Moreno Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 Good morning everyone, I have been looking for a Triumph 3hw for a long time and now I have two to restore (almost three) .I have seen that it is possible to go back through the chassis number and data including the registration number on the tank ... I don't want to be too indiscreet but someone can help me ... thank you for your time. TL 34216. Tec 1.43 TL 35774 Tec 3.44 The chassis number 35774 has two small marks at the beginning and end of the numbers and the other one does not have them.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenkinov Posted February 16, 2020 Share Posted February 16, 2020 Hi Moreno . Great finds ..There is a register of Triumph military bikes at wdtriumph.com you may want to get your bikes on the list also if you are actively buying bikes you will enjoy British military motor cycles 1924-1945 by Chris orchard and Steve Madden it contains manufacturing tables which may find useful . Triumph bikes are heavily stamped on both the engines and Frame ..so photos of the engines may reveal more Frame 34216 Jan 1943 ...this was contract number C13948 frame no.s 30923 to 36417 the matching engine number will be 3HW 40923 to 46417 the seat post manufacturing date shows Jan 1943 The second frame is more complex the frame number would suggest it's in the above contract but the Seat post date is later at March 1944 .......The offset stamping on the frame is unusual ..my suggestion is that frame was a spare military frame that was restamped when the original was damaged beyond repair (not uncommon in the war ) The stamping is likely to have been done at a REME workshop rather than the factory. Photos of the engines and stamping may reveal more.... Jenkinov Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moreno Posted February 16, 2020 Author Share Posted February 16, 2020 thank you for the information, I have seen the triumphwd site and as soon as possible I register with my bikes.I believe that you are right about the chassis n.TL.35774,I did not think that the engine number is also important for the identity of the bike, now I send the photos .. TL.35774. Motor . 53847 TL.34216. Motor. 44216 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenkinov Posted February 17, 2020 Share Posted February 17, 2020 Moreno ..Thank you for The photos of the engines . Frame 34216 is a jan 43 frame and the engine number is within the expected range at 44216 if you look between the 3hw and the engine number you can see the war department stamp for inspector 52 at the triumph factory ...both contract 13948 Frame 35744 is a genuine March 44 frame but the appears to have been stamped with an earlier frame number potentially at a TIME site The engine number correlates with the March 44 date it was produced for contract S2956 between December 43 and June 44 ..the engine range for this contract was 3HW 51418 to 56417 ..so engine 53847 is in that range Both Engine and Frame are from the same contract S2956 .....again of interest is the war dept stamp is not visible on the photo of 53847 ..is it visible elsewhere ? Hope the above helps. Jenkinov Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted February 17, 2020 Share Posted February 17, 2020 Jenk, if you haven't noticed? Engine 44216 is the factory matched engine for frame 34216. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moreno Posted February 17, 2020 Author Share Posted February 17, 2020 Thank Jenk, thank Ron for your informations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris P Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 Hello all, I hope you don’t mind me tagging on to this thread. I’m looking for a set of forks for my 3HW and was wondering if any of you know of some for sale. My email is chris.plunkett@hotmail.co.uk. Thank you Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenkinov Posted April 21, 2020 Share Posted April 21, 2020 Hi Chris 3hw forks come up quite regularly . Firstly avoid the Indian copies that you see they are of poor quality and simply not worth the money... ..The Greek army used triumph 3hws into the fifties and there is a steady stream of parts listed on eBay as the bikes are still being actively broken for parts .I looked today and at least I set of front forks is listed in Athens ...just be aware these are from bikes that have stood and will probably need work..but I would I would buy these and repair them .. Cornucopia enterprises is also worth contacting .they don't have forks currently listed but may be able to help Get plenty of photos before you commit to buying them and share them with the forum ..you will get honest opinion on their condition and value Jenkinov Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris P Posted April 22, 2020 Share Posted April 22, 2020 Hi Jenkinov Thanks very much for taking the time to reply. Yes I have a reasonably original bike with horrible repro forks that I’m hoping to replace. I’ve been tracking fleabay for about 6 months now and there have been and still are two bare girders (if you count a 3SW) for sale from Sellers in Greece. I’ve contacted them both and apart from a spring that’s all they have. I’ve contacted Cornucopia and they seem to be running down stock, however they have spindles and a head race set which is helpful. It’s the the top and bottom yoke that’s the problem and being cast items they are the dodgiest parts to use a repro for. And they are the worst bits on my bike! I’ve contacted some of the girder fork specialists as well and so far I’ve had no reply. I think what you are suggesting is start collecting reasonable condition bits where you can and hope it comes together eventually, a complete original set (in any condition) only being available under a pile of rocking horse poo! I will start doing that. I will post any significant progress and thanks again for taking the time to reply. