78 Triumph Bonneville , opinions?

[Lannis]

Interesting... dispute riding Brit bikes with balancing by well know experts and electronic ignitions, none of them were as smooth as the 85 Guzzi Cali bobber at 70 mph...
 It's not the bars or foot pegs but vibration that seems coming from the seat that blurrs my vision. I tried all sorts of cushioning and devices but nothing really helped. 10 years back I though maybe I had some sort of vision issue and stop riding for 6 years....Now I ride a Guzzi , Buell ( at low speeds the Buell does blurr vision a bit) or modern Japanese sport bike and no vision problem. ....Maybe years of thrashing hot rod Triumphs has reduced my tolerance of vibration . 
 Maybe I need to ride one of your Brit bikes......Or stand on the pegs all the time...

I don't let vibration come through the seat ... I have a gel pad that I upholstered into the Firebird seat foam, and I use an Airhawk on top of the horsehair-stuffed plank that passed for a seat on a 1961 BSA, which knocks out any vibration there ....

I'm not comparing the utility or reliability of an old Brit to anyone's Japanese bike, but I know people with six-figure mileage on British twins.    Just takes some mechanical sympathy.

Lannis

[Rough Edge racing]

 I hear you but I tried the expensive gel pad into the foam, more foam,sheep skin and it all helped, but I didn't like the look of a plumped up seat and the vibes still got to me.... I really like old Triumphs, working on them is a pleasure...My rider claims I have a mental connection with the race bike....My shop is not complete without a Brit bike....But I ride an old rowdy Buell now and like it alot better....

[Jim Rich]

That is a good looking 78 T140.  That was my first bike, I had one with the copper colored horns on the tank instead of the red.  I really enjoyed that bike and rode it for years.  I would not buy one as a primary ride, but as a classic bike it would be fun.  It did teach me a lot about bike maintenance but it was a joy when on the road.

[KJ464]

Rode my 1977 Bonnie to work today and I love that bike.  My bike is very reliable and fun to ride below 70 mph.  I agree with most of what others have commented on and the electrical system has caused what few problems that have occurred.  I also have a 1982 BMW R100RS and it is a great bike but it is more of a touring bike so maybe not the best comparison.  The BMW also has had some electrical/electronic problems but I upgraded to modern components and it in now back to normal.  In my case, these bikes fill different niches and i enjoy both of them.