Didier from Belgium, new on this forum. Ride a 1970 T120R Bonneville

[DT120R70]

Hello everyone,

My name is Didier and I live in Belgium.
I drove small and medium motorcycles from 16 to +/- 25 years old.
I am 55 years old now and started riding again in 2013.
First on a reasonable Honda CB 500 from 1997, a very easy and pleasant twin.
2 years ago, I stumbled on a "Bonnie" for sale, and I cracked, I bought it.
For me, the "Bonneville" is "The" bike. There is no other, there is only her. But I just thought it was impossible to find one and I thought I would never even have the opportunity to try one for a few miles.
So when it came, I did not hesitate.
And I am here today to share information and good practices with those who want to share their knowledge and experience.
I'm not too bad in mechanics, but I'm not "good" either. I try to do everything alone. I am lucky to be able to get help and advice from a friend who has had several "Bonnies" and another who works a lot on old English motorcycles and others.
I learn little by little, and when I am at my limit, I try to understand, to acquire the technique and to go forward.

My goal is to have a good time on the road with this Bonneville T120R from 1970.
So i do what is necessary for that "Bonnie" to can start and ride daily.
I like motorbike rides with friends, or just go to work and back home (35 miles X 2).
I am not looking for a museum object that remains behind a window.
What I like too, are the moments spent at the garage, alone or with friends.

You noticed that my English is not perfect, my mother tongue is French, sorry for that.

Respectful greetings and good road to all,

Didier

 

[Qship]

Welcome from Eastern Canada.
Nice intro and glad you are on a bike you really like.
Jump in and enjoy the forum. We are a friendly bunch who will assist whenever possible.

 

[Rocky]

Hello and welcome to TT from another eastern Canadian
Your English is fine. No problem at all
Thanks for the very nice introduction

 

[Greyfell]

Well written introduction. Welcome from Northern California.

 

[DT120R70]

Thanks for this warm welcome.

Some details about this T120R:

Matching numbers, as they say.
Produced in June 1970 in Meriden.
Exported to France.
First registration late 70.
Only one official owner known during his first life in France.
Has lived many adventures and successive transformations with this owner and his family.
Presumably crashed (one or more times).
I'm afraid the frame is crooked > to be confirmed
Received a disc brake at the front, don't know when and why (maybe as a repair after an accident).
Abandoned.
Takeover in Luxembourg by a friend of the original owner (a gift from him ?)
Restored and rebuilt by this friend and his son.
The son sold it to me when his dad passed away.
Restoration and reconstruction seem to have been done with heart, but without knowledge of this type of motorcycle.

Weaknesses:
The electric part is a not very nice mixture of old and modern.
The painting is pretty, but fragile.
Many seals and washers have been abused ore not properly mounted (engine and fork)
The saddle is to redo, I put a reproduction in the meantime.
Original shock absorbers are "cooked".
Many original pieces are missing.
Shortened exhaust pipes and very noisy silencers: replaced by new made in england mufflers and used original pipes.
Tyres from 1982 (Michelin).
Wheels are not original, but good.

For safety, I added Lucas flashers this winter.

The main thing:
It works, starts now when I want and we have a lot of fun together on the road.

Have a nice road,

Didier

 

[Greyfell]

So, you have a bike you can love by riding, and one you can show love to by making proper improvements on it.

 

[Rocky]

So, you have a bike you can love by riding, and one you can show love to by making proper improvements on it.

As he said, enjoy the bike as a riding restoration and make the improvements when you can and as you go along.

 

[triumph david]

TO TT.

 

[DT120R70]

Thanks for the new welcomes and the comments.

When I decided to ride again on a motorcycle, it was to find the pleasure of moving with sensations that no other vehicle offers.
It was also to share good times with friends.
The simple fact of going to work on a motorbike gives me a lot of fun, almost relaxation.
And the moments spent with friends to ride, talk motorcycle or work in the garage are very precious to me.
I have a lot of respect and admiration for those who are able to bring an old motorcycle back to its original state, close to new, but it's not my priority.
I have little time for the bike, so I optimize it by driving as much as possible.
The improvements of the bike will be over time, depending on the opportunity of the parts to find and the increase of my knowledge.
I will post photos and comments on this, but I believe there are sections of the forum reserved for that.

Thank you for your support.
Good road to all,

Didier