Early T140: Newbie Buying Advice Please

Hi All,

I have just joined the forum (first post) and am looking for some advice please. I am an engineering ex-biker, who in my youth owned and tinkered with many bikes, from commuter 125 singles up to big Jap race reps. My wife and I both gave up bikes when kids came along and over the last 15+ years have taken to buying and restoring classic vintage cars.

However, I remain a biker at heart and have really missed having one but realise that at my age I would soon kill myself on a modern sports bike and they don't really 'do it' for me anymore. So recently, when spotted a restoration project Bonnie I got to thinking that I could indulge both my passion for bringing old stuff back to good as new and at the end of it, have a bike to ride around the local country lanes.

So, the bike I am looking at was registered on 28th June 1973. It is a US Import (peanut tank and high bars) with matching numbers and showing only 11,200 miles on the odometer, although there is no paperwork to confirm whether this is correct. This bike is supplied with a NOVA certificate and a copy of the dating certificate from The Triumph Owners Motor Cycle Club. The bike is complete and the engine turns over and it is a good restoration candidate.

I have been reading up about Bonnies for some time as I always thought it would be a good classic to own so I have a reasonable knowledge but this bike has me a little confused. It is a T140V so has the 5-speed box but the lever is on the right (not the left as I thought T140s have) and the brakes are drum, rather than disk. I know that the rear disc was a later addition but I thought T140s had the single front disk / Lockheed caliper from 1st production.

Can anyone help with these questions please and offer any buying advice to a novice Bonnie Buyer?
Thanks,
Ian

Here are some pictures:

 

Thanks Bruno,

Good spot! I hadn't noticed the lack of indicators yet but I guess they will be available and as I will likely replace the wiring loom anyway, I am not too concerned about the potential lack of connections. I imagine the grab rail will be available either on eBay hare or from the US.

However, I am not too keen on the high bars so it might be worth building this bike as a period UK spec and keeping the original parts with the bike for future owner originality, if wanted. What are the general views of non-originality with Bonnevilles? I know that in the case of my restored Triumph TR3a car, originality (bar a few sensible mods, such as brakes, R&P steering) is paramount but is this the same for classic bikes? This US spec bike would in my opinion be much better with lower bars, twin front disc conversion, red/black colour scheme, etc but would this be a bad thing to do?

Cheers,
Ian

 

Thanks Chaps. Will go and have a proper look at it this weekend

 

Thank David!