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Vintage Triumph Alpha-Numeric Parts Decoder

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When the first T140s were introduced to the world in late 1972, Triumph decided to make things a bit more complex for their dealers and parts re-sellers around the world.  They decided to also change their parts numbering system from an alpha-numeric system to a numeric system. This made finding parts shared with older models more difficult because the same part now had to part numbers. So, in order to know how one part number translated to another, you needed to do a little sleuthing.  Nothing that would challenge the former resident of 221B Baker Street or need the assistance of Tom Hanks' alter ego, symbologist, Robert Langdon (if you don't know who that is, do some sleuthing yourself). You just had to know how to read Triumph's handy part conversion index they now placed in every new parts catalog.
 
Below, I've published that index which is a key to help you decipher pre-1973 part numbers.  In the index below, you will see that there are several sets of letters accompanied by a number. Each letter has a number representation. Prior to 1972, a common part designation may be D4159. Using the key below, you can change to letter "D" to a "60." You then stick a dash between that number and add the remaining number to translate D4159 to 60-4159. Simple, right? All post-72 part numbers have a two digits followed by a dash (hyphen) and four more numbers. But there are a few other twists. How would you translate this? D159 or D59. There are not enough numbers to get six digit number code.  The trick is, you just add enough zeros to the last four digits to create a 6-digit code. So, D159 would become 60-0159 and D59 would become 60-0059. There are also two alpha-numeric numbers on this list, E1 and F1. You treat these the same as the alpha codes. For example, the old number F12359 would be converted to 83-2359 and E159 would translate to 71-0059. 

As it turns out, you really don't need don't need Sherlock Holmes' amazing facilities of deduction to translating vintage Triumph parts numbers. Just the index below and a few simple tips. Elementary, my dear Watson!

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D - 60
E - 70
E1 - 71
F - 82
F1 - 83
H - 97
S - 21
T - 57
W -
37

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  • HOME
    • About
  • Restorations
    • 1969 BMW R60
    • 1976 Honda CB400F
    • 1968 Harley Rapido
    • 1963 Triumph Bonneville
    • 1970 Honda CB450 Cafe
    • 1971 Montesa Cota
    • 1968 Triumph TR6 Tiger
    • 1974 Suzuki RL250
    • 1976 Yamaha DT250
    • 1972 BMW R75/5
    • 1975 G5 Kawasaki
    • 1975 Honda MR50
    • 1986 Husqvarna TE510
    • Stella Scooter with Side Car
    • 1972 BMW R75/5
    • 1984 BMWR100RT
    • 1964 Cushman Truckster
    • 1995 Suzuki Savage
    • 1977 YAMAHA IT250
  • TECH HELP
    • MOTO-SAFETY
    • MOTO-MAINTENANCE
    • CARBURETION >
      • Mikuni Tuning and Jetting Guide
      • Setting Mikuni Float Levels
      • Choosing Aftermarket Carbs
      • DR350 - MIKUNI CARB CONVERSION
      • TT-R125 MIKUNI CARB CARB CONVESION
      • CB450 MIKUNI CARB CONVERSION
      • VM38SS-VM38-9 COMPARISON
      • CB350-400F Carb Rebuild Demonstration
      • CB550K Carb Rebuild Demonstration
    • BUILDING CABLES
    • JENNINGS TWO STROKE HANDBOOK
    • ABOUT MAGNETOS
    • RESTORATION DISASSEMBLY
    • WHEEL TUNING
    • PREPPING AND PAINT
    • ELECTRICAL
  • BRITISH BIKES
    • SEARCHABLE VINTAGE PARTS CATALOG
    • Triumph Alpha-Numeric Parts Decoder
    • Diagrams and tips for Installing a vintage Triumph crankcase breather
    • Bonneville Fuel Line Routing
    • Vintage Nourish 8-Valve Head
    • 650cc Wiring Diagrams 1963-70
  • WET BLASTING SERVICE
  • MOTO-ART
  • PRODUCT REVIEWS
    • Viking AXE Magnetic Tank Bag Review
    • Traileralarm.com
  • Contact
  • Turchan Super Shark
  • 1960 Rambler American Custom