Triumphrat

traveler501 · 09-06-2009, 07:22 PM

hi, guys
Just bought a new Thunderbird and my old love has got to go! This beauty is very original and in great shape...chrome, seat, tank and paint etc still factory. It has 17,500 miles on it, second owner to the best of my knowledge (that's all I know...bought it from an estate sale broker, supposedly the PO was a collector). I completely refurbished this bike over the last 1000 miles...new Dunlop K70's, new OEM pistons and rings (stock size, not over), exhaust, battery, major carb rebuild including enrichment plungers. She starts first kick and pulls strongly through the rev range to 5k (have never tried to go higher). Vin is T140EXB25715, numbers match. All work was professionally done, I have $6000 in the bike, but understand I'll never see that much back. I am hoping to find a good home for this loved bike. I'll take $4600 and help with the shipping costs if the buyer is cross country.
also, the bike still needs a little TLC..one fork is slowly leaking (full rebuild kit from Mitch Kempf included in purchase), and I never used the lights (day driving, hand signals)...when trying them I found some to be unreliable, so the grounds probably need going over. you can contact me directly at traveler501@q.com.
thanks
John

BigAl8295 · 09-07-2009, 09:57 AM

Where are you?

traveler501 · 09-07-2009, 08:42 PM

hi, Al
sorry, I should have said that the bike is in Sedona, Arizona. btw...I grew up near where you are in York, still have a brother in Oxford. let me know if you have any more questions...
John

simpson · 09-08-2009, 01:24 AM

BigAl-

You buy it, I'll deliver it.

-simpson

traveler501 · 09-15-2009, 11:45 PM

ok, so...what if I drop the price to $4200? Am I just too high? Or is this just a bad time? Not sure whether to Ebay it and or wait til Spring. Any opinions are welcome...
regards,
John

Billpvegas · 09-17-2009, 01:15 PM

I have been doing some research on these model years (looking to buy one) and you do seem a little high on the price.I guess it depends how bad you want rid of it,its a tough time right now to be selling any motorcycle.
I am not an expert (at all) but I am seeing a lot of these on E Bay not selling or even getting close to reserves.There is probably 10 or so on there right now years 1969 through 1981.
Sorry,just my 2c.

traveler501 · 09-17-2009, 03:32 PM

hi, Bill
I appreciate your comments. And I know what you are saying is true about Ebay and pricing. I have been watching Ebay as well for several years. I am not trying to sell you my bike at this point, but I do want to share my own experience with you as it might save you problems with your own purchase.
I bought this bike off Ebay 3 years ago and paid $3500 because it was totally original and supposed to be in flawless condition. The sellers (a small bike dealership in Kansas) stalled on shipping it to me, stalled a month for one reason after another such that when I received it, it was 35 days after the auction and Ebay wouldn't honor their warrantee. (obviously they knew what they were doing, and I was easy prey). The bike....while flawless in being original and beautiful, had the original tires (totally cracked), only 80 psi compression in the cylinders and the carbs had been sitting for years and were both gummed up and all the jets worn. The dealer promised I could ride it cross country, and actually it wouldn't even run! It cost me another $3000 to get the bike professionally redone. So now it runs wonderfully and looks great and even has low miles...but it isn't worth what I have in it, and I am competing in price with Ebay all over again for what only seems equivalent *grin*
I offer this for whatever it's worth. At the very least, don't let the seller stall you on delivery! Btw...I bought this bike 3 years ago, and for all I know Ebay's policy has finally changed from 35 days off auction to 35 days off delivery...I have no idea, but doubt it. I found them very unreasonable to deal with at the time.
Best regards, and thanks for your opinion. I think you are right and maybe I'll just keep it around now that I have so much in it. The darn thing is fun to ride *grin*
John

traveler501 · 09-21-2009, 02:46 AM

well...she's going into the shop this week to get the light wiring gone over and new fork seals. I can't make any promises once I get her back and waxed. any body wants a classy old Triumph better speak up soon *grin*

I actually realize that the timing is bad for selling the Bonnie. Just wanted to thank everyone for looking, and for the respondents. I suppose I'll just have to ride her another 6 months and try again in the Spring. darn! LOL
best regards,
John