My Rare '79 Bonnie Electric Start Model

[Glenn]

I made it back from Lancaster, PA safe and sound. We actually came back through the country (Route 30) which took us through Gettysburg and the site of the major battle of the civil war. We enjoyed the sites around Lancaster. Places like Strasburg, Bird In The Hand, Climax, and Intercourse. We took a train ride through the Amish farm country. The bike starts great. No more kicking unless it is absolutely necessary. The rear belt drive is very quiet and smooth. I enjoyed my first ride on her very much. I was going riding today with a friend but the rain delayed our ride until tomorrow. I am hopefully attaching 3 pictures. One shows the external oil filter as well as the back side of the starter motor. The second picture shows the front side of the starter motor. The third picture shows the rear belt drive. If I use the stock guard (formally a chain guard) I will have to modify it since the belt is twice as wide as the chain. I actually like it open and may leave it that way. The starter motor is an aftermarket HD Sportster motor that he has been using for years. The external filter uses filters the same size filter made for HD Sportsters but is half the length. So, when I go to the HD store I will buy one and get two for one. He gave me the other half of the one that is in there now. I asked him if I should get rid of the stock basket filter, but he said no because as bad a job it does it will actually catch the big stuff and two are better than one. The bike starts and rides like a dream. It was well worth the wait and price. Triump definately made a mistake when they did not use his design in the mid '70's. They could have built a side cover that would have allowed the starter to fit as his does, but would be a part of the housing. He has to cut the cover and then put a small cover over the end of the starter gear. I am satisfied and will really enjoy this addition and upgrade very much. It will allow me to ride more that I did when I had to kick it. My knees really thank him.

 

[CarlS]

Very nice, Glenn. Thanks for the pics. I am glad it is working properly for you. Enjoy that ride!

 

[Dilligaf]

Great mods, I dig it!

 

[The Seeker]

That's really cool and he does nice work!!!

Glad you enjoyed Pennsylvania too.

I have to ask though.....what's the little in-line filter that you can see in the last two pics?

 

[DaveM]

He did a great job of it all that is for sure

 

[Glenn]

Gas filters. One for each carb.

 

[The Seeker]

That's what they looked like, but I wasn't sure because they are lower than the carbs. They obviously work OK that way.

 

[Glenn]

I actually had them mounted higher and when I took it to my Triumph Technician friend to find a problem that I could not solve he changed out the hose and the length of it.

 

[The Seeker]

Yes, liquid (gas) will always find it's way to the carbs as long as the carb inlet point is lower than the lowest point of the fuel tank.

If a long piece of hose hoops up and higher than the fuel petcock, then you may have a problem.

 

[Triumph Tom]

would love to see a pic of the entire machine! Where did you find the cool timing cover?

 

[grandpaul]

Very cool, I wonder how Bob is doing these days; last time we talked, I wasn't sure he'd still be making these much longer...

 

[Glenn]

The timing cover came from a company in the UK. The link to their site is below. Bob Swindells is the owner. A great guy.

http://www.frsservices.co.uk/

http://www.frsservices.co.uk/Motorcycles/Motorcycle parts/Triumph/Custom Meriden Triumph Parts.html

 

[The Seeker]

would love to see a pic of the entire machine! Where did you find the cool timing cover?

I got a points cover just like that one on eBay from Steadfast Cycles in California.

 

[Triumph Tom]

Beautiful. I Imagine she sounds righteous w/ those pipes and I very much dig the belt drive! I admit I am jealous .....

 

[Glenn]

Thanks guys for the positive comments. I am pretty sure Steadfast Cycles purchases these products from my buddy in the UK. I will have to admit that she sure does have a very distinctive sound. Very deep rumble. Like glasspack mufflers we use to run on our cars. I do like the rear belt drive. It gives the bike a nice smooth takeoff as well as a very smooth ride. I just put a pair of NGK BPR6EIX plugs in her today and can't wait to see if they make a difference. My friends tell me they are so much better so I will report back my opinion. Paul, I just talked to the old crusty rascal (Ozzie) a couple of days ago. I call him once a month to talk to him because he is a joy to talk to. I tell him that I have to call him ever so often because I don't subscribe to the Lancaster, PA newspaper and I would hate to miss his obituary. He just laughs and laughs. He will call me and say, How Is My Southern Dixie Rebel Friend Doing. I tell him that he lives in southern PA which makes us both southerners. He has a wealth of knowledge about Triumphs as well as Nortons. At this point he has slowed down and no longer works all day long when the weather is miserable hot or freezing cold. But he is still making the electric start and rear belt drive systems as well as rebuilding Triumphs and Nortons. BTW my '79 won 3rd place in the show where I took the pictures. The big surprise was that this was a HD/custom bike show. My Bonnie was the only non HD/custom bike there.

 

[grandpaul]

BTW my '79 won 3rd place in the show where I took the pictures. The big surprise was that this was a HD/custom bike show. My Bonnie was the only non HD/custom bike there.

No big suprise, really. Winning and placing well in bike shows with classic Triumphs is a regular happening, due to thier relative scarcity in the general biking population, So, typically, they draw bigger crowds at fat tire chopper and custom cruiser shows than all the others.

Congrats!

 

[CarlS]

Congrats on on the third place! That is one gorgeous Bonnie. Thanks for the pics.

 

[Sea Dog]

Well done at the show! Your Bonnie is a beautiful piece of work. The starter, oil filter and belt drive are super high quality and blend nicely with the bike......nice work!

 

[Triumph Tom]

Being as you are in PA , Im a couple, few hours away This may interest you http://buffalo.craigslist.org/mcd/3137610794.html

 

[Triumph Tom]

Because your bike looks so stock at 1st, yet has so many neat mods, I thought I would share w/ you mine. When my Dad 1st got it in 1980 the 1st thing he did was shorten the turn signals, It makes for a slimmer looking machine. (not that Im into hacking em up). But a good mod is a good mod.