Featured Potential New Triumph Owner

Discussion in 'Vintage Classics' started by HMC_MT, Nov 30, 2020.

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  1. HMC_MT

    HMC_MT Well-Known Member

    Nov 30, 2020
    174
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    Billings MT
    Hey all,
    New to the forum and am here for some potential purchase advice. I have a chance at a 64' Bonneville for what I think is a good price. I've only owned Japanese bikes and really never thought I'd have an old Triumph but now that the possibility is there, I have to admit I don't know much about the vintage Bonnevilles.

    The bike is a 64, one owner bike, who was a British specific mechanic. Title, British specific tools and bike manuals included. Bike hasn't ran for about 3 years as the owner passed.

    What is the bike worth and I would appreciate any info/history/tech/things to look for. Thanks in advance!

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  2. Adie P

    Adie P Crème de la Crème

    Jul 7, 2018
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    Hello and welcome HMC.

    First off, putting a figure on the "what is it worth?" hatpeg is a real hostage to fortune - ultimately it's worth exactly as much as you are willing to pay for it!

    In its current 'trim' it's a bit of a 'mongrel' - but not a dog! If it's genuinely registered as a 1964 bike then it's been modified in a number of ways - for instance, the TLS brake is definitely a '69 onwards fitment; the rear light, too, is (I think) a later item; the paint colour and scheme is of a later version. I can't make out the numbers stamped into the crankcase side and just visible in your last picture, but they will identify the year range if you check here :-

    https://www.tricor-andy.com/triumph-dating-information/

    The bike's 'market value' will be enhanced if engine and frame numbers match.

    It's obviously been fairly extensively modified - the finned points cover; rocker oil feed pipe and rocker cover caps are gloriously beautiful, period accessories - lovely! Maybe not so nice is the TR6 conversion to a single carb manifold! It's a Bonnie - it must have twin carbs., regardless of how much pain and angst you will suffer to keep them synched and in tune! Likewise the exhausts - a siamesed pipe in this country would scream "sidecar use" but hardly likely in Montana I'd have thought? Not so nice, either, the odd folding front footpeg - presumably a way to avoid crashing the shins on a hefty kickstart attempt. ;) Actually, I've just noticed that both front footpegs fold - possibly a sign it's had parts donated from a Trophy? And the oil tank filler neck extension/modification is practical but a bit unusual and positively NOT standard!

    I can't expand the images but, from what I can see, the mudguards (fenders) are probably aftermarket as they don't appear to have rolled edges.

    OK, so, this is all sounding like I'm trying to rain on your parade - for which I apologise. That's not my intention. If you want to restore the bike to its original state then you now have SOME idea of how much stuff you'll be buying and fitting to do it and, therefore, you have some negotiation ammo! In the final analysis, it's a mid-'60's Triumph and is, by definition, a thing of great beauty (and value). These are the very bikes that made Triumph a world leader in sales, technology and performance and are almost always worth owning, restoring and enjoying.

    If you want to see THE VERY BEST of restoration exemplars @darkman should be along very shortly with some pictures of his own unique and stunningly beautiful work.

    What's it worth? Whatever you can afford. Good luck with the purchase ....... I hope to see the resto. thread as it develops!
     
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  3. Ducatitotriumph

    Ducatitotriumph Crème de la Crème

    Apr 25, 2019
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    IHi there!
    I suppose that the best thing to do when you get it is to do quite a strip down of the bike and to see whats-what.
    As you’re aware, things perish and need replacing but going on the pics, not too bad at all.
    I'd definitely change those fuel hoses asap though first if you are going to ride it!!!
     
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  4. Ducatitotriumph

    Ducatitotriumph Crème de la Crème

    Apr 25, 2019
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    Brilliant write up @Adie P and very informative!!!
     
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  5. HMC_MT

    HMC_MT Well-Known Member

    Nov 30, 2020
    174
    93
    Billings MT
    Thanks for the quick reply guys. Awesome info. I'm not super happy to hear all the mods but I'm also okay that's it's not 100% original. I do know the guy knew his stuff and wish he was still alive to discuss why he made those changes. I enjoy the period correct changes.

    I guess my number one priority is the money I may potentially spend on it. I'd be selling two bikes to get this one. Are we talking 4000, 6000, 8000? It was listed at 8k which I felt was very high but I don't know Triumph values. There is wiggle room and I'm sure the seller will work with me when I can explain the state that is currently in.
     
