Triumphrat

SlowPocono

I'm happy with my T140E but I'm reluctant to implement many modifications because of its essentially original condition.

I came across a 1972 Bonneville for sale. The price is $750 FIRM!

I'm thinking that this '72 might be a good start for a less restricted cafe' project.
I haven't looked at the '72 in person but it's only about 25 miles away.


Here's what I read in the ad:

"The motor is froze or siezed 650 with a 750 morgo kit that is 20 over. Electronic Ing. - Harley Wheel on back - Lots of chrome - swingarm - front brke system - hubs etc."

The engine and frame numbers don't match but there is a clear title with the bike.



I respect the experience and opinions of our forum members, so, tell me...

What do you think?

Is this a trap that I'm excited about because it looks cheap and is close by?

Is this a reasonably priced gamble?

Is this a bargain that I should jump on?

Or, fill in the blank with what YOU really think.

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DaveDone

This seems like a no brainier to me.
Since you Do know a bit about these bikes and the pics show it worth (imho) more than $750. and it is just down the road ? you cant go wrong. I would like that kind of opportunity
+ no problem with the concourse fellows

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Dave

Webby

Looks like a good deal to me
Just bear in mind that it is a high seat model if you are a little short in the leg department. Most of the rest looks pretty good, I'm not sure if the tank is from a later model or has had the seam removed, either way it still looks good. Other things going for it are original wheel hubs, forks, handlebars and the frame has not been chopped. If it was near me I'd be there with 750 bucks kicking the guys door in!

Webby

Tiger Dale

I just saw in craigslist Washington DC area a '72 STOCK Bonnie with 2,300 +/- original miles that looked beautiful for $2,350/OBO.

Wish I had the xtra cash. It's a steal in my world.

All together and stock with only 2.300 miles. Better to start with a whole running bike in my opinion.

TD

scubaguy10

Considering that I just bought a (really nice) 72 Bonnie for $3700, that looks like a good deal to me. Of course, it is clearly a project bike, but the motor shouldn't cost more than $1500-2000 to do completely (just guessing, but that sounds reasonable) and the rest of it is complete.

That does look like one of the high seat models. Mine seems to be one of the transitional models where they had managed to lower the seat back down somewhat. If it is a 71 or early 72, the seat height would be about 34". Late 72s like mine, it was back to about 32 1/2".

TxTiger

I would definitely check it out. In another thread, GPZ indicates that a locked engine may just be a rusted primary drive chain. That would be easy enough to check. At that price it's definitely worth a look. Let us know.

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'71 Tiger

daveforty

forks look like they have been extended.

I cant believe the cheap deals you guys have over there, last week I was following a basket case Commando on eBay, it went for £3200 - thats nigh on $5000 - for a box load of bits. $750 for that Bonnie is a give-away - got to be worth that much for parts. The $400 T160 discussed elsewhere is mind boggling.

What are you waiting for? Similarly the N15 in another thread, last time I saw one of those for sale over here the asking price was £8000 (~$13000).

Ming

I agree with Dave, at the moment there is a set of forks with conical hub wheel and a new front tyre TR6/T120, starting bid,£1000!!,go and snatch the guy's hand off,
Bill.

dogtired

My 2 cents worth...
As it is, it is fugly.

Cafe it, chop it, bobber it, do whatever you want... please! To me it is hideous with that seat and those bars. For the love of all things good just make it pretty again, before someone else does something equally as hideous with it.

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erikmustride

i just bought a 72 for $500. It's engine and frame don't match either. That frees you up for alot of fun with the bike. Restorations are cool, but, this gives you an opportunity to make a bike that could be what I think of as a "period correct mild custom". In other words, the kind of bike a guy would put together in his garage on a shoe string budget. Parts for it a pretty affordable. The motor is pretty much the same as all 650 motors, and most of the body and frame aren't real desirable so they are cheap as well. So far it has just been a total blast to sit in the garage and work on!

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