1978 Triumph Bonneville 750cc

[DaveM]

I have just got this mail from Karin so any help here would be appreciated :y18:

Message:
I was asked by an elderly neighbor to do some research on his 1978 Triumph Bonneville 750cc with @ 7,500 miles, it doesn't run and needs some serious TLC. He'd like to know how many of them still exist and how much his bike is currently worth. Sadly, the only information I have about it is what I stated above. Could anyone please give me some information on it? Thanks in advance for your help!
Respectfully Submitted,
Karin

 

[Rocky]

Without actually seeing the bike it's nearly impossible to set a value on it in his local market or elsewhere, but it sounds like a good candidate for restoration. Value depends on how it was stored and cared for all these years and what the bike may need to be roadworthy.
How many still exist is also next to impossible to say.
As for "more information on it", I would need more specific questions.
I could quote specs, etc., from a book I have, but that may not be of much help - unless that's what he wants.

 

[CarlS]

Rocky is spot on. If Karin could send some photos, it would help. How good is the paint? The chrome? For a complete OIF bike, not running, I would say $1800 - $2500, depending on its condition and the location. Since the bike is not running, the low mileage does not really mean much. The engine has to be completely gone through. It is a good restoration candidate.

 

[The Seeker]

You never know....it may be something real simple keeping it from running OR it could be completely seized.

 

[CarlS]

Certainly, it could be a relatively simple problem that kept if from running. But as long as it has been sitting, I would want to completely go through the engine, clean the sludge out, check the bearings, look for rust, make sure the oiling system is working, etc.

 

[The Seeker]

....or get it started and watch it BLOW up!!!

You gotta admit that sometimes it's fun to see one just blow itself to bits...LOL!!

 

[CarlS]

Not when the numbers match!! :y114:

 

[The Seeker]

Ahhhh.....I just just love blowin' $h!# up !!! LOL

 

[CarlS]

I like to do that with C4; but not my engines! :y114:

 

[grandpaul]

Do as I SAY, not as I DO.

I SAY: overhaul it and enjoy it.

I DO: pour gas in 'em and try to get them to start, then see how they run!

Too many unknows to guess at value, but I still get $1,000 for complete engines needing total overhaul, and a decent bike that can be running with no more than a new battery, carb cleaning and oil change can go $5,000.

 

[Silli]

Where is this bike?????