Only a vintage Triumph can do this

[Rough Edge racing]

 Out of a sporting ride on the backroads, me on a 79 Triumph 750 and Petrus Rocks on his Cali2 Guzzi cafe bike...We had been riding for about 1/2 hour when I looked down at the tach and saw there was a black hole where the ignition lock should be .Damn thing vibrated loose and flew away..But the old turd kept on running.....

[nc43bsa]

Your house keys were on the key ring? 

[oldbike54]

 You have a '79 Bonnie that still had a switch ? That's the amazing part 

 Dusty

[Joliet Jim]

First time I ever did the ton was on my 78 Bonnie as i was going that speed my mirror decided it had had enough and decided to leave. On a trip to Colorado the front fender tabs vibrated apart and the fender finished the trip strapped to the sissy bar.  I miss that bike

[Jim Rich]

They were loveable paint shakers.   

[Rough Edge racing]

Your house keys were on the key ring?

 No, I rarely remove the key from my bikes..

[Rich A]

A friend of mine was trailering his Triumph, and a part fell off.

Rich A

[larrys]

Just like helicopters. One hour in the air, four hours in the hanger...
Larry

[Cal3]

A 1980 Triumph T140 was my first "vintage" bike. I actually rode it a lot and had very good luck with it. It would vibrate some parts off.....but not that often. Its been a long time....but I would like to try one again. I think a T140 and a Commando are the 2 Brits I would pic if I want to ride them a lot and keep up with modern traffic. And parts arent a problem.

[Shorty]

Lovely bikes. A person has to decide if the maintenance involved is therapy or a pain in the backside. 

[twowheeladdict]

Nature of the times.  The guys at Daytona Nut and Bolt knew me well I was riding a 5 year old Yamaha XS750 triple.

[mjptexas]

I left my last vintage Bonneville, a 1968 model, for dead in an Iowa road ditch on July 4, 1972.  That damned Triumph was a lot like the bi-polar coed I was dating at the time: When she was good, the Angels sang, but when she was bad.....

Interestingly enough, I was on my way to see that girl.

[Rough Edge racing]

 Reliable..?. hmmm...for me riding the Triumph 1000 miles a year, it's reliable...It's fun to ride fast on two lane roads, Triumphs have a very mechanical engaging feel to them...This one definitely vibrates less than others I've owned or ridden...But it does vibrate compared to a Italian V twin.

[Seventy One]

While riding I watched a screw fall out of the hand guard on my two month old '13 800XC.

The next 42k miles were more of the same: Two transmission failures, excessive oil consumption, low compression on #3, voltage regulator failures, parts seldom in stock, horn failed at 30k, thin/flaking frame and wheel powder coat, heated grip failure, very weak anodization on mirror stalks (bare steel at 3 years and 38k miles!), etc.

The bike was well maintained and stored indoors. It never seen off-road use. Yet it literally dissolved in front of me. 

Bad bike, bad dealer, bad manufacturer. I expected the new ones to be better. First and last Triumph I'll ever own.

[lrutt]

Lovely bikes. A person has to decide if the maintenance involved is therapy or a pain in the backside. 

I have a 70 Tiger and 71 Trophy. Both have been the model of reliability for me and I've had the 71 for almost 20 years now. It's all original, both are actually. And stone reliable if ridden within their happy zone, which means 55 to 60. Any more than that and you can start to feel the vibes. In that zone though they are completely happy. Maintenance is basically oil changes, like any bike. I think the old Brit bikes get a bad rap which is mainly due to how they have been take care of and PO's.

[stonelover]

Rode a '57 Thunderbird until it was stolen in 1961.  Served me well.  Always reliable.

[Adk.IBO]

My '71 Triumph Tiger 650 sealed my passion for distance riding by motorcycle. At 17 in 1975 Syracuse to e fDaytona during hurricane season, the whole east coast was under water. Stayed in Daytona for 4 months.

Ironically it was brought up in conversation last week and someone said "bet you still had that one!". My answer- nope, no way. It was fun and the memories are great but today's rides are far superior...

[Sheepdog]

My ‘71 TR6R still has the original ignition switch...but I lost the key.

[Rough Edge racing]

I have a 70 Tiger and 71 Trophy. Both have been the model of reliability for me and I've had the 71 for almost 20 years now. It's all original, both are actually. And stone reliable if ridden within their happy zone, which means 55 to 60. Any more than that and you can start to feel the vibes. In that zone though they are completely happy. Maintenance is basically oil changes, like any bike. I think the old Brit bikes get a bad rap which is mainly due to how they have been take care of and PO's.

 If you run them hard there's small parts that break from vibration and you do need to  check the bike over closely every  300-500 miles  with wrenches in hand..If a rider does that and has mechanical sympathy ,the bike will be reliable 

[steven c]

 Not a Triumph, But I was out on a ride on my 72 Kawasaki F7 and hit a bump and the key flew out of the switch,it hit my knee and  then the road, luckily not a busy road and I was able to find it after a little searching.

[Petrus Rocks]

The CalII has been good about parts falling off.  The aluminum rear fender cracked so I weleded it-cracked again next to the weld.  The muffler was about to fall off because the mount to the frame broke.  Other wise good in four years of riding

[Daleroso]

Thoroughly enjoying my '18 T120 (1200cc) Bonnie set up for long distance. The '18 V7III Shine set up for day/wknd rides. Both much more enjoyable than the MGX 21 &  several HD's prior. They fit where I'm at now. Replace the '05 Ural I enjoyed for 9 years (traded for a '13  T100 (865 cc's) Bonnie & My life will be perfect.😃 LOL