Triumphrat

gatornapper

HA! The stories here on what happens when you loan - or borrow - things are so great they deserve their own thread!!!!

My old rule was the only things I wouldn't loan out were my chainsaw and wife. That list has expanded greatly over the years....all due to experience.

I do borrow things from others, (but rarely since after being a general and electrical contractor I have almost every tool under the sun) - but my rule is simple:

If I borrow something from you, it's going to be better when I bring it back than when I borrowed it - and noticeably so. A vehicle? your tank will be full and it will be washed - at a minimum.

A machine? I'll find something that needs adjusting or repair - and fix it. Or, I'll find a way to modify or improve it - but only do so with your permission. Or I'll buy an accessory for it to give you when I return it. Something.

My bikes were different. I taught most of my kids to ride. Riding for us is a family activity, and all my kids but one enjoy it. We have our own group rides - it's just something we do together. How could I not let my kids ride my bikes? The '09 CVO Road Glide? No, too big and heavy, but I have let close friends with Touring Harley's ride it, including my brother who lets me ride his Road King when I'm in Naples.

So I'm adding my old Trumpies to my "no ride" list. They are just too unique and valuable, and not toys.

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gatornapper

My sweet '72 T120V Bonne
'73 Trident T150V, '72 Bonneville T120V, '71 Trophy 500 T100C
"A Dream Collection" (w/apologies to all '60's purists)

gatornapper

Snakeoil -

Your story about the Browning shotgun is the best example I've ever heard....one to tell to others for sure.

And your story about the Ferrari 308 is too. A wealthy good friend refused to drive my Cayman even though he could buy several. Said he didn't want to have to pay for it if he damaged it. Yeah, you shoulda bought it. Sold it later. I've done it before, when young, but now I won't borrow/drive anything of others that I'm not prepared to replace. I think that's wisdom. And wisdom only comes with age - and experience....

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gatornapper

My sweet '72 T120V Bonne
'73 Trident T150V, '72 Bonneville T120V, '71 Trophy 500 T100C
"A Dream Collection" (w/apologies to all '60's purists)

Rathlindri

group hug????
we missed you too!!

gatornapper

Rathlindri -

Thanks! I'll take it!

Wow, is it good to be back home with friends....forgot how warm and fuzzy it is here.......

I'm also beginning to miss my Bonneville.....but Ray may not get it finished until after deer season.....

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gatornapper

My sweet '72 T120V Bonne
'73 Trident T150V, '72 Bonneville T120V, '71 Trophy 500 T100C
"A Dream Collection" (w/apologies to all '60's purists)

Tiger Dale

Well Richard welcome home. Nice to see you post, sorry for your troubles. I rely on Startron for ethanol balancing. Research it. I personally don't think it had anything to do with that. It's obviously a timing problem. You are running points as I recall. Lucas...the Prince of Darkness doesn't just apply to lights.

I remember as a lad in a Triumph shop working on my bike in the service area, which was allowed if not encouraged. My friend the service mgr. was a brilliant ex national racer sponsored by Triumph/Bsa in the late '60's. Brilliant wrench. Being financially challanged and racing sportsman events, I would always be borrowing everything from tools to silicone sealer, Loctite etc. from him. One day I asked for a tube of something or another, and he said (very cheerfully) Sure Dale you can borrow it, but let me tell you something, When I need something.....I buy it. But please use whatever I have. I felt like **** , but learned a lesson from a great friend.

Another wisdom I was told, Never lend your car or girl........both could have a rod thrown in them.

Sail Smoothly Gator,

dale

henryanthony

Hey GN,

Sorry to hear about the holed piston but, I guess that Porche 911 should keep you happy in the twisties until your Bonnie comes back from the shop.

Cheers,
Henry

PS. I often think back to the Lasgana post

gatornapper

Ah, it's so good to hear from so many of you - nobody's changed a whit. That's good. Remember now, it's only a lowly Cayman Base, but it will out-handle some of the 911's because of the mid-engine. And yeah, it's a blast, but it's still a cage and isn't over 40 years old.

Have you tried the best lasagna in the world recently? We had it last weekend, and it was so wonderful. Everyone should try it once. but you will likely be hooked.

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gatornapper

My sweet '72 T120V Bonne
'73 Trident T150V, '72 Bonneville T120V, '71 Trophy 500 T100C
"A Dream Collection" (w/apologies to all '60's purists)

75jazz

I hope you find a good answer as to why your piston holed, because I never did! Fresh rebuild for me, and I blew a piston not long after. Had it redone again, and so far no problems but I know that feeling of mistrust after an incident like this. Let all my buddies redline down the highways around me, I'm going to take it smooth and easy listening intently! It's been about a year now, so I'm starting to relax a bit.
Good to see you back on the board though! Hope that new garage is nice and warm and ready for a winter build break in!

gatornapper

Hey, Jazz - good to hear from you - and also glad to hear I am not alone in the holed piston experience.

But wondering if I am the record holder for holed pistons in same bike in shortest time frame?

Yeah, gotta go through the whole break-in process again, so it will be slow and easy for a while - but that will be next spring.

Garage presently has no heat, so if it's below 50, I'm not out there. We replaced our main 3 1/2 ton heat pump (10 SEER) over a year ago with a new Trane 20 SEER unit, and as the old one was working fine, kept it for the garage. An HVAC friend will be installing in in the garage in January for next to nothing. I won't use the heat strips, but only the heat pump - just enough to take the chill off in the garage (we are insulating it now) when it's between 50 and 32 outside. I'll never set it above 60 and only use it when I'm working out there.

If I didn't have the unit, I wouldn't heat the garage.....to much $$$$........

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gatornapper

My sweet '72 T120V Bonne
'73 Trident T150V, '72 Bonneville T120V, '71 Trophy 500 T100C
"A Dream Collection" (w/apologies to all '60's purists)

RetroRod

A nice sentiment Rath, one that all contributors to this blog will agree. Gator has certainly been the lynch pin to this wonderful thread that has wandered onto every topic known to man.

A personal welcome back from me too Gator.

Like you Richard, I have been quiet lately due to ill health and despite having two lovely bikes in the garage, have rarely been out.

80% of motorcycle accidents occur when the rider is unfamiliar with the machine s/he is riding. Not loaning the bike could save a life.

Detonation killed the piston and it's a topic beyond the scope of this modest post. Fuel is major factor, and it seems you guys cannot access ethanol free fuel at 98 octane, which is available here still, but for who knows how long.

Spend some time reviewing threads here and on the britbike forum where you'll find a wealth of knowledge about detonation, initial bedding of the rings, and running the engine in.

In the absence of high octane leaded fuel, these old engines are very susceptible to detonation which places pressure on all aspects of tuning and riding style, to avoid holed pistons.

Like others here, I do hope you'll be back on the Bonnie soon, as they really are a joy to ride, despite the many problems we encounter with them. RR

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"A cynic is a blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, and not as they ought to be."
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914)

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