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Need advice between a 2001 & 2002 bonni

6K views 58 replies 16 participants last post by  sonicboom 
#1 ·
I am trying to decide between 2001 bonneville @ $3900 and a 2002 t100 @ $4000. The 2001 has 10k miles and the 2002 has 7k.
Some of the difficulty is that the 2001 has a tach, fork boots, and a different seat and I'm wondering if the front was replaced because of an accident. The current owner has no history on the bike.
The 2002 has sat for 4 years. It started but ran rough so I figure the carbs need cleaning ( how much would that cost?). Also, when the bike first started I saw smoke blow out from the front of the cylinders. I didn see anything after that but could the head gasket be bad? How much for that repair? Also, I dont care for the exhaust pipes but he says he has the originals. How much will that change cost?
I'll post the 2002 picture and then try to get the 2001 up but I seem to only be able to post one pic per post.
Thanks for the help.
 

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#3 ·
The 2001 is quite rare, it Has according to rumor a higher performance cam and the connections on the head for the oil cooler are different to later years. Might be a good long term investment, if that matters.

Smoke may just have been corrosion inhibitor or WD40 used to stop corrosion on a bike that hasn't had much use.
Bonnevilles arn't noted for oil use or burning oil, they normally last petty well.

From the photos they seem to be well looked after.

I would probably go for the 2001 for the rarity of the 1st year model alone.
 
#4 ·
The 2002 T100 in the picture is a Lucifer Orange and Silver Centennial model, if built before end of March 2002 it is quite rare, rarer in numbers built than the later 2009 and other limited editions. Having said that they are not necessarily worth any more but would be mechanically the same as the 2001 but much more of a conversation piece.
 
#6 ·
Things to consider on all pre 05s and some beyond:
Started idler gear boss
Coils, igniter, hall sensor (pickup coil)
Spokes failing.
Also with such low miles I suspect the carbs may soon require attention. The rumoured "cams" were the first few years 790s. Both good bikes but personally I'd get an EFI for that money, long term investmentwill be long , long term for sure before they come into their own. Sold mine years ago in London, a friend here sold an 01 green one with all the bells even a tach conversion $3500 was all he could get, another old guy here has an 01 red/silver that will go for $3000 aprox. .
 
#7 · (Edited)
Things to consider on all pre 05s and some beyond:
Started idler gear boss
Coils, igniter, hall sensor (pickup coil)
Spokes failing.
Starter idler boss can be reinforced permanently for a bit more than $100, a clutch cover gasket, and an afternoon's work, as long as it hasn't failed yet--and the bike won't go anywhere if it has failed--with the TTP "Start-Safe" reinforcer. This leaves it much more robust than Triumph's later reinforcement of this area. Not a problem.

Coils, igniter, pickup coil. They work or they don't. There's nothing about them that makes the older ones worse. FWIW, my original 2005 ignition coil failed a week ago. That's twelve seasons and 32,000+ miles on it.

Spokes. At one point there was a lot of talk of breaking spokes. Triumph did eventually change the rear hub, but it's not a frequent issue. It's prudent to keep an eye on them.

Smoke from the top of the motor could be from oil seeping from the cam cover gasket, which happens to most of these bikes and is easily fixed. Have a look.

I think that both of them are overpriced. If I had to choose, I'd take the 2002, and I'd install the TTP Safe-Start at the next oil change for peace of mind. The early models had a nuisance clutch chatter problem that might have been fixed by 2002. The difference in mileage between the two of them is irrelevant.

Of course, you'll need to plan on doing some serious maintenance: Flush brake fluid, check brake pads, replace battery and tires, clean carburetors, etc. Look for cracked rubber at the carburetor intakes, you'll need to deal with that if they're not in good condition.
 
#8 ·
What is the starter idler boss? -Starter idler boss can be reinforced permanently for a bit more than $100, a clutch cover gasket, and an afternoon's work, as long as it hasn't failed yet-
How does one know it is a problem BEFORE it fails?

Thanks for all the experienced knowledge and advice.
 
#10 ·
No cost to change the exhaust, just a few minutes of wrenching if he has all the original pipes and parts.
I like the paint scheme on the 02 better than the 01. The other bits you mention can all be added if really desired. I would pick the one that appeals to you the most, they are both essentially the same bike (mechanically) and age wise.
 
