Long Time Rider Looking For Buying Advice

[Greyfell]

Certainly is nice looking.

 

[OldRider48]

Certainly is nice looking.

Thanks ! Your bike begat this bike. I will always appreciate that!

 

[unclescratch]

Seems many of these Bonnevilles exhibit blued pipes. Comments?

 

[sikatri]

As far as I’ve understood it’s pretty normal. Mine certainly has it.

 

[OldRider48]

As far as I’ve understood it’s pretty normal. Mine certainly has it.

I agree. I've had the Blue to golden discoloration on every bike I've ever had that used single wall exhaust pipes. It just been a matter of degree.

 

[unclescratch]

O.K. Thanks for the comments.

 

[tobyb]

Here is my opinion of the Hinckley Bonnies, after owing a number of them along with the Meriden twins and triples. 02 790 brought new and still have done 80,000 klms. Nil issues, modified with K& N airfilter, moded air box re-jetted carbs and muffler. Bobber 'black' great performance, terrible handling on rural roads, changed rear shock bugger all difference, dealers don't tell you max load of the bike is 125 kg, Speed twin is the same. . 2020 Street Twin traded Bobber on it, great looking and comfortable machine. Very disappointed with performance, it was no better then my 'old' 02 model.
Be careful of the 05/06 Bonnies they often had electrical issues. There where problems with the ECU particularly when the machine is regulaly ridden with a pillion passenger. The Triumph Mech I know found the problem was related to the plastic seat base. It can become compressed over time and when the passenger is on-board their body weight sits on the ECU mounted on the back guard under the seat tail. He made an aluminium cover for them and it solved the problem.

 

[OldRider48]

Here is my opinion of the Hinckley Bonnies, after owing a number of them along with the Meriden twins and triples. 02 790 brought new and still have done 80,000 klms. Nil issues, modified with K& N airfilter, moded air box re-jetted carbs and muffler. Bobber 'black' great performance, terrible handling on rural roads, changed rear shock bugger all difference, dealers don't tell you max load of the bike is 125 kg, Speed twin is the same. . 2020 Street Twin traded Bobber on it, great looking and comfortable machine. Very disappointed with performance, it was no better then my 'old' 02 model.
Be careful of the 05/06 Bonnies they often had electrical issues. There where problems with the ECU particularly when the machine is regulaly ridden with a pillion passenger. The Triumph Mech I know found the problem was related to the plastic seat base. It can become compressed over time and when the passenger is on-board their body weight sits on the ECU mounted on the back guard under the seat tail. He made an aluminium cover for them and it solved the problem.

Thanks for the ECU tip. I put a Burton DS033 seat with a proper metal base on my '07 . Looks like a problem averted even though I never carry a passenger. Good tip though!!!

Which bike was your favorite? Any pix?