 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3
Complete Newb
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OP
Complete Newb
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3 |
Hello I have a 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc. It's stock and runs great. I want to turn this bike into a Bobber. I'm in San Jose, CA USA and I am having a bit of trouble in finding shops to help create my monster. Can anyone recommend a shop to me? Thanks Rich
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643 |
These old Triumphs are fetching silly money in the UK, I don't know about the US. Personally if its in good shape I would keep it standard. Sorry I did not answer your question, but I am sure you will get a few replies..
Ray(UK)
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,236 Likes: 63
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,236 Likes: 63 |
A bone stock bike is worth way more than one that has been customized in most cases. 71 is first year for OIF making it somewhat less desirable but still very collectable. The 70 on back bikes are more popular but not making the 71 and up worthless. Best way to turn an OIF bike into a bobber is to buy a custome frame and swap out the engine or get a 63 to 70 frame and start with that. Maybe a bolt on hardtail to go with it.I have seen frame and frame sections on Ebay fairly cheap. If you want a hardtail you may pick up a 63 to 70 front section fairly cheap. A word of advise on the hardtail, weld it on.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 482
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 482 |
I'd only bob a rebuild, one that's been wrecked. If its stock, leave it that way. Why cut on something after 38 years?
George
Freelance Observer
07 BA with 605's, engine dresser bars, and cheap saddle bags.
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 531
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 531 |
check out Jockey Journal.com You will find tons of info over there. Dog has the right idea. Just don't say you "want to turn it into a bobber." The root of the word,"bob" is a verb, how we have turned it into a noun is puzzling. But that's another argument for another day. I would def. check out jockeyjournal. Or I'll trade you some guitars for it an we can forget all of this.
pain is temporary, pride is forever.
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726 |
I guess if the root word is a verb, then you can say it's a bobbered bike. 
Bob
2005 America, 904cc - sold. 2014 Trophy SE.
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 531
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 531 |
Quote:
I'd only bob a rebuild, one that's been wrecked. If its stock, leave it that way. Why cut on something after 38 years?
You serious? Some of the sickest triumphs out there have been cut up.
pain is temporary, pride is forever.
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,099
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,099 |
Please do not ruin this motorcycle.
Thanks,
Uncle Charlie
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3
Complete Newb
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OP
Complete Newb
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3 |
hahaha thanxs guys all your replies are great i love the feed back. I was given this bike form my father who now has a 2007 street glide. I'm 27 years old and really digging the "bob" look. I'm not looking to sell the Bonneville for top dollar cuz my dad gave it to me and i would feel pretty bad getting rid of it.
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,099
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,099 |
I'd feel bad if you cut it up!
Find a basket case and get a frame if you want a bobber.
Uncle Charlie
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537 |
Go bolt on hardtail if you have to. Don't cut anything you can't put back to stock. The Jockey Journal will give you a lot of help/advice/parts but be forewarned, it's a tough crowd. Quote:
hahaha thanxs guys all your replies are great i love the feed back. I was given this bike form my father who now has a 2007 street glide. I'm 27 years old and really digging the "bob" look. I'm not looking to sell the Bonneville for top dollar cuz my dad gave it to me and i would feel pretty bad getting rid of it.
Al
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 531
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 531 |
"tough crowd" you're being nice. Be a forward thinker and do what you really want. If I were given one I would do the same. What are you supposed to do, hang on to it for another 20years and sell it as all origianl. By then it wont be original if you ride it. Hey, it's your bike, remember that. No one has to ride it but you. I would love to see what you eventually wind up doing with it. Check out acmechoppers for a frame or choppa something or other in Mass. I can't think of their name right now. Good luck.
pain is temporary, pride is forever.
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,236 Likes: 63
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,236 Likes: 63 |
The way I suggested would be completely reversible if you kept the stock frame and sheet metal. All he would be doing is pulling the engine and putting it into another frame. Best way really since oil tank frames work much better for a "bobbed" bike or a chopper. Depending how he goes about it it isn't expensive either.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,647
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,647 |
Quote:
Check out acmechoppers for a frame or choppa something or other in Mass. I can't think of their name right now. Good luck.
Choppahead
06 America 904
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,731 Likes: 6
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,731 Likes: 6 |
Lowbrow Customs has some chopper/bobber Triumph frames, too
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 280
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 280 |
I'm with the preservation crowd. Old Triumphs are a thing of beauty and should stay original, especially if you've got a nice old survivor. Just my two cents worth.
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 482
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 482 |
Quote:
Quote:
I'd only bob a rebuild, one that's been wrecked. If its stock, leave it that way. Why cut on something after 38 years?
You serious? Some of the sickest triumphs out there have been cut up.
Agreed... This is what my friend did to his...
George
Freelance Observer
07 BA with 605's, engine dresser bars, and cheap saddle bags.
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 226
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 226 |
chop chop grind grind weld weld. ah thats better 
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537 |
Uh, good point. No bolt-on hardtails for an OIF bike. Quote:
chop chop grind grind weld weld. ah thats better
Al
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Well Young Richard, I'm about to give you my standard reply when it comes to custom Triumphs.