#11 ·
For collector value might be interesting to know if the 2002 were "pre-fire" or "post-fire". Assume that would mean produced prior to March, 2002 vs after September, 2002...
 
#12 ·
I seem to keep coming across bonnevilles that don't look the way they should but everyone saying they didn't change anything. The 2001 looks like a 2003 ( forts, tank, tach ).
I just came across this 2005 from a dealer who also says mothing was changed. How does it look to you? Asking $4300
 

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#14 · (Edited)
If you read any of the threads on here you will realize that 95% of the owners have changed something, stock motorcycles are the exception rather than the rule.
The 2005 is a T100 hence the tach, knee pads and chrome cases. The chrome valve cover, chrome tank trim, "Bonneville" script, grab rail and bar end mirrors have been added.
If none of us modded our motorcycles this forum would consist of the " Which oil should I use? " thread as most of the tech forum is us asking how to fix something we broke whilst doing something else to our rides and Forchetto would have to renew his subscription to Reader's Digest so that he'd have something to read at night.
 
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#16 ·
In N.America the available colours listed were :_
Scarlet Red/Silver
Forest Green/Silver
Sky Blue/Silver

The red and green were carried over from 2001 and the blue was new for 2002.
 
#17 ·
Thanks for your wise ( and funny) comment.
I guess my dilema is that the bikes are too far from a triumph dealer to have them checked out, I don't know enough of what to look for and I am trusting in the honesty of the person selling the bike. It doesn't help my comfort level to have everyone tell me that they didn't make any changes and don't know about any changes. That last 2005 Bonneville is at a motorcycle dealer and even he is saying only the seat and rear shocks were changed.
Can I get an opinion on the 2005 with all the changes shown and considering it is not a t100 at $4300? Also, would you consider a t100 better than a Bonneville? I have read someplace where the reviewer thought the Bonneville was a better bike than the T100.
 

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#19 ·
They at all Bonneville's. T100 is just a dressed out version of the basic model. Tt will have the spoke wheels and chrome side cases. Tach and speedo. 19" front wheel. Do not remember off hand other items - Little more trim ect...

That one you posted looks like a T100. The gators on the forks would have been added as an option. From what I can see the rest looks original.
 
#18 ·
Not sure if this helps you - but I have an '02 T100 that I absolutely love. It is the best all around bike I have ever had. It has character and a personality that no other Japanese bike I have own has ever had. It runs and rides perfect and always brings a smile and a calming feeling while riding. I prefer the carb and that it is made in England over the newer Triumphs. It is super easy to do maintenance work on and could not be a simpler design. I prefer it in all original condition myself. Nice and quiet.
Just my 2 cents but don't hesitate to get one of the older Bonneville models. They are really a fun motorbike and a pleasure to own.
 
#20 ·
About this before and after fire thing. I know about the fire at the England plant but what does that really say about bikes pre and post fire?
The vin on the 2005 has Hinkley England listed on it. Also, it is listed as a 2005 and the vin comes up as 2005 but the vin label on the bike says 2004.???
Also, any comments on the stripe on the 2005 front fender? Certainly replaced, I guess to look more like an old Bonneville.
Do things like the changed tank and front fender increase or lower the value of the bike?
 

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#23 ·
The fire doesn't affect anything other than the Centennials being both 2002 and 2003 models, Triumph just ended up with a more modern factory.
The actual vin is for a 2005 vehicle, 10th digit is a #5. Production date is when it was built so title is correct.
I would think that the stripe has been added to the original fender, that colour came with the darker colour on the fenders rather than the silver.The paint job is a factory one for a T100.
The things changed on the tank are the added decal and trim, they can be removed.
You may have realized by now that most Bonnevilles have been "personalized" by previous owners, these 'bikes will never be collectors items anyway so it's up to you to figure what they are worth to you.
This 2005 seems to have been looked after by the previous owner, adding the gaiters, signal lamps, not sure what the tail lamp is, filling in the holes where the stock signals went plus the other cosmetics etc. Unlikely to spend money if he didn't care for it. If he traded it in to this dealer he may have just stated the obvious like the shocks, the trade in value is only a number in a book to a dealer. You'd probably get 30 days warranty so if anything is iffy with it it would show up.
Just to bemuse you further, this would be an 865cc engine, not the 790cc with better cams of the 2001 and 2002 you looked at.
 
