When is enough enough

2100 Views 17 Replies 15 Participants Last post by Durbud, 15 d ago

bonza

Discussion Starter · 3 mo ago

here's the situation.

my bike has close to 200,000 kilometers clocked up on it. it's been around the block a few times, but I maintain it well, still runs great and since buying it new all those years ago I have done some performance and bolt on mods over the years to improve it.

but when do you stop? surely this bike isn't going to last forever.

a couple of years ago I got rear ended and the other party's insurance covered a new mud guard and a rear light. I bought a new Thruxton guard but didn't worry about the tail light as I simply just glued it back together. then last week the tail light fell apart, super glue only lasts so long.

I like the Maund Lucas tail light assembly, but would I be wasting my money on this bike?

however, I took the plunge and bought the Maund unit complete with indicators front and back. it's a quality unit and he is great to deal with.

I placed an order and contacted him over the interweb on his Sunday morning and explained that I need one fairly quick. he answered straight away, saying he has stock and will dispatch it first thing Monday. by that Friday it was on my doorstep. I was amazed, from the USA to Australia in less than a week. and it fitted perfectly. should have done it years ago as looks great. so a big shout out for Maund

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rodburner

· #2 · 3 mo ago

Bonz, as long as you keep up on the maintenance, buy a new or needed piece now and then and still like to look at her and ride it for fun, then enough will never come. I quit riding because my aches and pains said it was time, but parts of my bike are still in service, the engine most notably still punishes the back roads of Montana, in the frame of one of our long time Bonnie cohorts from back in the day. Look at all the clapped out or basket case Triumphs we looked at before we bought our bikes.No rule says your 50 year old bike needs to fall into those former categories to deserve some love and sprucing up. She’s still a fantastic looking bike..

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speedmaster2019

· #3 · 3 mo ago

Yea, ditto. It’s a great looking bike! And the tailight / indicator assembly looks terrific. As long as you still enjoy riding it, and looking at it, why not? 👍

Ge-Minigun

· #4 · 3 mo ago

This is just me. Apples to oranges…I have a 04 Toyota Tundra that I will not get rid of for the main reason I want to see how many miles I can get out of it…currently has 220k miles, my hope I still have it and drive it until I can no longer do that. I stated looking for something new to me last year when a light went off in my head…WHY!? Other than some slight body damage and scratched and dings, it’s in very good to excellent mechanical condition, so why spend $20k + on a “new” one, when this one has a lot of life remaining? Again, this is just me…not you…ride it into the ground…

CHRIS211083

· #5 · 3 mo ago

I'm on my Third Aircooled triumph twin Bonza.
I've gone away a few times but always come back. I just love them. The engine is such a sweet lump. Ride it all you can and modify it to your hearts content. As long as it makes you happy that's all that matters as money won't. These bikes in my mind are much better than the water cooled models too.

There's a reason you have kept it this long, theres nothing else quite like them.

HiDesert

· #6 · 3 mo ago

Keep on riding it! It's a beautiful bike, you say yourself it runs great. Relax and enjoy it! A one owner bike with 200 Megameters on it? Sweet!

leftarmlogan

· #7 · 3 mo ago

Nah, I think you should get rid of it. How soon can you ship it to western Pennsylvania? 😁

Reactions: 5

denoose

· #8 · 3 mo ago

Dittos on the Maund lighting accessories, great service and products...keep that bike, it looks great and is certainly serving you well! Maund lighting on my '14 Thruxton

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2011america

· #9 · 3 mo ago

My psychology about steel parts is: If they are not worn from use, then, they are like new. (Valves/bearings/chains/rings)
Why replace something that is like new?
Well oiled machine that is driven mildly most all the time does not really wear out steel.

DUCKMAN

· #10 · 3 mo ago

Elizabeth, my 2001 has 142,000 miles (225km). I faced reality at 103K when I burned up 5th gear. $1500 in parts to rebuild the transmission. My labor. 50% would have trade it or sell it immediately. 45% would let 5th gear sing until the transmission explodes. 4% would buy a complete used engine...I am the one precent that will fix it. As long as the cases are solid and frame is straight...and I can buy the parts Elizabeth gets fixed or updated.

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bonza

Discussion Starter · #11 · 3 mo ago

Back2-2 said:
@bonza and @DUCKMAN, either of you replace wheel bearings or service your swingarm pivot? I have 116k US miles on mine and always wondered if I should do those things preventively. But I haven't. Pretty sure I should leave the bearings alone until they cause problems, but don't want that to happen on the road. Pretty sure I should disassemble the swingarm and re-grease it all, but I kinda don't want to

I've never replaced the wheel bearings, but have replaced the steering head bearings as they were notched and had the swing arm apart last year to re-grease the bearings which were fine but found that the grease was drying out.
I do need to replace the rear tyre soon so may replace the rear wheel bearings as a preventative as they don't cost much anyway. did the front tyre recently and spinning the wheel it felt fine. lot more load on the rear wheel and it is load that shortens the life of bearings

DUCKMAN

· #12 · 3 mo ago

Steering head and Swing arm bearings where done about the same time as the transmission. Wheel bearings where done on the original wheels. The replacement wheels are still running the oem bearings. I bent a front wheel on pothole...Rear wheel rusted out...replace with late thruxton aluminum wheel. I rebuilt the original wheels with good used rims. These are saved as spares for future use.

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Broken spokes

· #13 · 3 mo ago

Treat it like Grandfather's axe. Four new handles and one new blade it's still going strong.

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Sal Paradise

· #14 · 2 mo ago

DUCKMAN said:
Elizabeth, my 2001 has 142,000 miles (225km). I faced reality at 103K when I burned up 5th gear. $1500 in parts to rebuild the transmission. My labor. 50% would have trade it or sell it immediately. 45% would let 5th gear sing until the transmission explodes. 4% would buy a complete used engine...I am the one precent that will fix it. As long as the cases are solid and frame is straight...and I can buy the parts Elizabeth gets fixed or updated.

I think I would fix it, if I could. Never fixed a motorcycle transmission but if it had a burned up part I could probably swap it out. If not I would go for a used motor.

photorich65

· #15 · 2 mo ago

in my semi-advanced age I'm learning to appreciate the worn in meshing of high mile engines and gears. My FJ has 365K, Subaru 165K, and Bonnie a mere baby at 10K... If you enjoy the style and ergonomics of the ride, no reason not to ride it into the proverbial sunset ;-)

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jerrybondy

· #16 · 1 mo ago

the choice is yours, but it still looks minty cool and to be one owner with 200k on the clock is just something else. Did your speedo last that far?

bonza

Discussion Starter · #17 · 1 mo ago

jerrybondy said:
the choice is yours, but it still looks minty cool and to be one owner with 200k on the clock is just something else. Did your speedo last that far?

yes, the speedo has lasted all this time. its an analogue speedo and odometer so have been wondering when or if it will crap itself. at 99,999 it goes back to zero

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Durbud

· #18 · 15 d ago

88,000 miles on this Bonnie, both tach and speedo still working the needles on both said buh bye however..........

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