[Lez90]

I have been offered a share into business opportunity and theres part of me toying with the idea of selling my beloved Bonnie to help fund it.
I’m still in two minds about it - partly because I don’t have a clue what its worth - and I’d probably end up wanting to buy it back in a year or two.

Any of you guys know what its worth?

Its a 2001 Carb model, with 5,200 miles on and I have a letter with the bike stating that it was the 4th Bonneville to come of the Hinckley line.
When I brought it I wanted a bike that looked old but rode like new, so I’ve down the following:
Added Rev counter from later models (keeping the original speedo in place)
Removed the secondary Air injection system.
Uprated and balanced the carbs with 41 pilot jets set to 3 and 128 main jets
Fitted Thruxton Carb needles with a .5mm shim to give more mid-range
Removed the baffle & snorkel from the airbox
Fitted a K&N Air Filter
Changed to a Blue Flame coil and leads
Fitted an hi flow bell-mouth
Upgraded the exhaust to a pair of Norman Hyde Togas with the mutes removed
Fitted larger (110 & 150) A40 Adventure tyres
Upgraded the brakes to EBC HH slintered steel
Change the gearing ratios with a 19t sprocket for higher top speed and a more relaxed cruise.
Added larger exhaust fins to help cooling
Upgraded the clutch to an EBC heavy duty to cope with the extra power
Added a grab rail
Changed the seat to a British classic two-tone
Added a headlight guard.
Fitted original knee pads from a 1968 bike
Changed to smaller bar-end mirrors
Fitted fork gaiters.
Changed to smaller indicators
Added a chrome chain guard
Fitted smaller indicators
Added a 1967 Tax disc with period holder
Upgraded the warning lights to brighter LEDs.


So what do you think its worth?

 

[ND BonnieT100]

That would be 1 tough bike to part with, given its pedigree and beautiful condition. However, to get top money, you are going to have to find that certain collector that appreciates it. Rather than selling it, can you get a loan against the bike as collateral and then keep it? A bank might appreciate the bike more and give a decent loan and rate?

 

[Felony]

Just my opinion but I don't see a bank seeing any collateral value in a motorcycle unless it's a documented high value collectible and even then, are they going to want to try and sell the bike if the loan is not repaid? Being in the US I don't know what the UK value would be. I've seen a couple in the $5K range and one at $8K with a 944 engine kit. US market of course. Why such low mileage?

 

[MarlinSpike]

Les, being an old Bonneville bike guy. Old being that early 2000's clan. I hate to say, but our bikes are only worth what you can get out of someone that just wants the older bikes and they want a clean ready to go unit.
I paid $3200 for my bike back in 2014. It's worth about that now and that's how it is. it's spotless clean, an anniversary edition and the only person that cares is someone that likes the color and wants a carbed old Triumph bike to ride. No one is really going to care enough about the history of your bike to make much $$$$ difference.
It's just what it is. Also, I hate to say - there are fewer and fewer of us carbed bike guys left that want a carb bike, regardless of any "special" Editions or numbers produced or where inline it was.
If it's clean, priced for what a 2001 Triumph Bonneville is selling for, it will sell. Over-priced because of XYZ..... Nope.

Sorry, and I hope if you decide to sell that jewel, you prove me way wrong!

 

[grebmrof]

I would suggest you sell it for whatever you can get for it...probably in the $4,000 to $4,500 (U.S. $) range and invest the money in the business you are looking at. Buy another or a later year air cooled bike when you can afford it and don't look back. I doubt you'd find any bank interesting in giving you a loan on the bike, it really isn't all that special. Usually aftermarket pieces/parts you don't recover what you spent on them - if you removed this or that, those pieces are not worth all that much - I know this is hard to believe, but that is pretty much the reality on bikes. The '01 was nice, but later years were probably better machines. My '08 carb model (U.S.) is far better than the '01 Bonneville that I had purchased new. Good luck with all of this...

 

[Lez90]

Thanks chaps,
The first Hinckley bonnie went to the John Bloor, the second and third were press bikes, which makes this the first customer bike ever made. I know some people don't not think thats special, but I think its pretty cool and have decided to keep it.

I've been rebuilding cars, bikes and aircraft for 40 years and was a team captain on Scrapheap challenge (if you remember that - Series 11 episode 11) and have kept all the original parts, so if I ever decide to sell it, I think I'll put it all back to stock (would take me an hour or so).

 

[MarlinSpike]

It is cool - Way Cool!
Sometimes it's fun to just keep something rather you use it often or not, if it makes you grin when you look at it - it's a keeper.

 

[Lez90]

It is cool - Way Cool!
Sometimes it's fun to just keep something rather you use it often or not, if it makes you grin when you look at it - it's a keeper.

Exactly, 99.9% of my riding is done on my Bobber. The Bonnie is eye candy for my garage 😉

 

[FLY-TRI-GUY]

In your first post I understand what u where saying about your bikes historical value and felt u where low balling yourself, but I see u figured it out and decide to hold on to it. Maybe u can get some sort of a lone for your business adventure. If u r single find u a surgar mamma…lol
well I hope it all works out for u Lez with this business opportunity, good luck!…FTG

 

[henrydotson]

That would be 1 tough bike to part with, given its pedigree and beautiful condition. However, to get top money, you are going to have to find that certain collector that appreciates it. Rather than selling it, can you get a loan against the bike as collateral and then keep it? A bank might appreciate the bike more and give a decent loan and rate?

