~ Military Vehicles, Motorcycles, Jeeps & Militaria ~
Vintage & Classic Cars Motorcles & Military Vehicles Email - Ron Cobb - or UK Tel - 01462 815511. or mobile 07885 512027.
For Sale - (Reducing Collection) 1936/7 Triumph military 3S 350cc. Original War Office Test Bike to 3SW Spec.
Details: For Background information please refer to: 'British Forces Motorcycles 1925 – 1945. By Chris Orchard and Steve Madden'.
This excellent book is generally regarded as ‘The Bible’ accepted as being the most accurate record and reference source for British WW2 military motorcycle enthusiasts.
Page's 150 and 151 along with a War Office photograph confirms:
1936/7 Triumph Model ‘3S’ Frame number: 1630 was supplied under Contract No: C9800, as the ‘Army Test Bike’ - Read on!
This Triumph 350cc military motorcycle is presently registered as: 'EDS 212A' with DVLA and has a V5C Registration Document. It states date of First registration as 1949.
The History File also contains an old Style Buff log book stating date of first registration by Kings Motors Ltd Oxford, as 5 May 1949. This log book is also stamped: EX – GOVERNMENT.
The Engine number: 35086 and frame numbers: 16488 are the same as they are today on the V5C Registration document. The first post war Registration Number given being: NJO 732. This registration number was either sold off or lost due to a period of time when the machine was off the road.
On examination the following identification numbers can be seen on this motorcycle:
As recorded on both registration documents:
The frame number is stamped under the seat and on the headstock: TL 16488.
This number confirms the motorcycle was last supplied by Triumph as a Military Model ‘3SW’ in late 1939 to early 1940 under Contract Number C6128.
Another frame number (stamped in an earlier, larger script), can be clearly seen on the frame underneath the seat; Number: F 1630. This number being the same as the original Triumph ‘3S’army test bike, the only military 3S supplied. Approved and Based on this 3S, the next model, the ‘Triumph 3SW’ followed in production.
This bike was returned to the Coventry factory and was later included in the Contract (Number C6128) for the supply of 3SW motorcycles. This time being factory re stamped on the headstock and frame tube in the correct 3SW position(s).
The 3SW model was short lived as the Triumph factory was destroyed in the ‘Coventry Blitz by the Luftwaffe on the 14th of November 1940.
The Engine number is stamped: ‘3S 35086’ along with the contract number: ‘C 6128’.
Previous Contract: C5108 dates & deliveries to Olympia & Feltham appear to merge with Contract ‘C6128’. During this production/supply time the factory was bombed destroying all but one hundred & fifty one 3SW‘s, plus a few other Triumph models. These bikes and useable parts were recovered from the ruins, repaired, and completed at Triumphs temporary factory set up at ‘Cape Warwick’.
The Engine is an original ‘3S’ engine of the type used on the pre war ‘3S’ civilian type motorcycle. Notably it is also stamped with military piled arms: /|\ above ‘M68’. The bike additionally comes with it’s orig military cylinder head, with head steady casting as adopted but slightly different 3SW.
Almost 100% of military motorcycles that had seen use or action were rebuilt several times using off the shelf reconditioned units and cycle parts then returned for service.
After Dunkirk, many civilian motorcycles were seconded which would have included pre war Triumphs. This bike has all the right military markings and numbers.
Post war, most Triumph 350cc Survivors, (as this one), were sold off by the government via auctions to dealers and the public.
In recent years with very little use, the engine and the magneto have been re built, it also has new tyres. It runs and rides well with a vintage sounding exhaust. There is room for cosmetic improvement or use as is. A very rare bike in any guise, and a great conversation piece at any show. £4,995.
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Vintage & Classic Cars Motorcles & Military Vehicles Email - Ron Cobb - or UK Tel - 01462 815511. or mobile 07885 512027.