[Boone]

I've been looking into getting a motorcycle and like the classic looks of the bonneville by triumph. Does anyone on here ride one of these? I'm just looking for some input on how they ride and how you like it.

[FJ40_owner]

They ride nice but like all Brittish bikes have their issues.

They leak oil and tend to burn up pistons. Tuning them properly is crucial.

And having the shifter on the wrong side takes some getting used to.

[Jomama]

I assume you're talking about the new ones.

The new Triumphs are not the British bikes of old...


I know someone on Mud has a newer Thruxton with a sidecar he made. I've ridden a friends Bonneville 1x...
I'd start searching & reading threads at ADVrider (some bonnie and scrambler riders there) and maybe this site Triumph Forum: Triumph Rat Motorcycle Forums

[nat]

I helped my Dad with a 1974 Bonneville project. The bike is cherry, reliable and a shit load of fun.

He also has a new Triumph Tiger that is also a great bike.

The '74 is show quality now, it gets looks and comments everywhere it ends up. It has many custom touches and fabrication that I did.

[gmarshall7]

.....

[nat]

Here is the Bonneville.

Batteryless, electronic ignition, bobbed a little.

[gmarshall7]

nice. bet it sounds wicked with the short pipes.

[nat]

It is actually a 2 into 1, it does sound pretty bitchin.

[Boone]

Yeah i'm talking about a new one. I want to get into riding without spending a ton of money and the bonneville looks like a good choice. I am also considering the harley nightster but it is a little more coin.

[nat]

The custom electrical box I fabbed up. All the electrics are in there, including coil, makes for a sweet compact package.

Custom dash and gauges.

[koop]

I freaking love that bike nat.

[rabid]

I built a trident chop a little while back (Triumph 750 triple). It had sat in a barn for 15+ years. I rebuilt the carbs, new points and electronics, and damned if that thing did not fire every single time. Stock motor, 20K miles on it.

The new triumphs are very reliable bikes. The main sales guy at the harley shop up here rides a thruxton, so that should say something.

I dig the new bonnies, but if I were going for nostalgia (and the unreliability of a brit bike) I would go with the royal enfield. That and the 3K price difference.

[Gumby]

Originally Posted by rabid

The new triumphs are very reliable bikes. The main sales guy at the harley shop up here rides a thruxton, so that should say something.

It says to me that it's more reliable than a Harley and it's something that's more acceptable for management and the customers to see him to ride than a Jap bake.

The new Trumpets are fine motorcycles. Nothing wrong with them at all. The older ones are unadulterated garbage, but really good looking garbage. I would own one, but only because I already own a trailer.

[rabid]

my bike<Nat's bike. that thing is gorgeous.


Sold it last year, too fast, handled like hell with the +4 hardtail and straight bar. Fun to ride, though.

[rabid]

Originally Posted by Gumby

I would own one, but only because I already own a trailer.

Now that is funny.

[Rugster]

My 67 TR6 I bought from Sonny Jergensen... the QB.

[Red Herring]

Originally Posted by Boone

Yeah i'm talking about a new one. I want to get into riding without spending a ton of money and the bonneville looks like a good choice. I am also considering the harley nightster but it is a little more coin.

Good, reliable machine. Fun to ride. Classic looks.

[Gumby]

Originally Posted by Boone

Yeah i'm talking about a new one. I want to get into riding without spending a ton of money and the bonneville looks like a good choice. I am also considering the harley nightster but it is a little more coin.

$7900 vs $10,000

I would say a little more coin.

Get the Trumpet. You don't want to be just another sheeple on a Hardly.

[TheJackRabbit]

In a word

"Norton".

[Gumby]

Originally Posted by TheJackRabbit

In a word

"Norton".

I hear the new Dreer Norton is out of business alerady.

[IronYuppy]

Nat's bike is gorgeous. I even saved the pics and they occasionally make it onto my desktop. It's sort of like oggling his wife - he likes it.

This is my '72 Trident T150V. It's like a Bonneville, but with an extra cylinder spot-welded on. Oh, and a 5-speed. Nothing special about it except it's all original and has 10,000 miles, and receipts for every little thing dating back to early 1974. Engineer-owned, and you know what they're like - the fender bolts are all eight grade.

Haven't had a chance to ride it yet - just got it.

[Jman]

Originally Posted by IronYuppy

Nat's bike is gorgeous. I even saved the pics and they occasionally make it onto my desktop. It's sort of like oggling his wife - he likes it.

This is my '72 Trident T150V. It's like a Bonneville, but with an extra cylinder spot-welded on. Oh, and a 5-speed. Nothing special about it except it's all original and has 10,000 miles, and receipts for every little thing dating back to early 1974. Engineer-owned, and you know what they're like - the fender bolts are all eight grade.

Haven't had a chance to ride it yet - just got it.

Looks like those fender bolts failed, actually.

[IronYuppy]

Originally Posted by Jman

Looks like those fender bolts failed, actually.

Naw, the bolts are still fine.

[Jman]

Originally Posted by IronYuppy

Naw, the bolts are still fine.

Then what's up with that front fender?

[IronYuppy]

Originally Posted by Jman

Then what's up with that front fender?

It's not attached; it's just sitting there. The front forks are off now - it's getting all new yoke grommets and fork seals.

Funny you noticed that but didn't say anything about the complete absence of exhaust pipes or carbs...

[Jman]

Originally Posted by IronYuppy

It's not attached; it's just sitting there. The front forks are off now - it's getting all new yoke grommets and fork seals.

Funny you noticed that but didn't say anything about the complete absence of exhaust pipes or carbs...

That's because you didn't mention anything about grade 8 hardware on those items. Had you done that, I'd have made a joke about that.

How much work are you going to do do that bike? How hard is it to source parts?

[IronYuppy]

Originally Posted by Jman

That's because you didn't mention anything about grade 8 hardware on those items. Had you done that, I'd have made a joke about that.

How much work are you going to do do that bike? How hard is it to source parts?

It's pretty much done - at least as far as any 37 year old British bike is ever "done". There are a few grommets and bushings still to do in the front forks, and new tires (they're in my living room right now and smell GREAT). That's it for now. Anything else is strictly cosmetic (it's missing the "Trident" name plates, one foot-peg is a bit bent, and one signal lens is cracked).

Parts are pretty easy. With the exception of a few engine components, it's the same a s a Bonneville or Tiger. Almost everything that's not directly related to the extra cylinder is swapable with a Bonnie, and those parts are easily sourced.

To be honest I will probably flip this bike. I got it for a price way below its value, and I would rather have a pre-70 Tiger 650 or Bonneville, just for aesthetic reasons. Also, this is somewhat more rare in a 5-speed with matching numbers and 100% stock, so it's more collectible than any bike I want to own. If I own a less collectible bike I won't worry about "spoiling" it by switching to disc brakes, electronic ignition, etc.

Or copying Nat

[Jman]

I would have a hard time selling a bike I put a lot of work into, even if I could get some serious coin for it.

[valentine]

Originally Posted by Jman

I would have a hard time selling a bike I put a lot of work into, even if I could get some serious coin for it.

Isn't that what you are considering doing with the CT?

[Jman]

Originally Posted by valentine

Isn't that what you are considering doing with the CT?

What the hell gave you the idea I was actually going to sell it?