Searchable Vintage British Motorcycle Parts Catalogs
As far as I know, on one has taken the time to create a trove of searchable parts catalogs for vintage British motorcycles. My employer, MAP Cycle, was a Triumph dealer in the 1970-80s and accumulated a fairly complete collection of post 1940s parts manuals for Triumph, BSA and Norton models. I scanned and processed these manuals with the intention of posting them on our MAP website. But we're currently of updating our website operating software which integrates with our inventory, shipping and sales software (a lot more complex than you might think). So until we get that operational, I'm posting these searchable parts catalogs on my website so I share it with our fellow vintage bike enthusiasts. Be sure to thank MAP Cycle by purchasing parts from them when you have the need. There is dozens of hours of work involved in this project and you get it for free! I've just about completed the unit and pre-unit Triumph twins. Next I'll move onto Triumph singles, BSAs and finally to Norton.
Here's how it works:
To find a part or part number, first select your bike from the list below. Then click "Download File" to open the file. You will need Adobe Acrobat to read the file. Most computers come with Acrobat installed, but you can always go to Adobe.com to use a trail version. Acrobat used to be free, but the standard version (all you really need to read these files) is $12.95. Once the file is open, select the CNTL and F keys on your PC keyboard at the same time and a search box will open. If you're on a Mac, you'll want to select CMD and F keys. Once the search box is open, type in the name of the part or the last four digits of the part number you are seeking. Some of the early files are copy protected so they aren't printable and can't be saved or altered. We have changed that on later files.
Keep in mind a typical part number for Triumph up until the 1970s was alpha-numeric. That means each part identifier had both a letter and numbers, like D4150. Using the new numeric translation, that part identifier would translate to 60-4150, but if you search that number you'll never find it. So you just want to search the last four digits. Also, keep in mind, the Brits used different nomenclature (names) for parts than folks in the US. In the US, we've named the parts that keep mud off our face and back, fenders, whereas in the UK they're known as mudguards. Fork boots are known as gaiters in the UK, saddle bags are panniers and foot pegs are footrests. There are many more examples you'll find while looking through these catalogs. But if you don't find it, look for another part that is nearby or associated with that part. If you ever spent hours looking an old parts catalog, you'll find this a simple and fast experience.
Here's how it works:
To find a part or part number, first select your bike from the list below. Then click "Download File" to open the file. You will need Adobe Acrobat to read the file. Most computers come with Acrobat installed, but you can always go to Adobe.com to use a trail version. Acrobat used to be free, but the standard version (all you really need to read these files) is $12.95. Once the file is open, select the CNTL and F keys on your PC keyboard at the same time and a search box will open. If you're on a Mac, you'll want to select CMD and F keys. Once the search box is open, type in the name of the part or the last four digits of the part number you are seeking. Some of the early files are copy protected so they aren't printable and can't be saved or altered. We have changed that on later files.
Keep in mind a typical part number for Triumph up until the 1970s was alpha-numeric. That means each part identifier had both a letter and numbers, like D4150. Using the new numeric translation, that part identifier would translate to 60-4150, but if you search that number you'll never find it. So you just want to search the last four digits. Also, keep in mind, the Brits used different nomenclature (names) for parts than folks in the US. In the US, we've named the parts that keep mud off our face and back, fenders, whereas in the UK they're known as mudguards. Fork boots are known as gaiters in the UK, saddle bags are panniers and foot pegs are footrests. There are many more examples you'll find while looking through these catalogs. But if you don't find it, look for another part that is nearby or associated with that part. If you ever spent hours looking an old parts catalog, you'll find this a simple and fast experience.
