war Norton Inter or a Tiger 'undred, then I might expect some careful removal.

In the UK, I know someone who would probably be able to give it a serious forensic examination and bring any numbers up but I have no idea if that could be carried out in The Netherlands.

[MatchFuzee]

13 hours ago, 79x100 said:

In the UK, I know someone who would probably be able to give it a serious forensic examination and bring any numbers up but I have no idea if that could be carried out in The Netherlands

This explains how it is done but I don't know if is a DIY job:- http://www.academia.edu/19989779/Analysis_of_Obliterated_Vehicle_Identification_Numbers_cases_study

[wiki55]

I can imagine the bike is build from spare parts. It seems to me very coincidental that the frame as well as the engine has no number. And I dont know if the partnumber under the headstock F1642 is stamped standard in all frames. Maybe it is build together just after the bombing of the Triumph factory when it was chaos probably.

I have no possibilty for a serious forensic examination, but I will try to remove the scratches and clean the side of the headstock better. Thanks for all your help so far. 

Jan