Triumphrat

GleaminTwin · 01-15-2008

Hello guys, I've owned an '06 Scrambler since new and so I've been posting in the Twin Talk area on and off for a year or two, but this is my first post in this forum. To give you all a little history, I've been riding in NYC for a half dozen years or so, started off with a 150 cc scooter and really liked the utility it offered combined with how light (a shade over 300 lbs) and maneuverable it is. Put 15,000 Manhattan miles on that scooter by the way, and she still runs great (an Aprilia, they make quality machines). Then a couple of years ago, bought my Scrambler, it's a fine machine, but I think better suited to country roads and local highways, it's a bit too heavy and the suspension a little harsh for dense sometimes slow moving city traffic and maneuvering through traffic jams. With the center stand and luggage rack, and city bag, it's definately 500 + lbs. I'm not going to sell it, I'll just keep it in the suburbs and use it for motorcycle vacations/weekend country rides, for that kind of riding it's really great.

So, a couple of months ago I was visiting a local suburban m/c dealer and saw a mint '70 Triumph Tiger 650 (asking price $8K), and really a beauty, turns out it was an original low miles bike in pristine condition. When I saw it, I could tell it was a nice light bike, really about the same size as my scooter, probably about the same weight, too. So, I started thinking about it, maybe an older Triumph would make a great city bike, but with so much style and class (great), but also possibly very high maintenance requirements (not so great), it is after all 38 years old. McQueen gave me some excellent and really useful advice on these older bikes (thanks, McQueen), and also on fair prices, etc, but I thought I'd post here too, to get some more opinions. So, there's this really nice '70 Tiger; and then there's another dealer nearby that has been in bus. 35 years that restores old British bikes, I spoke with him and he has a '67 Bonneville that could be given a "street restoration" (price incl. starting point '67 Bonnie to restore $9.8K). He said this is all rebuilt or new mechanical components and new wiring harness, fasteners, paint job, etc., but not necessarilly NOS components and original type fasteners, and using acrylic paint rather than original lacquer. he said during the restoration it's possible to install upgrades to help with rideability like higer output 3 phase alternator, stainless spokes/nipples/possibly also stainless rims, electronic ignition, spin on oil filter, and retro accessory tear drop turn signals (I'm not sure what the cost of the upgrades is). I've always liked original bikes, after all, they're only original once, and I like the understated elegance of this original green Tiger, also the Tiger has the less complicated single carb set up (also quite a bit less money, since most likely the seller would be willing to negotiate, not quite sure if a restoration shop would negotiate their fees, or if they would skimp on the restoration if I tryed to chisel them down in the price). But I also like the idea of the upgraded components which are definately easier to have done if they're done when the bike is being restored/built. Plus the '67 Bonnie is also a beautiful, actually a gorgeous bike, maybe a bit more flashy and sporty than the Tiger, but executed with a real classic, timeless and beautiful look.

I do intend to use the bike, if I wind up getting one of these, as much as possible, for fun recreational city use, but not for the daily work commute which is only 7 miles but can take 20 minutes or more in heavy rush hour traffic, and that's with aggressive lane splitting/filtering tactics (better to ride the subway and not subject the machine to that daily grind).

I know that you guys have ages and ages of experience with these classics so I thought you might have some really good opinions for me on if I'm nuts to want to use a bike this old for real world city riding (I would take it easy on the bike, though), or if the bike is set up right would it be perfectly adequate for this type of use. Also what's your opinion on the original vs restored, and the prices that they're asking, and what upgrades are really the most necessary. Thanks.

TRI-AL · 01-16-2008

My response would be, if you plan on useing this as a "daily RIDER", and at the cost involved, why not simply buy a new Hinckley base Bonneville? It's basically the same thing only with modern technology? That would be my route. JMHO....or an Enfield, or Kawi WS650??? Why bother with all the trials & tribulations of a "relic" unless you're personally "involved" with one? My $0.02

bluesock943 · 01-16-2008

Gleam,

I had a 70 Trophy before getting a Thruxton. Having had to push it through Manhattan traffic only once was enough for me... Still I ended up doing it several times before I finally let it go. I loved that bike, but as a daily rider.... I'd recommend something a bit more reliable...

Don't know who your "other nearby dealer" is, but if it's not 6th Street Specials, you might give them a call. Hugh is a super nice guy and certainly knows his stuff when it comes to vintage British machines... He'll keep pretty much any vintage bike in good running order. If you get one, he's an excellent resource to have.