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  6. Wessa

    Wessa Cruising

    Apr 27, 2016
    11,318
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    Hi and welcome...
     
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  7. Tiglet

    Tiglet Vintage Member

    Mar 28, 2016
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    Hello and welcome to the forum :)

    I would certainly use write up by Adie to haggle the price down a fair bit and hopefully darkman will be along soon with even more advice.
     
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  8. darkman

    darkman Crème de la Crème

    Oct 26, 2015
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    Hello HMC-MT are you in the US ?
     
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  9. darkman

    darkman Crème de la Crème

    Oct 26, 2015
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    Frame is 63-65 year only, pic of number would confirm. The rest is a 69 T120 inc engine that looks to be a re stamp ? need clearer pic.
     
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  10. HMC_MT

    HMC_MT Well-Known Member

    Nov 30, 2020
    174
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    Billings MT
    Yes
     
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  11. darkman

    darkman Crème de la Crème

    Oct 26, 2015
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    I run a few groups specialising in unit Triumphs and have just taken 2 picks that are in our advert section at random, first bike offers on 6k US$ and second 5.5 These are original running titled bikes. 121005669_10158654906975242_4960682585577533350_o.jpg

    117342053_10212873325907371_4994686432879861093_n.jpg
     
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  12. HMC_MT

    HMC_MT Well-Known Member

    Nov 30, 2020
    174
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    Billings MT
    So would 4500 be reasonable, 4000 US be the deal?
     
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  13. Tigcraft

    Tigcraft Unheard of Member

    Mar 29, 2014
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    Welcome in to the madhouse
     
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  14. darkman

    darkman Crème de la Crème

    Oct 26, 2015
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    As its not original numbers or parts bikes like yours go for 1.5 to 3k max in the US and are brought by people wishing to make choppers or part them out, just out of curiosity what would your plans be for the bike ?
     
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  15. David Cooper

    David Cooper Triumph Rocketeer.
    Subscriber

    Hello and welcome to the forum.

    98636c6ee64925a19858f8a491d300d2.gif
     
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  16. HMC_MT

    HMC_MT Well-Known Member

    Nov 30, 2020
    174
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    My plan would be just get it dialed in and enjoy it. It's not necessarily my dream to have a perfect original Triumph I just think it's a super cool bike. I'll be talking to her soon and see if I can get some more detailed pics of specifics. I do think if I offer her 2k when she started at 8k we just may be on completely different pages.
     
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  17. Adie P

    Adie P Crème de la Crème

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    HMC - you have the definitve information - @darkman is the REAL deal as far as expertise on mid '60's Triumphs goes. My "knowledge" is based on some memories and experience of the models that shaped my love of Trimphs in my teens; his is built on real world, practical experience of stripping, building, restoring and studying the things. He's the equivalent of the Encyclopediae Brittanica and I'd probably just about constitute the Index page!! On a good day. With luck he'll show us some pictures of his rebuild/restoration work. Please. :)

    No-one can tell you how much you should pay for the machine - if you want it - but the range suggested seems realistic given the disparity in engine and frame years. If you are prepared to make an offer you will need to bear in mind that, to get the bike into something near standard trim will demand an investment of, at very least, 4 to 5 times the purchase price!

    I'm tempted by the (1970?) model in the second pic. - especially at 5.5kUSD!!
     
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  18. darkman

    darkman Crème de la Crème

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    You just have to be honest with her and show her evidence as these bikes have had there day sadly, i friend is looking to by this in the US, built by a world renowned restorer and exported to the US and sold for 15K 3 years ago and now for sale for 8kUS and no interest as of yet :) at 2 you could just ride it as is and have some fun but don't spend on it.

    124025131_1599866840222227_6937030637996102922_n.jpg

    123929993_403974820739355_8412372505807801364_n.jpg
     
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  19. HMC_MT

    HMC_MT Well-Known Member

    Nov 30, 2020
    174
    93
    Billings MT
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  20. HMC_MT

    HMC_MT Well-Known Member

    Nov 30, 2020
    174
    93
    Billings MT
    Engine and frame number...

    Apparently this guy trained under Pat Owens, was his instructor at Cal tech in California. She also said he worked on a Steve Mcqueen team in the 70s.

    received_207978547474799.jpeg

    received_607443996616556.jpeg
     
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