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted April 22, 2020 Share Posted April 22, 2020 (edited) Chris are you aware that 3SW (Triumph) and 3HW (Webb) forks are not the same so spindles and spring are different. I have notified Peter Long (Cornucopia) that some of his listing might be wrong, which he said he would rectify.......I haven't checked though. Fortunately there is a guy in Sussex who makes and sells spindles/bushes and headstock bearing sets for all Triumph models. And probably cheaper! Contact details on request. Ron Edited April 22, 2020 by Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris P Posted April 22, 2020 Share Posted April 22, 2020 Hi Ron, Many thanks for this and yes I was aware there was a difference and that once on the 3SW route you have to stick with it. I was only planning on doing that if desperate. I think the cornucopia spindles show the correct part numbers for a 3HW but still refer to being usable for the 3SW! Thanks for the heads up. I’ve been in contact with Jake Robbins but if there is another company in Sussex I would be very interested to have the details. Thank you. Thanks for taking the time to reply and by the way you have an impressive list of kit, well done (I’ve always loved the Austin Tilley) Cheers Chris (an old bloke in a shed with one old motorbike) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted April 22, 2020 Share Posted April 22, 2020 Chris I've seen some wonderful work from Jake's workshop but unfortunately that was definitely not the case with my M20 forks that he restored. Unbelievably, for a man in his profession, he used the wrong (sintered) bronze which disintegrated during 1000 miles. Plus my brake rod lug got damaged. I've also heard of more serious problems which I'll not go into. The guy I'm referring too, who makes the fork parts and has also re-bushed Triumph forks for two mates is John Brewster, Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris P Posted April 22, 2020 Share Posted April 22, 2020 Hi Ron, I was not aware of this chap so that’s a great bit of info for me, thank you. Also your comments re Jake Robbins are very timely, again thank you. Cheers Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris P Posted June 7, 2020 Share Posted June 7, 2020 Good afternoon Ron, I have managed to pull together an original and complete set of forks and it is now with John of JHB for rebushing. Many thanks again for the tip. I am now looking at the remaining non-original parts on the bike and was hoping for a little more advice. Firstly the battery carrier looks original but I was wondering if we know how the battery was housed (if it was) when it came out of the factory. I presume that because of the shortage of rubber during the war that it was a plain metal box. Does that sound right? Secondly the field stand is a repro and the stay is welded to the frame. Do we know if the clamp method was always used to attach it to the frame on the 3HW (mine is a late 44) in which case I will need to find a clamp as well as an original ‘stick’ and pivot bit and grind off the present stay. Thank you Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted June 7, 2020 Share Posted June 7, 2020 No Chris the clamp is correct only for the earlier SV's. The welded on pivot is correct on a 3HW. The battery was a Lucas "WD" item which had a date molded in. Here is my original (1943) which has been used as a pattern to make some nice repros........When time and conditions allow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenkinov Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 I believe I have one of the reproductions ...very nice and recommended ..I bought mine quite while back .are they still available ? Jenkinov Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 Arnaud in France makes them and I usually sell them on his behalf. He's told me he'll do another small batch, but I think the current conditions must be hindering him. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris P Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 That’s really helpful Ron, thank you. The box looks really authentic and perhaps I could contact you in a few months to check if you have some. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 Yep I'll ask Arnaud again but don't want to pester him....His life is difficult enough! Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris P Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 Hello all, I’ve decided to remove the magdyno and gearbox so they can be refurbished over the next few months and was wondering if anyone had any tips on who to use (or not use) for each of these. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris P Posted September 18, 2020 Share Posted September 18, 2020 Ron, I was just wondering if the battery boxes were available now. Many thanks Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted September 18, 2020 Share Posted September 18, 2020 Arnaud told me he was going to make another small batch, but I haven't heard from him for a couple of weeks. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris P Posted September 18, 2020 Share Posted September 18, 2020 Ah thank you and hopefully he is ok. I’ll try again in a month or two. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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