1946 Triumph 3T, rigid, teles, 350cc. Original and un-restored.

I have decided to sell my 1946 Triumph 3T as I have only ridden it four times in the year that I have owned it. and the rigid frame and modern pot-holed roads don't agree with my knackered back. so I have decided to get a Commando instead. I bought this bike last July from the widow of the second owner. who was a friend of the first owner. The previous owner had done a mechanical restoration not long before he died. and I have done no more than get the carb bored and sleeved and fit a fuse in the wiring loom. It has been stored in a dry garage since October last year. and when I got it back home I replaced the fuel tap corks. fitted new plugs and checked the points gap. charged the battery. drained the sump (not wet-sumped over the whole of Winter). pumped up the tyres and added petrol. and it fired up second kick and ran nicely. I went to take it to a local classic car and bike show. but it only got to the end of the road before it stopped with a magneto fault. I have since cleaned the magneto out and fitted electronic ignition but now find the the dynamo is not charging. It runs fine on the battery. but the timing is not quite spot-on. I have reached the point where I don't want to work on it any more. so have decided to pass it on to someone who will appreciate it (and ride it ) more. If you have read this far you probably know more about the older Triumphs than I do. as I am mainly into 60s and 70s bikes. This model is the second year of post-WW2 production of the pre-war 3T model. but with telescopic forks fitted instead of girders. Fitted with cast-iron barrels and heads. it is a simple bike built to be reliable transport for the masses. Everything works well. except the dynamo. and it has an additional brake light fitted (for safety on modern roads). I am told that it has an earlier (1937-38) fuel tank fitted. but it looks correct for the age. with the tank-top panel including the light switch. ampmeter. oil pressure guage and original Bakelite inspection light. although I have fitted a modern reproduction light for when I took it to shows. The filler cap might be off a military bike apparently. but it fits and works so I have left it alone. The mileage of the bike before the previous owner refurbished it was believed to be 50. 39 miles. but the Smiths speedo was recommissioned and now reads 81 miles. which is most of the mileage I did on it last year. plus one run of 15 miles last month. The work he did on it includes: +020 thou oversize pistons. one inlet valve. complete clutch. new silencers and down-pipes. new handlebars and levers. new wiring loom and battery. new rear wheel bearings. rear brake drum and sprocket. brake shoes. tyres and tubes. front and back. replacement headlamp. front mudguard and back part of the rear mudguard. new seats front and rear. and lots of new nuts and bolts. No doubt there was other stuff as well. but that is all that I was told about. The bike starts easily. and runs quietly (for a cast-iron engine) and smoothly. It drips a little oil from the primary case. but at nearly 70 years old. a little incontinence is understandable. It smokes a bit on start-up but when running it goes away. as I am told by my wife who followed me on her bike. and the speedo might be a bit out. as I was keeping the revs down due to the re-built top-end and the speedo was showing 50 mph when apparently I was doing 60 with ease. There is certainly no lack of go in this old dog. I tested the pressure to make sure the rings were still OK. and it shows 130 psi in both cylinders. The clutch is light and the four-speed gearbox is smooth and sweet. and even has the correct chromed gear lever with a flat end. as apparently rubber was in short supply in 1946. The bike handles well on smooth roads. but the under-damped front forks and rigid back end make it a bit lively round the country lanes at speed! The brakes are adequate for the performance available. and don't judder or squeal. Cosmetically I would say the bike is tidy. The chrome on the tank is quite badly pitted (pictures make it look better than it is) and the bike has been re-painted in black with white lining. which I don't think is correct for the age. but looks right although it could have been done better. There are a couple of shallow dents in the tank too. but they might pull out. There are a few rusty spoke nipples and chips and marks as you would expect from such an old bike. but she wears her age with pride. and I think it would be a shame to restore her to become just another pretty museum piece. She needs to be ridden and used. which is not going to happen with me. so it is time to pass her on to a new owner who will use her as intended. So there you have it. A physically small and light bike. but able to keep up with urban traffic (just stay off dual carriageways and motorways!). Classic insurance is under £100 a year (for me) for an agreed value comprehensive policy. and it is of course MoT and road tax exempt. The registration number is valuable and transferable. but I think it would be a shame to part it from the bike. I have the V5C in my name. plus the original. buff log book. and an original 1945 copy of The Motorcycle (in very good condition) which includes a very good write-up of the bike. I also have a 1951 Pitman's "The book of the Triumph. a complete guide for owners of 1935-49 Triumph motorcycles". and a copy of The Classic Motorcycle which has the second part of an article about doing a top-end rebuild of the 3T. as I was planning to lift the head and replace the valve guides to address the smoking when cold issue. I was also planning to paint the slightly shabby barrels and head at the same time. Usual eBay stuff applies. Viewing is recommended. but no test rides without a huge wad of cash as a deposit and proof of your driving licence and insurance. Cleared funds before release of the bike (obviously). but cash (which will be checked) or direct bank transfer preferred. No deals or swaps wanted thanks (unless it is for a nice Interstate Commando). and the bike is for sale for £5500 or very near offer. thanks. Collection in person preferred. but you could send a courier if you want once you have confirmed that the bike is as described (and paid for it. of course). It is an old bike so sold as seen with no warranty. but I have described it to the best of my ability. Thanks for looking.

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