Nice old triumph

[vstevens]

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/mcy/d/carlsbad-1976-triumph-bonneville/7186016835.html

Gonna take a look later in the week.  I’m sure we have a few folks here who have owned oil in frame Bonnevilles.  Any thoughts or opinions?

[Shorty]

I owned a couple of those in the early 90s. They were a little more reliable than the earlier models. Not as valuable. The OIFs have a higher seat height which some claimed ruined the looks and the handling. Not a bad bike overall, but way behind other bikes of the period in terms of reliability. Couldn't give them away for years, as the aficionados think the good ones ended in 1970 and have RH shift. The older ones are either chopperized or priced beyond the reach of casual owners, so the 71 and later models started taking on value. NOT a bike for a non mechanic owner,    When the bike is running right,  it is a thing of joy.  Until it isn't  Have fun!

[lucian]

seems reasonable compared to this one
 https://maine.craigslist.org/mcy/d/windham-1969-triumph-bonneville-t120r/7172975923.html

[slopokes]

That’s a living room bike(if you ar single)...

[JJ]

I owned a couple of those in the early 90s. They were a little more reliable than the earlier models. Not as valuable. The OIFs have a higher seat height which some claimed ruined the looks and the handling. Not a bad bike overall, but way behind other bikes of the period in terms of reliability. Couldn't give them away for years, as the aficionados think the good ones ended in 1970 and have RH shift. The older ones are either chopperized or priced beyond the reach of casual owners, so the 71 and later models started taking on value. NOT a bike for a non mechanic owner,    When the bike is running right,  it is a thing of joy.  Until it isn't  Have fun!

Shorty pretty much summed it all up....If I were to buy another vintage Bonnie, it would be 1967-1970.  Not a fan of the OIF models, as Shorty mentioned.  $3800 is not an outrageous price if the bike has been well maintained.  Good luck!

[vstevens]

I owned a couple of those in the early 90s. They were a little more reliable than the earlier models. Not as valuable. The OIFs have a higher seat height which some claimed ruined the looks and the handling. Not a bad bike overall, but way behind other bikes of the period in terms of reliability. Couldn't give them away for years, as the aficionados think the good ones ended in 1970 and have RH shift. The older ones are either chopperized or priced beyond the reach of casual owners, so the 71 and later models started taking on value. NOT a bike for a non mechanic owner,    When the bike is running right,  it is a thing of joy.  Until it isn't  Have fun!

Thank you Shorty.  I’m no real mechanic but maintenance isn’t a problem.  We’ll see on this one.  Owner claims it’s a good running, clean and unrestored original. 

[oldbike54]

 The rear brake master cylinder will either not work at all or will lock the tire . The suspension is oversprung and underdamped. The triple row primary chain adjuster won't
Really work , the rocker boxes will leak oil where the spindles come through on the left side , as will the pushrod tubes . The clutch pull will rival a Laverda , the throttle pull will build forearm muscles , and the alternator stator will fail .

 Dusty

[Ncdan]

The rear brake master cylinder will either not work at all or will lock the tire . The suspension is oversprung and underdamped. The triple row primary chain adjuster won't
Really work , the rocker boxes will leak oil where the spindles come through on the left side , as will the pushrod tubes . The clutch pull will rival a Laverda , the throttle pull will build forearm muscles , and the alternator stator will fail .

 Dusty

Yea but it’s purdy 🤣🤔

[oldbike54]

Yea but it’s purdy 🤣🤔

 Fairly light also , which is good , makes it easy to push .

 Dusty

[JJ]

Yea but it’s purdy 🤣🤔

Yes...and then there is THIS little gemstone!!

[Shorty]

 

[vstevens]

The rear brake master cylinder will either not work at all or will lock the tire . The suspension is oversprung and underdamped. The triple row primary chain adjuster won't
Really work , the rocker boxes will leak oil where the spindles come through on the left side , as will the pushrod tubes . The clutch pull will rival a Laverda , the throttle pull will build forearm muscles , and the alternator stator will fail .

 Dusty

Dusty that’s beginning to sound like my ‘73
Sportster.  Not a fun bike.  Maybe this jackal is still available
https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/mcy/d/san-diego-moto-guzzi-jackal/7177697178.html

Lots of interesting bikes lately...

[oldbike54]

Dusty that’s beginning to sound like my ‘73
Sportster.  Not a fun bike.  Maybe this jackal is still available
https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/mcy/d/san-diego-moto-guzzi-jackal/7177697178.html

Lots of interesting bikes lately...

 Toss the PC and ride it . The price is high though .

 Dusty

[elrealistico]

The rear brake master cylinder will either not work at all or will lock the tire . The suspension is oversprung and underdamped. The triple row primary chain adjuster won't
Really work , the rocker boxes will leak oil where the spindles come through on the left side , as will the pushrod tubes . The clutch pull will rival a Laverda , the throttle pull will build forearm muscles , and the alternator stator will fail .

 Dusty

BTDT All of the above :)

[JJ]

Always liked the clean lines of the 1967 T120 Bonneville...Would love to own one like this someday...(*SIGH*)

[rschrum]

Redid this one a couple years ago. Totally sorted, struggled to get 4200 out of it. Above 60 mph would shake your fillings loose. 1978

[larrys]

Looks like a pretty original survivor. Taillight, handlebars, and mufflers aren't stock. I bought and sold a bunch of Bonnevilles and Tigers over a twenty year period. The best running and riding one was a '74. First full model year for the 750 five speed motor, and the front end with the disc brake. Last year for the proper side shifter and rear drum brake. Triumph did change the frame geometry for the 750 a bit in the seat area in response to the complaints about the OIF frames seat height.
Larry

[bodine99]

Those bikes are fine. Buy it and enjoy it. www.britbike.com packed with very knowledgeable folks. Those fuel taps with the white insert will crap out,better ones out there. I would add an external oil filter and small cooler. The benefit is more oil capacity to help it run cooler. Valvoline VR-1 good oil and easy to get. EBC HH pads big help for brakes. Do a full service along with a fork oil flush/change. Same with brake fluid. Plenty of tyre options also.  Many good parts vendors out there. Enjoy!!!

[flong]

I have experience with a '77 or '78 Triumph Tiger ( a Bonneville with one carb).  I totally rebuilt that bike- complete overhaul as well as paint - bought as a project.  Very easy to do by the way.  There are more parts available now than when that bike was new.  I'm amazed at the wealth of knowledge and parts available for the twins.  There are new electronic ignitions, wheel hubs, cables, Amal carbs, etc.  I also have a 1975 T160 Trident that I've ported and overhauled as a project years ago and I still have that bike.  I sold my Tiger a few years after buying it because of its biggest problem:  they vibrate badly - badly enough that the taillight bulb wouldn't just burn out but would actually shatter into a hundred glass pieces after a high rpm ride.  I've been considering buying another one and get a 180 degree crankshaft by Ed G (http://www.offsetcrank.com/).  To be honest, a sorted 750 Triumph twin without a lot of vibration would be a bike I would ride anywhere on a day ride.  (There is no reason one can't go further but day rides are all I do now).

Frank

[JJ]

Here is another..."Nice Old Triumph..."