Diff between European model and U.S. model of '79 Tri 750 Bonne "Special"?

[Freebooter]

Hello all,
I am buying this 1979 Triumph 750 Bonne "Special" from a guy here in Alabama, USA. I have been told and read that there is a difference between the ones designated for the British/European market and the U.S. market. If so, what are those differences please?

Also, as for differences I have noticed in/on both owners manuel and the bike: I ordered this owner's manual from ebay but pics in it and some of the info does not seem just like the one I am buying. For example pics in the owners manual I ordered show the bike with a two into one exhaust going into one muffler on the right side. Mine has two exhausts to two mufflers on each side. The ends of the mufflers are sort of open showing several small pipes or something ending at the opening. And the carburetors shown in the owners' maneul are different than mine. Also, a funny type of squared pen stripe edging design around the Triumph name on the tank, and also double lines below the Bonneville "Special" designation on the side covers. My bike does not have that on the tank or the side cover. Just the standard two color tank I have seen on all old Triumphs in this country, with the bit of pen striping between the two colors. And mine has a plain black side cover with a slight indention with "Special" on an enameled little thing held to the side cover by screws if I am not mistaken. Would the owners' manual I ordered possibly be for a British/European market bike and the pics in it for a British/Euro market bike?
Thanks,
Freebooter
Alabama, USA

 

[grandpaul]

They are essentially the same bike (all 750 models for that year)

The differences are mostly cosmetic.

I've seen that bike on the forums before, I recognize the photo. Ask the seller what forum(s) he's been on.

If I remember right, it's a T140E. Wire spoked wheels and dual pipes are standard, but those are aftermarket mufflers.

The T140D is the "Special" with the 2-into-1 exhaust, cast wheels and Black paint w/ Gold striping.

So it's either a "D" model with a re-paint & different mufflers, or an "E" model with cast wheels.

 

[Freebooter]

Grandpaul,
I have posted this pic several times on forums. Probably my posts you have seen.
Freebooter

 

[grandpaul]

I'm not sure if it might have been the seller that posted somewhere before.

Anyway, sounds like a done deal, so get the bike home and give it a good once-over and report back.

 

[Freebooter]

Grandpaul, the guy I bought it from got it from Skinner's Triumph shop, which caters to classic Triumphs, a few years ago. Perhaps they had it n the market for a while and posted pics in places. And perhaps the guy I am getting it from did. Never know. It runs like a top!!

 

[grandpaul]

Skinner's (Auburn, right?) is good folks. I bought a Norton engine from the guy; actually traded him some Triumph stuff in a barter deal. I'd trust him on the bike, for sure.

By the way, my son is stationed at Rucker, and he's into bikes, for what it's worth...

 

[Freebooter]

Yeah, he told me Skinners had rebuilt the engine, painted the tank, etc. They might have been the ones that added the after market exhaust system. But the rest is "Special". I looked up the engine number and it is a "Special". I didn't really care about all that anyway. After missing my old 1978 Triumph 750 Tiger all these years, I was just jumping on anything within that year range and in good shape. In fact, I would rather have a Tiger model because I liked the single carb. I am no mechanic and I like the idea of a single carb=less maintenance, synchronizing, etc.

I wish your son well. I think Ft. Rucker is down around Dothan, way south Alabama. Where are y'all from?

 

[grandpaul]

I'm in Laredo, Texas, two day's driving distance.

 

[Freebooter]

Whew! Your son IS a long way from home! Does he have a bike? Ride much? I know you miss him. My oldest lives in Montgomery 15 miles away and if I don't see him and his family at least once a week I go to missing them! LOL!
Take care ol' buddy!
Freebooter