Triumphrat

Old Scratcher

I was going to ask this question in the Scrambler Roots thread, but didn't want to hijack it, & thought it deserved it's own thread anyway. So I've expanded the question to include all the classic range.
I know that I seriously considered getting an original Trophy, instead of my Scrambler. But not being a good mechanic, I was swayed by the new technology & the reassurance of a two year warranty.
I don't regret my decision, but I'm wondering how many others thought, & bought, the same way i did. & how happy they are with their decision.
BTW Please don't turn this into another Hinkley v Meriden thread. That topic bores me to tears, & I'd like to partake of this discussion.

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"They told me I was goin to have to work for my living, & all I wanna do is ride." Jackson Browne (the Road & The Sky)

WetSparks

got one of each, t100 and a tiger 90. the t90 was originaly a 350 but its had 500 barrels and a twin carb daytona head fitted. no real pros or cons between them, the t100 is a smooth modern day retro cruiser. the t90 is for those times when the brain forgets how old the body is

Ringadingdoo

well I SERIOUSLY concidered buying this very bike.


1970 Triumph TR6C
Matching numbers; good presentable condition but definately not mint; extremely original apart from the tank colour; excellent mechanically, £4,995





After owing several classc machines and knowing that owning is more about fixing than riding, I opted for new Triumph. I still have the Norton to tinker with If I feel the urge to get dirty.

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Tunnel of Love <<< click me

The Street Scrambler o5 Scram - o5 Triumph Catalogue Bike - D&D's - NaRK'ed - Lucas Tail Light - Mini Indicators - Mini Speedo - Polycarb Sproket Cover - Metzier Tourance Tyres

Gob-ny-geay

I did.

I was looking very seriously at 67-69 Bonnevilles, as well as a nice 75 Norton Commando. I was trying to convince myself that the rebuild would be "fun", and a "nice hobby".

Then I clearly remembered the 3 MGB rebuilds I had done over the years (one I still have). Fun, but mucho $$$ thrown into the wind, with a huge loss in $$$ on resale. You certainly don't profit from restoring old British cars anyway. Guys with seemingly endless amounts of cash that turn these cars into Trophy Trailer Queens are also destroying the hobby.

Then I also remembered the '67 Triumph I had in College during the early '70's. A four year old bike that was temptingly cheap to buy, and totally shot. I was stone broke during those school years, so duct tape, plenty of discount K-Mart Oil and coat-hanger wire were the main repair methods. I repaired it at least as often as I rode it.

Then I realised that the roads in the USA, particularly around Northern Illinois, are no longer forgiving to vehicle breakdowns, or pull-offs anymore, and one needs to maintain 80-85 MPH or get run over.

Vintage bikes are also getting out of control price-wise. Too few decent bikes anymore, and an over-abundance of guys wanting to restore 'em. Supply Vs. Demand = Big $$$ for a good running example.

I instead bought a new Bonneville Black, and have nothing but 100% praise for it. Zero problems, starts, runs, goes over 100 MPH with ease, much more than I had hoped for.

Now, having said all that, if you HAVE a reliable, modern bike, you could always pick up an older Triumph, like my old '67, as a basket case and have at it. This way, at least you've always got a guaranteed runner in case of emergency.

The old Meriden bikes are definitely great icons, and can be made into wonderful, reliable bikes what with todays sealants, upgraded ignitions, oil filters, better gasketing and machining, better modern materials, etc. Love'em! But...

My fault really - at my age you prefer to just push the start button and ride. I had enough black grease under my fingernails when I was younger buck. The philosophy is, I COULD do that... but I don't want to anymore!

But I secretly scan the Want-Ads and Ebay when the missus isn't looking!

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Bob

"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem".

Sal Paradise

I originally looked at Meriden Bonnevilles. Thats what I wanted. When I found out about the new Bonnevilles, I was torn. Still I hunted the craigslist and ebay ads and i did find some really nice examples of old Bonnevilles in the $4k-$6k range. My friends( who ride brand new Harleys) were against me buying an older bike, they thought it would be a hassle and expense and eventually convinced me that a new one was a better value. Financially I was only getting one shot at this. But I still want a Meriden. *Sigh* Maybe when the kids are done with college.

Rock500

Bought a 1970 T100S in 1995, restored it to better than new, and then bought a new T100 in 2006. I still have both.

Rocky

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Still rockin', rollin' and ridin' after all these years.
'06 black/red T100

propforward

I agree with some others - for me it's not question of this one or this one, it's both for me please!

I already have a 1960 matchless that I'm rebuilding (slowly) so the Meriden Triumph will wait until that is done.

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There is nothing in the darkness that is not there when the lights are on

SpaceCoastRat

I had a Meriden Triumph, a 1970 Daytona, and absolutely loved it. The only problem was finding a wrench willing to work on olde British Steel. My dad was my primary wrench and he moved down to Florida from New England in '98 when I was going through a divorce and the bike sat for about 6 years until I lit the fuse on the escape pod and headed to the Sunshine State. As much as I loved the Daytona I realized that if I shipped it down I'd still need to put a whole bunch of work into it and would have a 33 year old bike with the ubiquitous old leak and those dastardly Lucas electrics as my only means of transportation. I put an ad on craigslist and did an even swap with a guy who had a low mileage Suzuki Savage so I'd have a more dependable ride. As much as it hurt to see her go the guy who got her was an excellent wrench and the look in his eyes the moment he saw her made me realize she was going to a good home and would be loved.

When I started to rebuild my life in '05 I vowed that I would get a brand new Bonnie to replace the Daytona. That is until I saw the Scrambler sitting on the showroom floor with those swept back pipes and it was love at first sight. I hunted down an '06 in February '07 because I wanted the brushed aluminum engine and she has been an absolute joy with almost 16,000 miles in about 15 months.

The only thing I really miss about the Meriden bike was tickling the carbs and firing her up on the first kick. Dad's still got a 1970 BSA 650 that let's me scratch that itch when the mood hits. My next bike will be a Rocket III but if I've already got a Triumph and dad's got the BSA so if I was going to get more olde British Steel it would probably be a Norton so I'd have the holy trilogy of Great British bikes in the family.

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Gabba Gabba Hey!!

Keith G

Rocket III? This one?

http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/mo...e-capsule.aspx

http://www.walnecks.com/search/detail.cfm?ID=457691

They're a bit pricey these days!

Or do you mean a NEW Rocket III?

FrankBlack

I realised I liked the idea of an old bike rather than the actuality. With the mods I've done, the bike I have is looking and feeling more and more what I originally wanted, and parts and upgrades are readily available of course. It's specifically the design and originality that attracted me to the old Triumphs - and old bikes in general - but I wanted something that was reliable and relatively easy to fix as well as looking good. The new Bonneville has - potentially - a lot of the good design features of the old and, to my taste, can look better in many ways once you swap the cheap parts for well made components (for me, that's what creates the annoying 'gap' in design quality between the old and new bikes. If the new bikes were fitted with more well-made metal parts and less plastic, there would be a greater connection between the Meriden and the Hinckley identities). I still love the old bikes and would still consider owning one if I had the money to own another bike. And I certainly respect the dedication of those who keep old bikes well maintained. In the end it's a compromise of course, but I certainly wanted to spend more time riding than repairing or searching for parts, even if it has meant some of that time has been spent modifying!

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Silver Bonneville 2007
Burgess style silencers/45 pilots/145 mains/Turns:0.75L&1.25R/50 mpg avrg/FARK/Latest DYNO