78 Triumph Bonneville , opinions?

[bigbikerrick]

Hello Folks , I ran into this add in our local Craigslist, and this bike caught my eye. To me, It seems cheap at $4K for a sweet looking Bonnie, but I dont know jack about these bikes. What do you guys think? Would that be a fun bike to own and ride, like an old Guzzi, or would it be a total PITA. to keep it on the road running good. I have been thinking about adding another old bike to the stable, something interesting, and" different", I was thinking of an old airhead, or old Brit Bike. Would this be a good choice?
Thanks Rick.


http://sierravista.craigslist.org/mcy/5281637556.html

[oldbike54]

 Here we go again  Buy an airhead , maybe not as cool , but it won't be nearly as frustrating to own . For years those Brits were my ride of choice , being stubborn and all , but after 20 years of owning both , the old beemers are just a better bike. Of course the next poster will say exactly the opposite 

  Dusty

[Peter from Sch'dy]

got Whitworth?

Best,
Peter

[oldbike54]

got Whitworth?

Best,
Peter

 

 To be pedantic , by '78 the bikes were all SAE .

  Dusty

[nc43bsa]

FTW, the first year of LH shift Triumphs was 1975, not 1978.

From the pictures, it's very nice, but from my recent experience, nice looking Brit bikes are sometimes not assembled very well.  As in, hurriedly and loosely screwed together to look good.

If you're interested, I'd advise you to either ride it thoroughly or ask someone without an interest in the bike to do it for you.

edit:  Oh, and around here, $4k for that bike would be quite reasonable.

[Peter from Sch'dy]

 

 To be pedantic , by '78 the bikes were all SAE .

  Dusty

Thanks! When did they change?

Best,
Peter

[oldbike54]

Thanks! When did they change?

Best,
Peter

 Gradually starting in 1968 , at least the '67 model I owned was all Whitworth , and my '68 was a mix of both . YMMV , this is the English we are talking about here 

  Dusty

[bigbikerrick]

got Whitworth?

Best,
Peter

Whitworth......Man I had forgotten about those from my MGB days! I think I still have some spanners in the bottom drawer of my toolbox....and they probably still have dried blood on them from my knuckles circa 1973 !   
Rick

[clubman]

If you're trying to decide on any classic bike, question #1 is always "parts availability?" The BMW airheads are great bikes, but parts are more expensive and for some models there can be availability problems (owned 5 of them). Any Triumph from about '55 on has excellent multi source parts availability (much better than any Guzzi-even the one you bought yesterday) and very reasonable prices, much better than current models. All of the Triumphs handle better and are slightly faster. All of the Triumphs require much more maintenance. They're easy to work on, and you will be working on them. How handy are you? On average a well set up airhead will go further with less wrenching, albeit a little slower.
About 1/3 of the way thru a total Velocette resto. I don't think I'll do another one. My hands look like Alpo.

[RayB]

For 4k you could buy a good 80s 800cc or 1000cc airhead that could actually go places on. BMW parts support is avtually pretty good. I've had brit bikes before and they are fun..but I got tired of the money pits. Always heard the BMWs were better and for the last 15 years I know why.
As mentioned above, the triumphs were so simple to work on that a lot of cavemen "rebuilt" them and ruined some.

[rocker59]

Buy it.  Tinker with it.  Enjoy it.

I've always loved those bikes.  If it's as nice as it seems to be, it should be a nice local ride.

[oldbike54]

For 4k you could buy a good 80s 800cc or 1000cc airhead that could actually go places on. BMW parts support is avtually pretty good. I've had brit bikes before and they are fun..but I got tired of the money pits. Always heard the BMWs were better and for the last 15 years I know why.
As mentioned above, the triumphs were so simple to work on that a lot of cavemen "rebuilt" them and ruined some.

