So a month or two ago I hit a stark realization that I needed to check some things off of life's to-do list. Mortar rounds a gunfire tend to keep things in perspective, and admittedly, I've kind of fallen into a "routine" over the past two years.
I sat in my shelter in this wretchedly hot desert wondering what I needed to check off my list. Kids. No, not yet. College degree. Yep, need to do that, but that's going to take a while to finish. How about something easier? Well, I've always wanted to do a motorcycle ride across the country. Sounds great! That's it! Oh, just two problems. First, I haven't been on a motorcycle in ten years and, thus don't have a valid license anymore. Second, I don't have a motorcycle.
The first problem is an easy fix. I'll take an MSF course and get my license as soon as I get back home. The second problem could be a bit more difficult. The wife needs a new car. We just bought a house. Hmmmm, where's the money for a motorcycle?
Rewind to 2003, while stationed at Fort Gordon, GA, I laid my eyes on the sexiest motorcycle I've ever seen. It was a 1968 Bonneville, hardtailed, lowered, and slightly stretched with little to no additional rake added. I remember because I had to ask the guy exactly what it was. It looked like he built it in his own garage. Simple, nothing flashy, and gorgeous. I was in love with a British gal.
Suddenly it hit me. I'll build that Triumph I always wanted! It's the perfect opportunity to challenge myself, learn a lot, and get a one of a kind motorcycle in the process. But to keep costs down, I'd have to do it Johnny Cash style: One piece at a time.
I've never worked on a motorcycle before. Jeeps are the pinnacle of my mechanical experience, and anybody can fix a Jeep. But I've got a few things on my side. Will to learn and patience top the list. I've also got in-laws with every tool known to man, huge workshops, and the expertise to use everything they own. I spent my leave before this deployment learning to weld from my Uncle, a master welder. Of course, they are in Oklahoma, and I live in North Carolina. No problem because I've got time too.
I scoured the net looking for a donor bike, from NC to OK and everywhere in between. My options seemed limited in my home state, but seemed promising in Oklahoma. The prices were just too high here on the east coast. Once I had about given up and decided to make a move on something in Oklahoma, I found something! A two Triumph basket case deal, including a 67 Bonneville and a 68 Tiger. No real pictures to speak of, and the guy was almost two hours away, but after months in a war zone, rational decisions are boring. A quick nod from the wife, and I was negotiating.
I ended up getting them for a total of $1600. The Tiger engine is running, the frames are rolling. The Bonneville engine is in pieces. Serial numbers match and titles in hand for both of them. That's about all the info I had, but it sounded like a great deal at that price.
My wife picked them up today, and sent me the first previews in an email.
Oh Crap! This is gonna take a while!
What's up with those headlights?
Looks like the Bonny has pipes!
I detest, are those Sportster wheels!?
And is that really a Tiger fuel tank there?
Looks like the forks have been raked a bit. I guess that kind of determines where I'm going with this rebuild. I was hoping to maybe pull a street tracker out of one of the frames for my wife, but these are already low and hardtailed.
So this is what I have to work with. I look forward to getting home in a month or so. May the fun begin!
