Restoration of a Triumph 350 3TA Motorcycle - Triumph Twenty One

Episode 1

Here's a wonderful story just the way I like them! Let's take a step back... imagine yourself in 1978!

I'm not even 18 yet, and a family friend sells me my first motorcycle at a friend's price, the PUCH 250 featured on this site. Next to the Puch, there's another motorcycle under a cover, and I spot the small luggage rack on the tank. I'm already dreaming! But at 17, it's not possible to have 2 motorcycles at once, and besides, the owner doesn't want to part with it.

Time goes by, life goes on, but in a corner of my mind, this dormant motorcycle is still there... And then, almost by chance during a family weekend, we reminisce about our youth, inevitably talking about motorcycles and... "can you imagine if that motorcycle still exists?" Who knows!

A few phone calls, some reunions, and the generosity of friends! Unbelievable, it's no longer in the same place, but it still exists.

Oh, don't get too excited, certainly not in very good condition, time and humidity haven't been kind to the mechanics! Regardless of the condition, it's too beautiful, we're going to get it. I don't even know what model it is, in my mind, it's just a distinctive luggage rack from the 1960s Triumphs!

6 hours on the road, another night to wait, and finally, the precious help of the gardener and his indispensable brush cutter to make our way through the brambles and finally enter the barn...

Here it is, in its corner, barely hidden by a cover. A true emotion, I can see myself again... it's been... 44 years!

There it is, the luggage rack on the tank.

Engine seized, gearbox stuck, chain completely rusted, the rear wheel doesn't turn... We need to lift the rear and push through the brambles! Thankfully, I brought an air pump to inflate the front tire, and Marco is helping out!

Finally, here it is on the trailer!

Thank you Denis, Arlette, Marco, Nanou...

Alright, I'll take good care of it. Everything will go smoothly!