Hi Alex,

Good to see you again, hope you've been well?

want to get an updated insurance value (rough idea) for my 81 bonneville royal wedding special
what is the organisation

Mmmm ... don't think there is one.

Ime, you just tell the insurance company a value, they say yes or no; if yes, they charge you a percentage. Ime, no-one will tell you what the value 'should' be, because - if anything happens and you can't replace the bike for the value "they" said, "they" are in the legal

Otoh, if you do your research on the auction sites, tell the insurance company a value, if anything happens and you can't replace the bike for your value, that's your problem.

would like to get a heritage certificate, factory build sheet etc.

Depends what you mean by these? The VMCC has the records Meriden supplied originally to the Science Museum, the TOMCC has a copy; afaik, these consisted of engine build books, bike build books and dispatch books; the most-detailed record either organisation supplies is that required by the DVLA for either original registration retention or issue of an age-related registration?

Hth.

Regards,

 

Thanks Stuart,
I'll contact TOMCC and find out what they have on my bike.
I'd like to get any history on the bike as I only have the v5 and the last owners info on the bike.
Regards

 

These people might be able to help you:

Triumph Bonneville Royals

triumph bonneville royal, triumph bonneville royal wedding, bonneville royal, bonneville royal wedding, triumph royal, triumph royal wedding, T140LE, triumph bonneville T140

yampyweb.com

 

Thanks,
I had seen that before but lost the link.
Very good info and photos.

 

“Meriden 4 ever “on here and Brit bike has a good handle on such things.
Erum has quite a few contacts.

I have never been a fan of “special versions” - I guess it’s in the eye of the beholder.
maybe £500 to £1k more at best over a standard bike at most.

 

I expect you know, some vintage insurance policies offer an agreed value. So in event of write-off, that's what you get.

When my bike suffered a catastrophic fire, the assor asked why I hadn't taken this out (I.e., you silly man, to late now, sucker). I told him, that was by-the-by and irrelevant--the bike was worth £1,000 more than he was valuing it at. He gave various supporting reasons why it wasn't. I wouldn't except them. I got the extra £1,000.

What swung it for me was I had recently taken high-resolution photographs. It showed the bike was immaculate all over, and clearly worth more than "average".

Royal wedding Triumph often come up on eBay. Surprisingly expensive. If you save a search on this, keep a print-off of all auction sales, it's soon easito get a value on any bike. Or anything, come to that. Keep print outs, update once a year, lay them in front of any assor. If they disagree, you have the right to appeal.

 

Hi Folks,
I am thinking of selling my Royal Wedding UK spec T140, it is number 100 of 125 made.
If anyone on this forum has any interest then get in touch.
You can read through my posts to see the story of the work done to the bike with the excellent help and advice from forum members.
I have not used the bike since 2018, only rode about 100 miles since I MOT'd in in June 2018.

 

Here in the 'States, the "Royal Wedding" and "Jubillee" bikes don't fetch much of a premium IF AT ALL, over standard models. If it's been modified, it can even make them worth LESS because not many people fully appreciate the logos and paint color. Then, if it lacks provenance of originality, dock a few more dollars.

To get an idea of the potential HIGH END value, (if yours is totally original, (less maintenance parts like points, condensers, tires, rubber bits, etc) go to www.bringatrailer.com and see what they've gone for in the past. Then, adjust according to when they sold, because we are in a world-wide downward trending economy at the moment, now in it's 4th year. Hopefully this trend is bottoming out because I've been considering selling a couple of bikes but will NOT do so until the economy gets "back in the black".

The next factor is out of my range of full understanding - US & UK markets can be quite different AT TIMES. It is strange how THAT works, I've never seen it be consistent as far as the relationship to one another. So, "your mileage may vary"

 

Thanks GrandPaulZ,

Im not after high end value, that is impossible for the condition, I was after an insurance value at the time. Just thought to let forum members know that I'll be selling it
These later bikes have decent features that I liked such as electric start and electronic ignition, Morris alloy wheels and triple discs. I think the factory would have had these bikes well sorted by end of their production.
I would like to thank all forum members as the information and help I received here has been fantastic. You folks helped me find the right parts and helped me understand more about Triumph engineering. Without this forum old triumphs would be a lot more difficult to keep alive.
The knowlege on here is amazing and makes owning a Triumph Bonneville much easier

 

Too right bud, there are so many people on this Forum who are willing to help and share their knowledge,. If only the rest of the world had a similar approach !

 

I'm not aware of the current UK market conditions so my comments are US market based and are my OPINION. (Note opinions are like a certain part of the anatomy everyone has one😊)

I would completely agree with GPZ a modified Royal or Jubilee will have a diminished value. I would disagree about them not pulling a premium over a standard model. There are collectors or people who will pay a premium for a certain model for whatever reason. The same party will probably turn up their nose at a totally original 77 or 78 T140 or TR7. I can't prove it but I'm sure there are less of them left than the commemorative models, at least in the case of the Jubilee model. As far as values any item is only worth what the highest bidder is willing to pay.

Unless you are in need of cash it's not the best time to sell, at least in the US. I know a couple of people who are receiving no interest in machines they have for sale.

Best of luck to you regardless.

K

 

I would completely agree with GPZ a modified Royal or Jubilee will have a diminished value. I would disagree about them not pulling a premium over a standard model. There are collectors or people who will pay a premium for a certain model for whatever reason.

You are correct, I was referring to the GENERAL market, and I should have used the SAME qualifier that you used (bold).

However, I will add that the TIMING of a niche model SALE (at a premium vs standard model) is highly dependent on there being an interested niche model BUYER at the time of the sale!

 

Total agreement on above.

I believe a number of niche model buyers get notifications somehow someway when these go up for sale. Maybe they have agents looking for them. Its amazing how many times I've been contacted when an RT goes up for sale both here and the UK.
I've even gotten calls at home from owners. But then when the Illinois Marshal was active I got a couple of calls about his antics.

Anywho Terry MacDonald in the UK has three RT's. I doubt he found them perusing the local paper for adverts. Wish he would put the correct horns on them. But the one owned by Sullivan Bros was restored with 650 barrel's. Ken at British Only at one time had three and the only one I know of that had the taillight / license plate extension.

You have a great day.

K

 

But then when the Illinois Marshal was active I got a couple of calls about his antics.

You know, for a good while, when I was STARTING OUT in British bikes (1999), BPC was my "go-to" supplier! Then, he got weird, then he got BAD, then he closed.

 

Of all the things he was I never found him to be weird. A character yes, very smart (he was Mensa), and someone you counted your fingers after shaking hands. I could tell you lots of stories. I know he used to watch Forums to see if anything actionable was said.

Had a big problem once because someone thought I was him at a Swap in St Louis. Wound up changing our business name. Could never sell on eBay as we weren't that far apart. Funniest thing happened one time,on the road, we had pulled into the motel parking lot we were staying at. Guess who pulled up next to us. Yup he saw us and pulled out then went down the road a bit. He never bothered me much cause I would have posted his home address.🤣

Business closed cause he died. Kinda sad when someone passes and their not missed. Should probably shut up as I'm off topic.

K

 

Of all the things he was I never found him to be weird.

By weird, I mean that was no way to run a business. I never met the man, and only talked on the phone. I think I was on GEnie and had e-mail but was not on the forums yet.

 

When you Google that among other things that come up is Yelp.

Nine comments 1.2 rating 😱

K