 Yep , I used a '5 R60 as a daily rider and touring bike for ten years , just retired last Apr . Any part , and it never needed many , was readily available . My reference point is this , rode those Triumphs when they were new , and they require almost constant maintenance , and don't ever let someone tell you they are simple devices , the utilize more spacers , shims , and dooflickies to work than any five MGs or beemers . Ask my buddy CJ 750 about his T150 

  Dusty

[Lannis]

Buy it.  Tinker with it.  Enjoy it.

I've always loved those bikes.  If it's as nice as it seems to be, it should be a nice local ride.

I agree.   I know quite a few guys that have pretty high mileage on the '78 and '79 models.

I have 3 BSAs from 1955 to 1969 ... if anything, these take more work to stay on the road than a late-model Triumph, and it's not really that bad.   I ride my '61 650 from Virginia to Ohio and back to rallies twice a year, and it runs just fine.   I wouldn't hesitate to take off for Florida on a well-maintained '78 Triumph.

I'm not saying that an airhead Beemer wouldn't have longer maintenance intervals, but if you want a Brit 650 (or 750), a Teutonic Twin just won't do ....

Lannis

[steven c]

 Wonderful bikes on a country back road. An aside on British bikes 10 years ago a friend of mine rode his 75 Norton Interstate to Mid Ohio Vintage days form CT while he was there people ask him where his trailer was and they didn't believe him when he told them that he rode it from Connecticut . And yes he did make it back.He also loves telling how in the 70's he rode down south on his BSA Rocket 3 with a friend on a BMW and the BMW came home in a truck.

[Rough Edge racing]

 I've been riding and working on Triumphs for over 40 years.I  I race Triumphs but my street bike rider isn't a Triumph any longer.
 They are easy to work on and have an aftermarket only second to Harley.....If the bike is in good shape and you ride it within it's design limits ( sporting back road riding and cruising around town )you will reap the rewards of a antique torquey engine , crisp handling that needs to be experienced at the limit ,60 mpg and light weight. Maintenance is simple... Kick starting is good for the soul....You may find the stiff ride and vibration a serious drawback...It will leak some oil and when hot the engine makes all sorts or ticking clacking sounds.The original electrical can be a problem at times until sorted properly.If you're patient and don't take things too seriously you will enjoy it...Like your own time machine....

[guzzista]

I've been riding and working on Triumphs for over 40 years.I  I race Triumphs but my street bike rider isn't a Triumph any longer.
 They are easy to work on and have an aftermarket only second to Harley.....If the bike is in good shape and you ride it within it's design limits ( sporting back road riding and cruising around town )you will reap the rewards of a antique torquey engine , crisp handling that needs to be experienced at the limit ,60 mpg and light weight. Maintenance is simple... Kick starting is good for the soul....You may find the stiff ride and vibration a serious drawback...It will leak some oil and when hot the engine makes all sorts or ticking clacking sounds.The original electrical can be a problem at times until sorted properly.If you're patient and don't take things too seriously you will enjoy it...Like your own time machine....

    Whats not to love about a T140? RER , so eloquently put. The price is right too, IMHO

[guzzista]

No argument there, Dusty. The Meriden Triumphs I owned were by far the most fiddlef**k inducing bikes , but I have a soft spot for them, even , though, like you , I dont own one a this point in life

[oldbike54]

No argument there, Dusty. The Meriden Triumphs I owned were by far the most fiddlef**k inducing bikes , but I have a soft spot for them, even , though, like you , I dont own one a this point in life

 Oh yeah , I still have that soft spot also , until going to work on my fiend's T140 , that I sold him 25 years ago , or my other friend's T150 , then it only takes about 10 minutes to remember why one no longer lives in the garage  A couple of years back we replaced the entire triple row primary drive , countershaft sprocket , and clutch basket on the '77 T140 , probably a good thing I will be dead before it needs that again 

  Dusty

[cruzziguzzi]

I had a brand new '78, though it might have been a '79 since it was really, really left over in 1980.

Generally, I was quite happy with it aside from electrics. Even if the charge flowed, often times its destination parted ways with the bike.

Induction leaks were a huge problem but easily ID'd and dealt with considering all the practice I got.

