Triumphrat

CCR

help me think rationally....
am I crazy to entertain the idea of trading a 95 triumph for a vintage trumpet?? ah! ***** the rheinbeck vintage show!!

DAGAD

Hi CCR, depends what you call 'Vintage'..................... What had you in mind? Bonneville, Tiger, Thunderbird, T110, Tiger Cub???? OR in the true meaning of 'VINTAGE', 1920 to 1940??
Next thing is, how are you with spanners? More to the point, do you LIKE spannering?
Will you want to ride this bike more than 6000 miles a year? There are so many questions you need to ask your self, the best one I think is; CAN I KEEP THE HINCKLEY AND BUY ANOTHER TRIUMPH????? If yes, then go for both
Roy.

CCR

I guess I ought to elaborate and ask a few more questions, I really hope someone can talk some sense into me...

I own a 95 thunderbird, and besides routine fluid changes and whatnot, I haven't had much with working on it... mods are pretty out of the question as my funds are minimal if not nonexistant. So, I bought me a 1970 honda and have been infatuated with tunin and fixin and shinin and what have you. I've learned so much with this bike after 2 weeks than I have in 5 years with other motorcycles. No one can doubt the attractability of an older motorcycle, ANYTHING before 1980 looks and feels more like a bike in my mind than those there after. I've been looking at the early 70's bmw 75/5's and r90/6's. But I feel an akinship to the triumph brand, so I've been thinking of an older one to keep my hands busy. But the thing is, I dont want to spend more time in the garage (read front porch) than I do riding. I want an older motorcycle I can fix without crazy specialty tools, ramps, not even one I can't get onto a centerstand without another person, get me?
Feasably I cannot keep the tbird and buy another triumph. It wont work. And besides, honestly the tbird never kept me awake at night like the bmw or older daytona's or tigers. So what can someone tell me? I figure the honda I'll keep around becuase its affordable and (percivably) reliable.
Is there anyone out there riding an old (late 60's early 70's) triumph routinly without countinously sinking money and an exagerated amount of time making it run? The way I figure, if someone can tell me I can ride one of these, everyday without needing to fix something before I head out, Im going to do it.
So go ahead, talking me out of it, or talk me into it. keep in mind the bmws mentioned in comparrison to an old trumpet.

Mecchanica

My only transportation was a 1968 Triumph Bonneville for nearly 10 years....about 90,000 miles. Only one event, and an oddball one at that, which caused the bike to need a pick-up/push back to the shop. So, yes, it can be done. And I can tell you how to do it.

__________________
Triumph old, Triumph new, any Triumph will do.

CCR

they all seem amazing. is there any (late 60's early 70's) bike that seems like a hotter bike in terms of reliabilty and performance. I mean, old bikes are the*****, but I'd still like to be fast.

Mecchanica

Norton 750 Commando was marginally quicker than a 650 Bonneville. But, put a 750 kit on a late 60s Bonneville or Tiger, and you have a winner. Now install a five speed from a mid-70s 750 Triumph, and you have a killer.

My bike evolved from a near stock 68 Bonneville to a very competent modern motorcycle.
750 kit
Jomo 15 cams (or Megacycle 51015)
79 five speed gear set
Tiger (single carb) head in place of the twin carb Bonneville head
32mm Amal Concentric carb on opened up manifold
3 phase alternator, no battery.
Lots of alloy parts and stainless fasteners.
750 twin oil pump.
Lightened and balanced clutch, MAP plate kit with alloy pressure plate.
Lightened valve train.
Black Diamond valves/Ampco 45 guides.
Kibblewhite valve spring and retainer kit.

All synthetic lubes. Belden teflon insulated/silvered wire.
Alloy rims, stainless spokes.
Modern Avon or Dunlop tires.
Nylon lined cables.
Rebuilt Triumph forks, 1969 specs with hard chrome tubes.
Stainless fenders.
Folding footpegs from a C model.
Halogen headlight conversion.

__________________
Triumph old, Triumph new, any Triumph will do.

DAGAD

CCR, Mecchanica has just described my old SAINT and believe me he is telling you CORRECT. However we do have a different opinion over primary drives..........
YES, you can get a sweet bike. Definately go SINGLE CARB.
You can see my old bike in the photo albums, classic & vintage, ROYS SAINT. To give you some idea, this bike was complete and SORTED, I just sold it for £6000 (with Craven luggage).
You will need to check your finances very carefully, for a long term project while you are riding the H***a and then, make it a reality
Roy.