Engine & frame numbers for Triumph twin cylinder vintage motorcycles including the following models, Speed Twin, T100, 5T, TR5.
I have compiled a series of tables to show the generally accepted information on the engine and frame numbers for Triumph motorcycles. This table shows data specifically for the Triumph pre-unit twin cylinder motorcycles from 1940 to 1949.
Pre-unit Twin cylinder models, 1940 to 1949
| Year(s) | Engine numbers | Frame numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1946 | from 72000 | prefixed as before |
| 1947 | from 79046 | prefixed as before |
| 1948 | 88864 to 102235 | TFI 5001 to TF2500 |
| 1949 | 102236 to 113386 | TF25001 to TF33615 |
Notes:
Year is shown in the engine number prefix with two figures.
For example 40-5T-26445 is a 1940 Speed Twin.
This practice was followed religiously and some single prefixes may appear on postwar models.
Frame prefixes were ‘TL” for the 3T up to 1948 and TC for 1949. TR5 for 1949 was TC followed by a ‘T” after the actual number. All other frames were TF. TR5 models did not have separate number series but ran concurrently with all other models. I.E. 112671 was last ’49 TR5 and I1 3386 the last ’49 5T.
All Grand Prix T-100’s have letter ‘R” suffix following engine and frame numbers.
TR5 models had separate number series; engines from 101001 to 106424, frames from TC11001-T to TC13107-T.
By 1950 frame and engine numbers were matching.
If you are looking for a Triumph part, it may be worth looking at this page. If I have anything, that’s where it will be. You will need to look for the Triumph parts among the other early parts.
If you are looking to sell, or seeking a specific part, let me know here. I will do my best to help.
