'78 Bonneville Newbie

[PlanefunMike]

Hi Guys,

I just bought a '78 Bonneville. Love it!! There are a few tweeks I want to make to it to restore it back to the original setup and will periodically ask you guys for advice.

Looking forward to meeting you all.

Mike

 

[Rocky]

Hello and welcome to TT
Fire away with the questions.

 

[CarlS]

Hi Mike. Congratulations on the Bonnie and welcome to the forum from the opposite coast. I recommend that you document your rebuild with photos and good notes - and of course, post the the photos here for us Triumphphiles.

 

[The Seeker]

Wow...there's been a recent influx of T140 owners here of late!!

Hello and welcome to TriumphTalk from another '78 T140V owner in Pittsburgh!

We NEED to see photos of your Bonnie!!

 

[PlanefunMike]

Okay. I think I uploaded an album...trying to attach a pic her too.

My list of quick cosmetic tweeks to restore it to origial are:
1. Replace mirrors with original style (any idea where to get?)
2. Replace the air filters to the original (which I have), so I can put back on the original side covers which stay "Bonneville" (which I have). Thoughts?
3. Put back on the original round turn signals (which I have)
4. I'm considering putting on the original style long mufflers (which I think I have).

I apprecaite any and all input!

Mike

 

[The Seeker]

I can't seem to find your Gallery Photos????

 

[Ksquared]

Welcome to TT from Sunny South Florida.

 

[PlanefunMike]

I can't seem to figure how to upload pics. I suspect they may be too big!

 

[Ksquared]

Your Bonneville came through just fine. If there is a size problem with your picture, the Attachment Manager will tell you what it is and refuse to upload the picture until you correct it. And yes - the problem is usually size. The size limit for each format/file type is listed in the Attachment Manager.

BTW: I've never cared much for brown motorcycles, but yours is a STUNNER - Very SWEET!

 

[Rocky]

Triumph motorcycles were the hot ticket in California back in the day and there is still a huge following out there so finding a parts dealer in the state shouldn't be very hard.
Take a look in the forum "yellow pages" for leads to US parts dealers for British bikes.
I'm in Canada and I've dealt with Rask Cycle, British Only, British Cycle Supply and Domiracer, just to name a few.
BTW, I'm of the same view about a brown seat, but that's a nice one

 

[PlanefunMike]

Hey Rocky,

I agree about the brown seat. I'm considering changing it to black, but it's in such nice condition why spend the money?? I want to get the original brown side covers back on and see if that helps....I prefer to think of the color as "rootbeer"...

 

[devo]

hey mike
welcome to tt from nz
sweet looking bike mate
enjoy

 

[The Seeker]

Ahhhhh....yes, it's in VERY NICE condition!!!

I can sure see why you'd want to switch out the mirrors and megaphone pipes though.

Northern Eagle Cycle specializes in only the Oil In Frame model Triumphs....you may want to check out his mirrors and mufflers.

Are there Amal carbs behind those air filters? If you like the separate air filter look, but need to fill-in the space where the stock side covers go, you can get a "beauty kit" which consists of plastic covers which mimic the classic Triumph oil tank look. You can then add a Bonneville sticker to them.

I have Mikuni carbs on mine with Mikuni air filters similar to yours. This is what it looks like with the "beauty kit":

 

[otherwise]

AJ one of the reasons that I've never considered an OIF Triumph is the but ugly filtering system. Never knew of the "beauty kit", thanks for showing it. Next time one is offered I just may look at the bike in a different way.

 

[The Seeker]

They are very convincing fakes too!!!

 

[DaveM]

Hey Mike getting to this party a bit late but welcome to the forum