hi guys thanks for the response, I have found the engine number prefix "5TA" then the H20809 so that makes the original bike a 'Speed Twin" is that correct?
Yes, that should make it a Speed Twin.
there are three wires coming out the bottom of the engine, seems to be located between gearbox and clutch housing these I assume to be from the alternator,
Very likely, what are the colours of those wires?
they would go to the rectifier/regulator unit hey can anyone tell me which terminals the wires connect to, I assume two would be the ac input to the rectifier but the third I don't know, but there again am I correct about two being the rectifier ac input?
There should be a rectifier, and two alternator wires go to it, assuming the three wires you have found are
light Green, mid Green and dark Green?
The light and dark green wires can connect to either one of the rectifier outer terminals (3 terminals?).
However, this is where it gets a little complicated, as those early 6V alternator systems used the ignition and lighting switches to regulate output, by switching in the extra alternator (mid Green) wire for lighting, which according to the wiring diagram I have, mid Green goes to terminal 16 of the PRS8 combined ignition & lighting switch.
is there a "best' workshop manual for this model triumph, I just don't want to buy one and find I could have got better when I'm so far away from the UK
thanks and cheers everyone I'll be waiting!!
I couldn't really say for sure if one would be better for you than another? As they all seem to leave out some pretty vital pieces of information at times!
Maybe the Haynes would be the better option for you as they show things step-by-step with photos (sometimes not very good photos) although the Haynes manuals often try to cover too many model types in the same book, which can sometimes be confusing.
http://www.haynes.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=27112&langId=-1The original factory manuals were really meant as reference books for motorcycle dealer workshops, rather than to be used private owners, as is more common these days, so tend to be written in a way that assumes the person reading it has had a certain amount of experience and training.
There's also the American Clymer manuals, and these are normally very good for the enthusiast.
The particular manual you require covers many different models of British bikes, and I have no idea how much of that manual space is devoted to the 5TA model. And it's really meant for 63-on unit 500 models.
http://www.clymer.com/Book.aspx?bid=637&title=Clymer+Collection+Series+-+British+Street+BikesHowever the Owners' Instruction Manuals of that period are somewhat of a mini-manual in themselves, so can be useful.