There is NOTHING on God's Green Earth that is COOLER than a Triumph STREETTRACKER!!! NADA...ZIP....ZILCH....NOTHIN'!!!!
Nope, not a Bobber, nor a Cafe Racer, nor especially a Chopper.
And seeing as how you have the first year of the oil-in-frame Triumphs, a frame design that reflects the Trackmaster O-I-F FLATTRACK RACERS of the late 1960s, and seeing as how you really feel like you want to customize this baby...well then young man...as I said in my opening sentence here..MAKE A BEAUTIFUL STREETTRACKER OUT OF IT...'cause, as I ALSO said...THERE'S NOTHIN' COOLER THAN A FRICKIN STREETTRACKER, dude!!!!
(AND it'll handle better and overall be more fun to ride than any of those alternatives too)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537 |
Quote:
Well Young Richard, I'm about to give you my standard reply when it comes to custom Triumphs.
There is NOTHING on God's Green Earth that is COOLER than a Triumph STREETTRACKER!!! NADA...ZIP....ZILCH....NOTHIN'!!!!
Nope, not a Bobber, nor a Cafe Racer, nor especially a Chopper.........(AND it'll handle better and overall be more fun to ride than any of those alternatives too)
Nah, I wouldn't waste any time building something as ugly as these...
[image]http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c75/steve000/TRITRKR10247.jpg[/image]
[image]http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1412/6904263/16655998/308907675.jpg[/image]
[image]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3047/2688814621_eeae90967d.jpg?v=0[/image]
Last edited by ssjones; 01/18/2009 5:48 PM.
Al
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Last edited by FriarJohn; 01/18/2009 6:35 PM.
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 280
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 280 |
Okay, I've got to agree with Dwight, the street trackers are very cool! Somewhere in these forums I've seen a picture of Dwights bike and it does make me drool...just a little...not so much you,d notice. 
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,236 Likes: 63
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,236 Likes: 63 |
My 58 is a street tracker (actually used on a flat track at one point.) Cool look. Don't like the ones ssjones linked to though. I do like Dwights street tracker though. I like bobbers and choppers better though.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,236 Likes: 63
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,236 Likes: 63 |
Check out that finned point cover! That's 5hp. 
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
We tease The Dwightâ„¢ but his hospitality is second to none.
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,236 Likes: 63
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,236 Likes: 63 |
He teases us too so it's all good and taken in good fun.Just like when I needle you John it's not meant with any malice, well most of the time.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,284
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,284 |
Here are a couple older Bonnies I built a few years back. The orange (Tangerine Pearl)one is a hardtail I welded on an "oil in frame" "72 Bonnie. As a bunch of guy's here have said, I started with a bike that had already been chopped up. Talk to your dad. Maybe he always wanted to chop it. http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f110/chopperpaul/P1010093.jpg
Strangler
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 90
Member
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Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 90 |
Quote:
Dwight's bike is pretty sweet. Too bad his disposition doesn't match.  
Where is this garage and where can I get one? A Porshe in the driveway, an oldy goldy, and looking at the tail light, a new(er) Speedy/America. My garage only consists of broken down pickups and an '06 America.
Dormaar
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
As far as the tail light in the garage, that's my '02 TBA. As far as the street tracker, I can provide a map if the price is right... 
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,839 Likes: 3
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,839 Likes: 3 |
dont feel bad, i have a 72 that i keep talking about bobbing and everyone (family) tells me to leave it. i dont ride her anymore and if i was to bob her i would. as it is i have no reason to ride her anymore since getting my America.
ENJOY!!!!! NEWT!!!!!
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
Check out that finned point cover! That's 5hp.
CLOSE, Ian! The dyno said that those fins on that point cover alone gave me SIX extra ponies right there!!!   
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,236 Likes: 63
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,236 Likes: 63 |
I have the same one on my 66 TR6C.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
I don't see a pic of that TR6C anywhere on your photobucket page, Ian.
Show us all one here, will ya sir?! I know I'd like to see it!
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,236 Likes: 63
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,236 Likes: 63 |
The red chopper is the TR6C.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Ahh...the Chopper!
Yep. That's a single-carb TR6 engine, alright!
(BTW, what kind of carb are you runnin' there, anyway?)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,236 Likes: 63
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,236 Likes: 63 |
All my old Triumphs run the Amals. I like them, all concentric except my 54 that has a Mono-block on it.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537 |
I forgot about Chopper Pauls machines and Dwights beauty. Either way is primo in my book! I can't see Dog's, where is that link?
Uh, found it - right in his signature. I love that 70's look!
[image]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg170/The_Dog33/reallygoodshotofmychopper.jpg?t=1232413198[/image]
Last edited by ssjones; 01/19/2009 9:01 PM.
Al
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Re: 1971 Triumph Bonneville 650cc
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537 |
 That looks very much like what I started with (but built a whole lot better no doubt...)Interestingly, they are both TR6's (mine has a Bonnie head)  And after Snekepte's friend put a whole lot of work into it: 
Al
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