RapidoRaptor

My first motorcycle was a 1969 Triumph Bonnie, Never had a bike that started on 2nd kick every time never failed unless I did something wrong like foul plugs with tomuch gas. Wonderful fun ride and was too fast for my 180lbs of youth looking for speed. My only ride now is a Harley, not as fast but more confortable and no vibrations like that triumph did. I lost so many parts off of that bike it was increadable.

Anyone out there owned a 60's model Triumph and never found a replacement for it.

RapidoRaptor.

Scotbiker

I rode a '69 T110 recently for the first time since the early seventies. I thought it was awful in every way except for the memories it brought back. The big Jap fours that I've been riding in recent years are better in every way. 2 or 3 times the power, decent brakes, no vibration, good handling, no puddle of oil in the road. Bikes have come a long way thank goodness

RapidoRaptor

Hey Fellow ScottBiker

Back in the days when I bought mine brand new, there was only a Kawie that was faster. At the time 1969, Nothing was up to the T120 for for speed and endurance. But I sure lost a lot of parts. Most just fell off while driving down freeway. I would buy Loctyte by the case. Still wound not help much. Still loved the bike. Kind of makes you tingley all over, or was that the Vibration. Still I would love to have that bike back.

I'm 50% Scottish and 50% Italian and 100% American (Yank)

RapidoRaptor

Scotbiker

Hi RapidoRaptor, is that to do with a Cagiva Raptor or are we talking birds of prey?
You're right of course, the Bonnie was the ultimate object of desire back then, and very fast by the standards of the time. I wouldn't like one as my everyday bike now though.
We Scots get everywhere, eh? I have to admit to being English actually, I moved up here 30 years ago!
I'm off to Portugal for a week tonight to get some sun, so I won't be able to visit until after easter.
Enjoy the weekend.

RapidoRaptor

God no, I would never ride it for long distance or everyday. I like to keep the feeling in my hands.

Actually it I'm more of a Chivas Raptor. I enjoy a good nip or two a day after a nice ride.

RapidoRaptor.

Ralphy

Hey Guys,

Has anyone tried out the new Triumph Bonneville ?? Brand new vertical twin engine, and the brand new Bonneville America is a beauty. I'm hoping to have a test ride on one soon, so I'll report back, ( my wife has already forbidden me to buy one !! )

Ralphy

RapidoRaptor

Wonderful looking, Brings back old memories. To bad about the Factory Fire.

Rapido

Ralphy

Hi Rapido,

Too bad indeed. Fortunately they say that it shouldn't cause a major problem for production overall. I have heard that the factory had expanded quite a bit over the last ten years as their success had grown, and the fire only damaged a relatively small part.

They are making some excellent machines at the moment, many of which actually beat the Japanese manafacturers at their own game, ( poetic justice I think !! ). They certainly deserve some luck, and I wish them all the best in getting over this set back.

Ride safe

Ralphy

newfland

After 20 years of riding, I bought my first British bike last year, a 1970 Bonneville T120 with 1969 TR6 bottom end. It came in boxes and a friend who knows more than I helped put it all back together. Just got it on the road this spring, it still needs some cosmetics, but has new pistons and rings, and barrels bored to 60 thou over -- turning the 650 into 700 -- and ticks over beautifully. Must say I'm pleasantly surprised at the ride. More power than I expected for such ancient technology, and given its light weight, it's great fun to ride. I'm still nervous about throwing it into corners though, with everything rattling and shaking. Already the exhaust has worked itself loose, and I've lost a nut on the front fender that was over a lock washer. Tach and speedo needles just wave at me like high-speed wipers, so i have no idea how fast I'm going. It will never be a show room bike, just a lot of fun to ride around town.

RapidoRaptor

Yes, I remember the waving of the speedo and tach, the tingley fingers, feet and ***. Just ignore and ride. You have one of the most enjoyable bikes I've ever ridden. Yes, I remember the gas smell on my fingers (needed to start the Bonnie) and the oil drips on the breather (drips on chain then on ground). The bike weighs very little and has a very effecient and responsive throttle. Get a good set of tires and don't be afraid to ride in the dirt. The Bonnie is a good dirt road machine and you should have fun ridding it like a dirt tracker. Just lean it over, turn the throttle and drive the bike into the corner with a slide. That is something you may never expearance on the Cafe Racers or a heavy turing machine. Companys are still trying to keep that desigin working, just look around you will see some companys selling a retro version, I know Yamaha has a version out but it is a little heavy. No one hit the mark in 1967 to 1969 at Isle of Man races like the "Bonnie".

Enjoy your rebuildt ride, and welcome to BikerForums.org
Rapido

newfland

I'm considering riding the Trumpet to the Atlantic Vintage TT, a vintage motorcycle and sidecar race held in Schubenacadie, Nova Scotia every year mid-July. (http://www.britcycle.com/atlanticVintage.htm). They race a lot of British bikes a hell of a lot older than mine. It's supposed to be a fantastic event. Trouble is it's about 1,000 miles round trip for me, with about 20 hours of ferry rides thrown in, and I'm not sure the bike (or me) is up for it. We'll see how the summer progresses. I've also got a 1985 Yamaha FZ750 which could cover the distance in half the time.
Anyone out there ever been to the event?