1968 Triumph Bonneville
In 2007 I decided to sell off my 71 Vespa Rally 180 and by a proper vintage mount. I began by looking for a BSA as I always thought a rugged but rideable Lightning or Thunderbolt would be badass.
After discussing this with my father, he told me he had a friend who had what he thought to be a nice Triumph Bonneville that he was ready to sell. I called the owner and told him who I was and asked about the bike.
After discussing this with my father, he told me he had a friend who had what he thought to be a nice Triumph Bonneville that he was ready to sell. I called the owner and told him who I was and asked about the bike.
He had bought it to steal the motor for a flat track bike but after getting it he couldn't bring himself to part the motor from the frame. He never rode it much and because it was the only right-hand shifter in his fleet and he didn't ride it enough for the process to be natural.
I went to see it on a Sunday and brought my trailer. One look and I knew I was not leaving empty handed. As I said, I wanted a Beazer, but I was not walking away from an a well cared for 6800 mile Bonneville. Unlike most of my bikes, it even ran before I brought it home.
Called my buddy Paul to help me unload it and go for a spin. The tach needle broke on the first night; the speedometer followed a week later. I knew it was a perfect match!
I went to see it on a Sunday and brought my trailer. One look and I knew I was not leaving empty handed. As I said, I wanted a Beazer, but I was not walking away from an a well cared for 6800 mile Bonneville. Unlike most of my bikes, it even ran before I brought it home.
Called my buddy Paul to help me unload it and go for a spin. The tach needle broke on the first night; the speedometer followed a week later. I knew it was a perfect match!
1967 Triumph Bonneville
In the fall of 2008 I had happened upon a gentleman located near Northfield, MN who had the saddest Bonneville I had ever seen. It was his father's and his father wanted to sell it to buy a Japanese bike that ran. Turns out I had one of those so a deal was hatched. He got a titled and running Suzuki GS850; and I got the Triumph. It had been sitting in a barn since 1979 and had loose plugs and no valve caps. Obviously I enjoy a challenge.
After getting the 68 I had really wanted a british mount that was not so nice or original so I wouldn't feel bad modifying it to my tastes. This was the perfect piece for that as a restoration was completely cost prohibitive and out of the question. Honestly I think if anyone else had gotten it; we'd have seen all the bits on ebay.
The first thing I needed to do was take all the garbage off and get the motor out.
I finished rebuilding the motor in spring of 2009. I moved onto the frame during that summer. I haven't finished it, but I'm not in any real hurry. Look for it early this summer....
The first thing I needed to do was take all the garbage off and get the motor out.
I finished rebuilding the motor in spring of 2009. I moved onto the frame during that summer. I haven't finished it, but I'm not in any real hurry. Look for it early this summer....
