Triumphrat

NeoDutch59 · 08-08-2009, 12:31 AM

I have the fortunate aquisition of a 1970 Bonneville with complete history. This particular bike was orginally sold by Pomeroy's Cycle Shop in Yakima Washington in 1970. The orginal owner drove it for about 18 months and put about 4000 miles on the odometer. He holed a piston due to an air leak and decided to have it repaired at Pomeroy's. He wanted to repair it and trade it in on one of the early Yamaha tri-wheelers.

My Father was the Service Manager at the time and explained to him that he would be better off by selling it as is and taking the money to buy the Yamaha that he wanted. My Father then purchased it as a project to work on during the slow times. He rebuilt the top end at his leisure.

He drove it for several years only putting about 4000 more miles on it. This was his toy bike while he road numerous Harleys and BMWs a couple of hundred thousand miles. It was last registered in 1982 with 8202 miles on it. I aquired it recently and am starting on a preservation.

Here is a picture of it on the way home to Reno from Arizona, this is it at Boulder Dam looking north. Security is tight, I had the Sheriff in the trailer looking things over.

I wil post more soon

NeoDutch59 · 08-08-2009, 12:45 AM

I needed to build shop in my garage to work on this. I took the third bay in a 3 car garage and this is what I got. It should work well.

NeoDutch59 · 08-08-2009, 01:17 AM

Dad dismantled the bike in the early '80s and stored it. Her are some pics after unloading the trailer

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GrandPaulZ · 08-08-2009, 10:47 AM

If it were me, I'd carefully clean everything, put it back together, and RIDE IT!!!

"They are only original ONCE".

That paint looks excellent, even with the scrapes and such. There are fewer and fewer ORIGINAL Astral Red with Silver Sheen scalloped paint jobs left out there (my absolute favorite of ALL Meriden Triumphs)...

NeoDutch59 · 08-08-2009, 12:12 PM

GPZ, you are absolutey right. These pictures are early in the process and I have cleaned up the paint and waxed it with Turtle Wax. With the exception of the scratches it looks like it just left the factory. Even the underside of the fenders are perfect. I agree with you, they are only orginal once. That is why I am describing this as a preservation. The only non-orginal parts are the silencers and they are late 70's correct after market pieces. Only an expert would see the differences in them, it is just a matter of the welds.

shrugger · 08-11-2009, 08:41 PM

Wish I had dedicated shop space like that.

My motors being rebuilt on my sturdy coffee table. LOL

NeoDutch59 · 08-11-2009, 09:37 PM

Yes, it's nice, my truck lives outside now. The girls have the other two spots in the garage. I like your choice in bikes too. I looked at the Enfields at the local dealer. He is kind of a flake , but the bikes are cool and priced right.

shrugger · 08-11-2009, 10:07 PM

Yeh, I think all R.E. dealers are a bit Tetched in the head.

It's always great to see an oldie that basically needs wax and a
few "make run" parts.
I've nearly got my motor ready to assemble now. But as you can see
This is where I started.

GrandPaulZ · 08-15-2009, 12:15 PM

Sorry to hijack the thread, but I like your bike, shrugger...

...except maybe the rear fender...

shrugger · 08-15-2009, 03:34 PM

whilst we await updates from NeoDutch59...

I'm pretty sure the fenders are "period correct" aftermarket fiberglass.
I'm as yet undecided with the rear fender. Does look awfull with the
solo and P pad. We'll see once an original seat is back on there.
It's got an original Lucas tail light. It's also got a Harley rear wheel.
I've seen several early Triumphs running around Columbus, and
every one of them had HD rear wheels. Not a bad performance Mod,
that's oddly enough, also "period correct"