It's just my opinion, but I don't see a bank seeing any collateral value in a motorbike unless it's a verified high value collectable, and even then, will they want to attempt and sell the bike if the loan is not returned. You can get more information at https://fitmymoney.com/can-you-pay-credit-card-with-credit-card/ about loans and finance.

 

[2011america]

Being someone who has tried and failed at business ventures I would say this: If you are so under-capitalized that you need to sell your stuff simply to get started then... you may soon find yourself in quicksand.

PLUS... how long and hard will you need to work simply to get another Bonnie? Why go round in circles? Just go riding.

 

[OldRider48]

Thanks chaps,
The first Hinckley bonnie went to the John Bloor, the second and third were press bikes, which makes this the first customer bike ever made. I know some people don't not think thats special, but I think its pretty cool and have decided to keep it.

I've been rebuilding cars, bikes and aircraft for 40 years and was a team captain on Scrapheap challenge (if you remember that - Series 11 episode 11) and have kept all the original parts, so if I ever decide to sell it, I think I'll put it all back to stock (would take me an hour or so).

You made the right decision. Given what the bike is currently "worth", you can get that much on your credit card.
Given enough time, that bike will increase in value. To tell you the truth too, even though the mods made are appropriate, the value in such a bike is decreased by them for long term value. The old adage, "they're only original once" hold true.
Keeping the original parts is wise. You were "wise" not to sell the bike IMHO.

 

[Stephen Hall]

You made the right decision. Given what the bike is currently "worth", you can get that much on your credit card.
Given enough time, that bike will increase in value. To tell you the truth too, even though the mods made are appropriate, the value in such a bike is decreased by them for long term value. The old adage, "they're only original once" hold true.
Keeping the original parts is wise. You were "wise" not to sell the bike IMHO.

I have been offered a share into business opportunity and theres part of me toying with the idea of selling my beloved Bonnie to help fund it.
I’m still in two minds about it - partly because I don’t have a clue what its worth - and I’d probably end up wanting to buy it back in a year or two.

Any of you guys know what its worth?

Its a 2001 Carb model, with 5,200 miles on and I have a letter with the bike stating that it was the 4th Bonneville to come of the Hinckley line.
When I brought it I wanted a bike that looked old but rode like new, so I’ve down the following:
Added Rev counter from later models (keeping the original speedo in place)
Removed the secondary Air injection system.
Uprated and balanced the carbs with 41 pilot jets set to 3 and 128 main jets
Fitted Thruxton Carb needles with a .5mm shim to give more mid-range
Removed the baffle & snorkel from the airbox
Fitted a K&N Air Filter
Changed to a Blue Flame coil and leads
Fitted an hi flow bell-mouth
Upgraded the exhaust to a pair of Norman Hyde Togas with the mutes removed
Fitted larger (110 & 150) A40 Adventure tyres
Upgraded the brakes to EBC HH slintered steel
Change the gearing ratios with a 19t sprocket for higher top speed and a more relaxed cruise.
Added larger exhaust fins to help cooling
Upgraded the clutch to an EBC heavy duty to cope with the extra power
Added a grab rail
Changed the seat to a British classic two-tone
Added a headlight guard.
Fitted original knee pads from a 1968 bike
Changed to smaller bar-end mirrors
Fitted fork gaiters.
Changed to smaller indicators
Added a chrome chain guard
Fitted smaller indicators
Added a 1967 Tax disc with period holder
Upgraded the warning lights to brighter LEDs.


So what do you think its worth?

You made the right decision. Given what the bike is currently "worth", you can get that much on your credit card.
Given enough time, that bike will increase in value. To tell you the truth too, even though the mods made are appropriate, the value in such a bike is decreased by them for long term value. The old adage, "they're only original once" hold true.
Keeping the original parts is wise. You were "wise" not to sell the bike IMHO.

Do you still have the Bonneville Lez? If you do and you are interested in selling it id be interested in buying it. How did you manage to find out about the first one going to Jon Bloor etc?

 

[Lez90]

Do you still have the Bonneville Lez? If you do and you are interested in selling it id be interested in buying it. How did you manage to find out about the first one going to Jon Bloor etc?

I've still got it, I met a chap at Destination Triumph who told me, apparently the story of the first bike and the press bikes were in a magazine that he read.

 

[Sal Paradise]

I beg to differ with some of our esteeemed Bonneville owners/posters. I think its worth a bit more. I like the idea that its the first customer sold Bonny and I like the color. The carbed bikes are not that plentiful and your mileage is low. I'd say , depending on some variables, I'd pay a bit more. I'd say its a $5500 ( 4600 GBP) bike here in the NYC area.

 

[Lez90]

I already turned down an offer of £5,000. Still unsure if I'm keeping it or not, but I do have someone interested, so I'll have to make up my mind soon.

 

[Quirkymart]

So what did you pay for it last year? I'd guess its still worth that.

 

[jerrybondy]

maybe just me, but the collectible value of it being so early is negated by it not being stock, its now just another non standard bonnie, a very nice bike, but altered from stock.
To maximise its potential rarity/collector value you need to return it to stock imo

 

[Johnrockerldn]

3500-4k i reckon.

 

[Quirkymart]

3500-4k i reckon.

Far price as it's been messed with, originality is the thing that would make the bike worth more