#21 ·
07/04 is the production date, so a very early 2005 MY/RY year bike.

Hinckley (sp) I presume? :cool:

If the stripe on the mud guard looks like the tank, might be a limited edition.

Original or able to be returned to original condition is of value to collectors. How collectable a 2005 might be is questionable vs a 2001 MY pre-fire though.

All Bonnevilles were "assembled" at Hinckley prior to late 2007 or early 2008. Engines always came from Hinckley on the 790's and 865's. Thai assembly in the early years is the equal to GB in QC. GB and EU bikes continued to get Hinckley production whereas ROW (rest-of-world) got Thai. "T" is on the VIN.
 
#22 ·
You'll know that the starter idler boss has failed when it fails. Then it's too late.

You'll know that it works when it works, until it fails. Like my ignition coil, which just failed abruptly last week while I was riding home from work. The difference is that you can reinforce the idler boss before it happens and be confident that it won't happen.
 
#27 ·
02/02 is February 2002 so yes it is pre-fire. The Lucifer Orange paintwork is only on the Centennial T100 and they didn't make many, maybe 300 before the fire, depends who you ask. If you have to have one then it is important. If you can find the right buyer then it may be more valuable. A Britten V1000 would most likely be a good investment, a T100 not so much.
FWIW I kept all the original tin ware for mine so that I can return it to the way it was if I wish. Only reason is that it is a very pretty motorcycle not as a retirement fund.
 
#26 ·
De gustibus non est disputandum not withstanding, my choices are:
2001 with 10k miles @ $3800
2002 t100 lucefer orange 3k miles @ 4k ( carbs need work, engine starts but too roughly to drive and test, tear on the seat )
2005 much modified with 14k miles @ 4k

Photos of all three are in previous posts for this thread.

While I'm asking for advice let me throw into the mix that I'm 70, 5'7", healthy and strong ( except for those days my back goes south for a few days ) Am I crazy to be wanting a bike and is the Bonneville just not a good fit?

Thanks for your patience and advice so far.
 
#28 ·
Not sure if being sensible and buying a motorcycle aren't mutually exclusive but the sensible choice is the 2005. Seems to have been owned by somebody that cared for it, the miles are not an issue and if it has upgraded shocks then your back will be in more than it is "out".
I fully intend to be riding a Bonneville when I am 70 y.o., which isn't too far away.
The 2002 is tempting because it is so pretty, but there is money to be spent on getting it running properly and I imagine it would have the original tires which you would want to change, more expense. And you would want to buy rear shocks.
Nothing against the 2001, nice motorcycle, just that the other two have a little more going for them in one way or another.
 
#29 ·
Just had a look at the 2005 again. Seems to have Togas rather than TOR's or stock mufflers. The OP may want to see whether it has baffles or not and whether he's good with the noise level. Assume the carbs are jetted for them as well.

Any service history on that bike? Needs anything? 14K is no biggie on the basis of "use it or lose it". May still need the TTP Safe Start. If so, maybe let the dealer do it if he's a Triumph dealer?
 
#30 ·
I just have to than everyone who has replied, not only for the advice but for the sincerity and concern. I can see that you have not only read my text and looked at all my photos you have actually studied them closely before commenting. You're like good friends and I have only been on this site about a week. I feel bad that I have nothing I can contribute.
 
#35 ·
I only skimmed through this thread so forgive me if this has been mentioned before.

IHMO, the rarest and most desirable NTB is the very first generation (or production run if you prefer) of 790cc standard Bonneville's. They're easily identifiable by their cylinder heads and oil lines, which exit the head at a 45° angle. The oil lines are mostly hard pipe that crisscross above the cooler. These engines are noted for the higher lift/duration cams. Mine is 1/01 and fundamentally changed my life.

/M
 
#37 ·
I'm finally going to go back a second time to look at the 2002 and 2005 triumphs in the middle of next week. The 2001 sold.
Could I get a list of what numbers to check ( engine, trans, vin, etc. ) and where I should be looking for them to make sure nothing has been changed?
Any other major things to check would be a big help.
Thanks again.
 
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