While the headlight sucked - it didn't matter much as I seldom rode it at night after forgetting my tool kit roadside one evening down Big Sur.

The funky, bulbous hand grips were weird but I got over it since they rotted in about 6 months.

But the real flaw was a goof like me buying it and thinking of it as transportation rather than a hobby. A lesson I had to re-learn (profoundly unsuccessfully) with a Comando, TR6 both ways - two and four wheel - and most recently with a Land Rover.

Damn things get under your skin and you become a human excuse generator fueled by accommodation and forbearance.

Or, you just hate, and I get that too.

These days, as I look through any given copy "Classic Bike" U.K.  - and note the many ways to attend to Brit-Bike failings - I fantasize about a re-visit. Scars get thick enough and you stop feeling the burner.

I'd have a "Silver Jubilee" from earlier in the year but a pal just offered too much for it. Sometimes, getting throw from the briar patch is good too.

Todd.

[mgmark]

I owned and rode a '77 Bonneville for a while. It reminded me of when I first started riding street bikes, just pure fun. Not fast fun but quick enough and handled well. I geared it as tall as I could to get the cruising speed up before the vibration hit. Looks good, great fun to ride, simple to keep on the road. Just pure motorcycle riding enjoyment.

Mark

[Tobit]

Here's a '66 near Memphis.

http://memphis.craigslist.org/mcy/5284489268.html

Tobit

[Kiwi all]

My main ride is a 1971 bonneville, it' was a 650 but after snapping a con rod it is now a 750 (used an Aerco big bore kit) and it was already a 5 speed.
I love the bike and ride it everywhere. I do around 15000 miles a year.After a lifetime of owning triumphs they do require talc but once sorted are an absolute fun machine.
They are not a ride and forget motorcycle. I go over mine every Friday evening checking and tightening before a weekend of riding.

[tris]

Gradually starting in 1968 , at least the '67 model I owned was all Whitworth , and my '68 was a mix of both . YMMV , this is the English we are talking about here 

  Dusty

Now Now - no stereotyping 

However its that sort of stupidity and arrogance that caused the fiery downfall of Triumph (and the rest of the british motorcycle industry) until John Bloor came along in the 90s

[Xlratr]

Go for it! Looks really nice and the price seems reasonable (it would cost more than that here). It'll be a great experience and of you don't like it you can sell it.
John

[molly]

I was talking to a old chap in the pub a couple of days ago. He was a ex-submariner who when not floating under the Arctic ice cap rode around on Triumph 70's twins. He said he only crashed once, when leaving Portsmouth naval base after a long sea trip. He had in a rush put all the tools he always carried for the constant breakdowns in one pannier by mistake. The bike was so unbalanced he crashed into the guard hut at the exit to the base. Happy days.

[Rough Edge racing]

 Just bring them 70's 750 Triumphs to me...A change of cam timing wakes those engines right up...

[molly]

Now Now - no stereotyping 

However its that sort of stupidity and arrogance that caused the fiery downfall of Triumph (and the rest of the british motorcycle industry) until John Bloor came along in the 90s

The stupidity and arrogance was all on the part of the factories themselves. They like a lot of British  firms at that time were badly run and dominated by the unions. It was a relieve when they stopped making outdated poorly built machines that were only being bought by diehards who wouldn't accept the Japanese made a far superior bike.

[Rough Edge racing]

The stupidity and arrogance was all on the part of the factories themselves. They like a lot of British  firms at that time were badly run and dominated by the unions. It was a relieve when they stopped making outdated poorly built machines that were only being bought by diehards who wouldn't accept the Japanese made a far superior bike.

The early Japanese big bore bikes were more reliable and better engineered in that respect....But they were not better motorcycles for the sport rider...

[arveno]

 make your own experience , buy it and then if/when you get tired , sell it and get a beemer.

easy.

[blackcat]

Buy it. Tell him to not warm up the bike before you get there so you know exactly how hard it is to start.