Triumph T140?

[Charles Murrell]

Need help to identify this bike.  Customer has registration for 1973 Triumph with serial number - T140ED33324.  Engine has serial number EH33324.  Bike has been modified and we are reluctant to register it as an authentic Triumph motorcycle.  Can you help in authenticating the serial numbers?  Thanks!

[L.A.B.]

T140ED33324.  Engine has serial number EH33324.

T140ED33324 - "ED" = Would give the date of manufacture as...May = E, 1970 model year = D.

EH33324 - "EH" = Manufactured...E = May,  H = 1973 model year.

BUT....NO T140 Bonnevilles were made before calendar year August 1972 (JH) which was the start of the 1973 Triumph production year, "JH" being an earlier '73 model production code than "EH".

So "T140ED33324" certainly sounds wrong for any T140 model, as certainly none were made that early (May 1970)?


The engine number could well be genuine, but I would have expected it to be stamped T140V? = T140V EH33324 unless you haven't quoted it in full?.

[Charles Murrell]

It is stamped with a V and the D should be an H - T140VEH33324; sorry, but it is difficult to read some of the stampings.  Should the stamping be on the down tube towards the engine?  I ask because this stamping is on the left front fork leading to the wheel spoke.  It looks like he used parts from a T140 and assembled the bike.  Really appreciate your help with this.

[Charles Murrell]

Forgot the picture of the engine numbers.

[L.A.B.]

Should the stamping be on the down tube towards the engine?  I ask because this stamping is on the left front fork leading to the wheel spoke.  It looks like he used parts from a T140 and assembled the bike.

The T140 frame would normally be stamped at the very top of the left-hand down tube.

But, obviously, the cycle parts (frame, forks, wheels etc.) of the bike in question, bear no resemblance whatsoever to a standard T140 = US style export version:http://www.vintagebike.co.uk/Bike%20Directories/Triumph%20Bikes/pages/Triumph-T140V-73(2).htm

The UK and general export versions had a different style fuel tank, plus a few other minor differences.

[Charles Murrell]

L.A.B. - Thanks for your assistance.  We have decided to register this bike as an Assembled Vehicle since it was significantly altered from the original T140 model.  It still needs some safety items replaced to make roadworthy, but after that is done, we will proceed.  Again, thanks for your help.

Charles