Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Other Bikes Used Bonne as 2nd Bike

I just about hit 500 miles on my newly purchased '05 Speedmaster and I'm getting the itch to find a good used Bonne (circa late 60's or early '70's) as a fun 2nd ride. Now money IS an object...but how can you really put a price on happiness?? So, to that end, any thoughts on the ballpark cost of a good used and reliable (not show quality) Bonne these days? And once you get it, do the old timers need a lot of care and feeding (translation: Money Pit) to keep them runnning down the highway? Yeah, I know it depends on the overall shape of the bike but are even the good ones like a toddler in diapers?

Quote:

---

a good used and reliable (not show quality) Bonne these days?

---

Is there such a thing? The old ones need a lot of TLC to keep running. Sure, there are nice ones but most everyone I know with old Trumps is a good wrench, for a reason.

Roland,

There out there, my friend. For about 4-6 grand, you can pick up a fairly reliable and cosmetically very decent example, and for anything more than that figure, you should be able to buy a very pristine one. I wouldn't, if I were you, even consider one for less than that, as you'd be putting a lot of your money into it, in order to make it something you could appreciate and ride.

I suggest you look at at least half a dozen before you decide on a particular purchase.

There's usually a few in the "Cycle Trader" magazine(in the back) located in our local area(SO.CAL) and I'd pick up Walnecks's Classic Cycle magazine in order to get an idea of the price ranges. E-bay is also a good source, but with both Walneck's(which is national) and E-bay(the same, of course), you'd be looking at bikes that you really couldn't see personally, and I'd shy away from purchasing an older bike, especially, without first being able to ride or at least examine it closely.

Dwight

Thanks for the advice Dwight. Do you (or anyone) have any experience with BBC Triumph in Ventura CA? Seems they sell a fair amount of bikes and parts on eBay.

you're going to pay at least 4000 for a good running Triumph. buddy of mine just bought a 79 special bonnie from Baxter in Iowa for 4200. Nice bike.

i want to get a 78 or 79, but when i think about it, why not get a newer bonnie for a little more?

i rode my beezer this morning. still love riding it. went to the auto store to get some 50 weight racing oil this morning and the guy asked, "Is that a Honda?" "Nope," i said, "a BSA." He was too young to understand.

cat

baxter price list

I agree Cat. Friends of mine just bought a late 60's Bonnie at the big classic bike auction in Vegas. It's a nice bike in very good mechanical and cosmetic condition and they paid about $3600 for it.

That being said; it leaks both oil and gas from time to time, vibrates worse than a Harley, has questionable brakes, right-sided shifting and the electrics are always a crap-shoot. They only take it out occasionally and never more than 20-30 miles from home.

One of the guys above said "there's a reason everyone who has owned one of these for any length of time is a pretty good wrench". I think there's also a reason there are so many of them for sale everywhere; you can get pretty much the same riding experience with 1/10th the problems buying a new one.

I like to ride and I don't mind wrenching but I like them to be separate activities if at all possible.

Keith

Keith and cat,

Yeah, but I also am lucky enough to own both modern Triumphs and a beautiful '70 Bonnie custom Streettracker, and I can tell you that some of my most enjoyable rides are on that old piece of British Iron.(speaking of Brit Iron...thanks again Soren for the cool shirt...I should be receiving it, any day now)

The bike(knock on wood) has been very, very reliable, the past eight years of my ownership.

Even more than when I ride the BA, it gets so many admiring notices that I feel like a freakin' movie star just by association.(actually I usually feel like a cross between Steve McQueen and Gary Nixon(old champion Triumph factory racer of the '60s and '70s, for you kids out there) when I'm on the seat.

Nope, it's not a long-distance ultra reliable modern bike, but that's it's charm.

I rode it about 80-90 miles yesterday, up the Santa Monica Mountains to a little road-house known as the Rock Store,and back home, with not one wit of problems. Sundays are a zoo of almost every conceivable types of bikes that one could imagine converging haphazardly at one location. Gee....guess who's bike garnered the most attention?!

The collection or appreciation of older machinery is one of my passions, so I may be a little bias here, but it seems to me that the people that I find the most enjoyable and entertaining company are the types that are kindred to this love of history and historic artifacts, and that especially means bikes and cars.

I think Roland is ready to begin that journey of discovery, and leave behind the solitary and overriding thoughts of just convenience. Trust me, the little(okay...4-6 grand may not be little) monetary outlay that one expends is returned ten-fold in pleasure, knowledge and comradery if you find a well maintained example of the breed.

AND if you find that this just ain't your bag, you can almost always sell it for about as much as you paid for it, or often times more, as classics and collectables seldomly drop in value, unlike a brand new bike. Most bikes, with the exception of many Harleys are worth HALF their original price in five years time. In other words, find a GOOD classic and you've got yourself an investment.

Roland,
Nope, sorry. I'm not familar with Ventura's BBC Triumph. The Garage Company in Culver City owned by a very nice guy by the name of Yoshi is a good place start, and Cindy Rutherford's Century Motorcycles in San Pedro is also a store that harks back to the days of bike shops before the big-box superstore concepts. But, be aware that any REALLY NICE old Triumph in these two places, will also carry a premium price-tag too. Best to check, as I said earlier, "Cycle Trader" and keep your eyes open for the "ONE"!

Dwight

Dwight,
Once again thanks for your sound advice. Hope to meet you at the Rock store or through the Santa Monica canyon roads some Sunday.

Roland,
If you get an older one, you will spend money and time keeping it running. Triumphs and BSAs used to be called magical motorcycles because they would turn any ordinary man into a master mechanic in just a few months. I loved them anyway.
Triumph of Chattanooga sells the standard black Bonneville new for $6,333.00 out the door. I don't know if left coast dealers can match that due to shipping (Chattanooga is just a couple hours from Newnan, GA). But you can try. You may look on ebay for a Yamaha 650 (very vibratory, will numb your crotch quickly) or a newer Kawasaki W650 (looks just like an old BSA and suppose to handle like a dream). Hey, a Kawasaki 650KLR would be a great second bike - you can ride anywhere since it's dual purpose. Take off down the Baja Penninsula for a fun weekend. You can find a nice one for $1500-$3000. Good luck!
Ride Safe,
Dennis

Check out www.georgiacycledepot.com

Older triumphs are to much work for my blood. That's why I upgraded my '73 750 for a 04 tba. And when i drove to work I always smelled like oil/gas the rest of the day.

Now if you really want an interesting older 2nd bike triumph, how about these as found at a local shop?
http://www.domiracer.com/motorcycles.html

LS16042 1962 Triumph Tina Scooter
"This original, very rare machine is complete and turns over with compression. Its disassembled carburetor is not fitted and would have to be rebuilt. No title available. $2595"


H28403 1970 Triumph 1000cc 4 Cylinder
"A creation of Rod Coates (ex Triumph of Baltimore Service Manager), using 2-500cc Daytona engines as the starting point (they are "buckled" together in tandem). Has an electric starter and stock bodywork. No title available. $12,500"