I'd agree with TRI-AL and say in NYC you want something a bit more reliable... Imagine your bike dying on you while crossing the Williamsburg Bridge? Can't say I know much about the Scrambler, but the Thruxton suits me very well for tearing about the city...

Best of luck whatever you decide.

-Markus

DAGAD · 01-16-2008

Hi Gleamintwin I am pleased you found the 'pure' forum??? I would go for the 1970 TR6 out of the two and to some extent would agree with Tri-al. If you like spannering go the old bike route, if your bikes go into the dealers, get a new one.

What you really want is a 1969 /1971 T100C, light agile and perfect for cities.

you won't find much difference between your scrambler and the 650 TR6 / T120 except brakes and suspension. It will look the dogs though! My favourite would definately be the 1970 TR6 but I hate Spring Gold.............................................. ..... The colour you called 'green'. It was not a popular colour and difficult to colour match, but lots of others liked it. JMHO
Roy.

Mecchanica · 01-16-2008

Do it right and you won't push. I rode my 68 Bonneville with a 70 Tiger top end for 90K nearly trouble-free miles over about 11 years and only pulled it down to do a cosmetic redo. Merle Norman job. For more than half that time, it was my ONLY transport. I would put that Tiger up against any modern bike for reliability ONCE it's done right. I'd worry more about theft than breakdown. My bike was lighter than a stock Daytona, too. Get the 70, although I prefer the 69s or earlier, personally. The five hundreds are wimpy and revvy, and wear out relatively quickly, have weak gearboxes. You'll like the low end grunt of the Tiger.
I bought a Thruxton to ride in the meantime.
And an SR 500 Yammie.
And a 68 500.....to fix and sell.

GleaminTwin · 01-16-2008

Thanks for the opinions. Like I said the '70 Tiger is basically all original and low miles, asking $8. Here's a picture:

And the '67 Bonnie (restored incl. bike to start, 9.8K) if I went that route would be ground up "street restoration" with modern upgrades installed at that time like electronic ignition, stainless spokes/rims, higher output alternator, retro turn signals, etc. Either way the bikes would be in a good mechanical state of tune, just original vs restored, and upgrades vs no upgrades (though I could install some on the original later). Could also selectively install upgrades to the Tiger but not sure which ones are a must.

Already have an '06 Scrambler, big advantage of one of these bikes over the Scrambler for urban riding is it would weigh a lot less and be a lot smaller in size, and be quite a bit more nimble and easier to ride in city traffic as a result.

So, given that the bikes are gonna be in a good state to start, how much maintenance would be required going forward, say if I rode them 2,000 miles a year, not daily but about once or twice a week. Thanks again, and what's your guys opinions on the prices of these two routes, are these fair prices?

LJ3 · 01-16-2008

there's no reason an old britbike can't be a reliable daily driver. for years I used a 68 TR6C then a Matchless G12CSR for daily transport in the SF bayarea. I put over 30 thousand miles on the Matchless with no major problems. for years I commuted up and down the 101 freeway. the biggest problem is what do you do with the bike when you're NOT riding it. I was always able to keep my bikes INSIDE my living space and off the street and INSIDE my workshop when at work. these old bikes draw lots of attention both good and bad. think of it as leaving a Rolex watch in plain view on a New York sidewalk, imagine how long it would last.
the TR6 in the photo is very nice, almost too nice to 'sacrifice' to the streets. I now have a '70 TR6C and my '74 commando that I'll put alot of miles on this summer but it will be in the Iowa countryside not the city streets. my commute is now 20 miles of twisty blacktop which is great 9 months out of the year. for these next few months the bikes are in my basement.

GrandPaulZ · 01-16-2008

Buy the '70 and if it doesn't have it, install a Sparx 3-phase alternator and Sparx ignition unit with new 6v coils. That bike looks gorgeous, what's not to love?

The big deal is to DO YOUR MAINTENANCE AT HOME, that way you won't be doing it at the roadside.

McQueen · 01-16-2008

GT,

Glad you made it over here. Lots of knowledgeable folks. I'll side with Mecc and LJ3 in that an old bike can be a daily rider with some routine maintenance. And if I can do it, you can do it!

DAGAD · 01-16-2008

GT, on those pics, BUY IT!!!!!
In England that bike would easilly make $12,500 and looks like it's worth every penny.
Roy.