• Rare Motorcycle
• Very light little chopper
• Freshly rebuilt 350cc engine

Despite Triumph’s early beginnings in Germany, by the mid-1920’s Triumph had become one of Britain’s main motorcycle manufacturers. 

The 1930’s saw Triumph go through several restructuring moves including the sale of it’s car division to the Standard Motor Company. However the motorcycle division did better, and in 1936 was acquired by Jack Sangster who also owned the Ariel brand. 
The company went from strength to strength exporting to the USA, and quickly became known as the Triumph Engineering Co Ltd.  

During the second world war Triumph’s Coventry factory was virtually destroyed in the Blitz of 1940, but machinery and tooling were recovered and production began again at a new plant in Meriden, Warwickshire in 1942. 

After producing military motorbike’s during the war years, Triumph reverted to making civilian machines in 1946 and Engineers Edward Turner and Val Page soon designed the Speed Twin engine featuring a 360 degree parallel crank. The 3T 350cc twin (based on the same design), was then born - launched to fill the pressing need for an economical everyday ‘workhorse’.

This 3T was first registered on the 16.03.1948. 

Bought in 2014, the current owner tells us that this 3T chopper was created in Wales in 2013 as a homage to a pit pony called Kruger who died in the Senghenydd coal mining disaster of 1913 along with 439 men! - the petrol tank filler cap is engraved to this effect. 

The rear mud guard also features a plaque with the Welsh dragon and the inscription “Made in Wales”. 

The original buff logbook and current V5 are present with this bike along with the last Welsh issued MOT from 2014, receipts for the engine rebuild and various ‘research’ items of paperwork.

Overall, this motorcycle is in very good condition. It is clear that a lot of thought, money and man hours have gone into creating it. The customisation appears to be very well executed and the bike still retains that ‘period’ look. There are additional design references to the coal pits and ‘Kruger’ the pit pony which include chain-link rear guard supports and horseshoe footrests. 

As the photos indicate, the powder coated frame and the purple fleck paint on the tanks and rear guard are all in excellent condition. The shiny bits are also clean. The custom engineered front forks look the business and great little touches like the front cycle lamp (with some age-related patina), NGK plugs and period leads and rear number plate frame complete the picture.      

The current owner tells us that this great little machine easily starts on the first kick - and smooth running is no doubt helped by the electronic ignition. The original 3T engine is freshly rebuilt (including the crank), at a cost of £800 alone. 

With approximately 10 miles on the engine it will need running in. The punchy vertical twin develops approximately 19 horsepower and should be capable of around 74mph+. It features rocker boxes incorporated into it’s cast iron cylinder-head and a built-up (pressed together) crankshaft with one piece connecting rods. Happily there are no signs of any leaks.

The owner has also fitted a large rear sprocket for higher gearing and new brake shoes should offer rider confidence. The frame is standard with a neat extended bolt on the axle plates.

This very light compact chopper/bobber would ideally suit a younger, perhaps lighter person, although the current owner says “I’m 6.4 and it’s a comfortable ride…”.

Due to the relatively low numbers produced between 1946-1951 the 3T is indeed a rare sight these days. This ‘ready to go’ custom example should certainly turn heads with it’s vintage, mean, low-stance looks and returning around 80mpg, it’s low-down grunt will surely excite too.