Team-BHP (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/)

-   Post-War (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/post-war/)

-   -   1944 Triumph 3 HW (Military) Restoration (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/post-war/245434-1944-triumph-3-hw-military-restoration.html)

So I had restored one way back in 1995 from scratch (MYV-3962-photo available on Team-BHP images) which I later sold due to paucity of time. The memories however never stopped haunting me.

This is a World War-II Military Dispatch riders mount that was used by the allied forces during the war. It was auctioned by the Indian army post independence.

So after having recently located and acquired one with a lot of effort, I will be personally restoring her in my home garage. Will document the restoration with pics and description, as often as possible.

Here are the first look images of the bike as of today.

Managed to completely strip the motorcycle and disassemble the engine & power train a while back. The big end bearing was in good condition but all 3 crankshaft bearings needed replacement. I managed to order them from overseas and they came from the UK last week. Below are pics of the crankcase with the new bearings fitted. I used Loctite 648 retaining compound to secure the bearings on the shafts. The flywheel also came back balanced and trued from the machine shop.

Oil feed & return pipes that were missing made from copper tube as per spec and soldered to the union today. These help draw and return oil, under oil pump action to the external oil tank.

Wonderful to see the documentation of the step by step approach followed you you. The detailing is just superb

Do share the inspiration for the build. The picture of your father and his bike will be a great story for you to share here

Cheers

KPS

Thank you KPS Sir :). It all began for me after being inspired by my father who used three different Triumph 3 HW motorcycles for more than twenty five years from the 60s to the late eighties. I used to be ferried to school as a kid on the last bike we owned. My childhood was replete with the stories he used to tell of the various escapades he had on his mounts, including a South India trip he did with my Grandpa as his pillion.

Attached pic of him astride on his motorcycle in Bengaluru, Dt. 1962.

Come weekend and it's restoration time :). Gearbox bushings made in the lathe. Top gear sliding dog and constant mesh layshaft gear that had worn out imported from the UK and assembled with new bearings.

Substituting gaskets with Loctite 510 flange sealant that does a better job.

Attached pics.

With the engine and transmission work done, the frame and body parts came back from sand blasting last week, all ready to be painted. My painter agreed to come and work right here at my home garage, since it's already equipped with an air compressor and gun.

We're going for a coat of Red oxide on the sand blasted surface, followed by surfacer and two coats of paint, followed by Matt lacquer to seal the paint in.

The paint is a special mix Matt done in Duco, to achieve the Matt drab olive shade that was in vogue in 1944 British army vehicles. Not using PU paint, with an aim to avoid the modern look.

Such a lovely picture, thanks for sharing. I presume the MYA number would have been reassigned in the mid 60s - any idea what the subsequent registration number was?

@karlosdeville, That bike was sold by dad sometime in the late sixties, when he picked up another. No idea about what happened to it later.

Incidentally, we had a green 1954 Super 10 in the 1980's (MYV 423). Mentioning, as I recall you restored one :) Thank you.

Parts painted, and assembly in progress.

The extent to which this restoration is done, you can install it as is in your living room and call it an Art - it is beautiful.

Hope to see it finish, why not gloss black?

Thank you for the kind words @Kosfactor:thumbs up
Trying my best to achieve originality, so as to make her the way she left the factory way back in 1944, to serve the British forces in WW-II

The colour code chosen is British Army olive drab of '44, the exact shade used back then for the armed forces. The paint is completely Matt and non- reflective, so as to prevent reflection in the battlefield. No gloss or chrome, since this was a military issue motorcycle & not a civilian model

Powerplant fixed on to the frame, engine assembly due.

These motorcycles used an air raid blackout lamp made by Joseph Lucas electric, in place of the normal headlight. It was army issue, mandatory on these bikes during the war. The primary purpose was to prevent bomber airplanes above from seeing the vehicle moving below, as would happen with a normal head light. The light just allows front view, as in allowing vehicles in the opposite side to spot the motorcycle. A similar set-up, albeit without a mask is used for the little, military rear tail light.

I love the way this entire restoration is unraveling @Cosmic_Ocean. And that picture of your dad in 1962 astride his bike - pure gold!!

Can't wait to see this bike fully restored to its original glory. I expect the slow journey through these posts is going to be every bit as rewarding as the final destination of the completed project.

Good luck and do keep the updates flowing.

Cheers.