Hello All,

Photo of my father on a motorbike. He was a despatch rider in the British Army & this photo was taken at Happy Valley, Hong Kong around 1945/6. My father told me he rode BSA & Royal Enfield bikes. From the shape of the crankcases & general appearance I 'think' the bike in the photo is an M20?

However I would be grateful if anyone can confirm the make & model of the bike please?



Any other reminisces or comments about the bike/spec would be useful. Also any info about life as a despatch rider in Hong Kong/Burma would be most interesting.

Appreciated, Broadsman.

It's actually a Triumph. The "TRIUMPH" on the gas tank and also the gas tank cap on the right side are the giveaways.

email (option): mike.kaczorowski@gmail.com

Many thanks Mike.

You know what - I have scoured that photo for hours & never even spotted the Triumph logo - DOH! Now you point it out it's obvious.

Still it's what I wanted to know - basic mystery solved. Wouls still like to know the model but realise I'm on the wrong forum now.

Again appreciated, Broadsman.

Haha, It happens, it's a 3HW

email (option): mike.kaczorowski@gmail.com

It is indeed a Triumph 3HW. The engine timing chest has very similar lines to the BSA 'M' series but then they were both designed by Val Page.

Substantial numbers of 3HWs were shipped to the Far East. It seems likely that it was being considered as one of the primary motorcycles for use in the continuing war against the Japanese. Bearing in mind the large stocks there, it is quite possible that units with worn-out machinery received them as replacements, often at a time when many of the servicemen were about to return home.

It may well be that your father used Enfields in the UK (where most of them remained) and then perhaps M20s.

edit:- Broadsman, I should have said thanks for posting the photo. This forum is open to all WD motorcycles...and we do like photographs !

Just for your interest a couple more photos.....