Triumph Bonneville

[RightGuard]

Hi guys,

I am seriously considering re-living my youth by buying a old English bike.

I used to have a Norton Commando mk3 and a few yamahas in the late seventys.

I remember always wanting a Triumph Bonneville because they are so ace and they define classic english biking.

Now that I have some money saved up I am considering buying one, but the big decision:

1970's Bonneville 795cc for £3500~

or

2012 Modern Classic Bonneville 900cc for £6200

I am put off by the 2012 model because (say all you want) basically all of it is built in Thailand, and even though it would be the more reliable and more powerful out of the two, I think I would not feel the Bonnie experience.

Would like some opinions on the bike and which one i should go for.

Kind regards,

Chris

 

[Focus Owner]

old if new is an import

 

[pooroldcodger]

I don't know anything about bikes other than the famous names you mention. Just wanted to say, for God's sake be careful once you get it !

 

[dave]

has to be 1970's, new and you will just be a plastic biker

 

[Shadeyman]

There's only one choice IMO.

The 1970's Bonneville 795cc for £3500

Buy a drip tray on your way back.

 

[Venters]

Sod the 70's

 

[ThisBitterPill]

The only true Bonneville is the 650cc one..... :yum:

My Dad had one in the sixties when he was a quiff-topped rocker.....

 

[RightGuard]

Thanks for the interest guys,

I think I will just go for any one before 2002, as I think that is roughly the year when they started the imports.

I do agree, you will get the full on Bonneville experience with a 70's one, and it is cheaper, but if I buy it then I am falling into a trap of electrical nightmares LOL.

My son goes to school with a boy who's dad has a 1968 Bonnie which he restored, I am yet to see it though.

Kind regards,

Chris

 

[maddogmorg]

Get a proper Triumph, a GT6 or a Stag

 

[pooroldcodger]

Or a Herald!

 

[udtrev]

Or an Acclaim

 

[The Beard]

There's another aspect to be considered here, namely depreciation. The new one will and the classic won't, not to put too fine a point on it. With Lucas Rita, or similar electronic ignition and a rewire then most of the electrical gremlins should be banished.

There are plenty of specialists and owners' clubs which may well be better than the dealers.

You got to go for the 650/750 from the '60s or '70s. Personally I was always a triple fan myself although although I really fancied a Trident I fell for the charms of stinkwheels instead sticking with the big K.

Once you've got it why not have a wobble up (or down) towards my neck of the woods and we can scare the bejasus out of ourselves together......slowly.

 

[The Beard]

Sod the 70's

Ah, the Aerial Leader. I was talking to my Dad the other day about old British bikes and he went all quiet, started shaking and hid behind the settee. Those were the days.

 

[Venters]

It's an Arrow, specced up to golden.

 

[ThisBitterPill]

Some of the stories my Dad tells me make me think he's lucky to be here!

Like when he was outside the chippy while my uncle was getting fish and chips for the whole family and one of his friends rips past on his AJS 7R (the only bike in the area faster than his Bonnie) and his girlfriend on the back gives 'em the two fingers....Well at that moment my uncle comes out of the chippy and my Dad tells him to jump on and they chase his mate and end up doing nearly a ton , holding onto their supper, all the while wearing shorts and t shirts! (no helmets back then!)

That and the street racing at the ACE cafe.....Last one back buys the teas!

Crazy times!

 

[The Beard]

It's an Arrow, specced up to golden.

You're probably right. Most of the British motorcycle industry had, or was disappearing by the time I got into bikes.

One I always remember was a Velocette that (the old) City of Manchester Police used to use which for some reason was maroon in colour. The Cops (Bobbies) used to wear a black overcoat and the only concession to high visibility was the white helmet and white gauntlets used for point duty.

TBP: My Dad had various bikes from the early '50s to about 1960 one of which he saw outside a garage in Strangeways in Manchester while walking home in about 1956. He went in and asked whether it was for sale, which it was and a deal was done, about £50 sealed it. It was a Royal Enfield V twin of about 1000cc; the hand gear change dated it to just pre-war or post-war. When he bought it he was told top (3rd) gear was faulty and couldn't be selected. He said that was a good thing as it scared the cr*p out of him with its speed.....and lack of brakes.

He replaced that with a BSA 650 and sidecar combination as I'd made an appearance by then and this was followed by an Isetta Bubble Car which saw him embarking on 50 year, so far, journey of motor car ownership.

As a reflection of how tight money was, for my Mother's birthday he bought her a tyre for the BSA and the for their first wedding anniversary a new battery.

 

[ThisBitterPill]

He said that was a good thing as it scared the cr*p out of him with its speed.....and lack of brakes..

Haha! Sounds about right....My Dad said he had to stand up on the footbrake many a time to get his Bonneville to stop!

As a reflection of how tight money was, for my Mother's birthday he bought her a tyre for the BSA and the for their first wedding anniversary a new battery.

That's true love for you!