Hello from me and My "modern" bike

Discussion in 'Newbies Hangout' started by camman, Jun 7, 2015.

  1. camman

    camman Member

    Jun 7, 2015
    20
    8
    christchurch dorset
    Hi everybody,
    Just to introduce myself and my "modern to me" 1980 T140E American spec Bonnie (just a 35 year old baby).
    My next newest bike is a 1957 C12.....and me, I am 1949 vintage.
    Have had the T140 for just over a year now, spent the first six months sorting out many issues caused by hamfisted previous owner....a motor cycle mechanic:eek:
    Now has HC pistons, Makuni carbs, Pazon E.I. etc, and is now an easy starter, oil tight, and reliable bike....and quite usable on modern roads and traffic.
    There are some great rides down here on the south coast, and I have covered nearly 5000 miles in just six months.....which is 2000 more than I have done on the C12 in 9 years!
    Now I am retired I have considered getting a "proper modern Triumph" ....but for me the between runs fettling is part of the fun....yes, I am weird:rolleyes:
    Graham

    Bonneville T140V.jpg
     
  2. MetalliKarl

    MetalliKarl Active Member

    Mar 15, 2015
    62
    28
    UK, Germany and Touring
    Camman man yeaa camman get on board .....modern you say ? Hmmm I have heard these things exist ..welcome
     
  3. camman

    camman Member

    Jun 7, 2015
    20
    8
    christchurch dorset
    Thanks....its better looking than me, that's for sure.
    Its looking particularly happy there as it was just back from a sunny spin round The Purbecks:)
     
  4. camman

    camman Member

    Jun 7, 2015
    20
    8
    christchurch dorset
    Well if that's not modern...I must be ancient!
     
  5. sprintdave

    sprintdave Nurse, think it's time for his medications.
    Subscriber

    May 25, 2014
    1,548
    750
    Birmingham
    I used to have a 78 US spec Bonnie,loved it but it was forever breaking down (only minor stuff tho and usually running again in no time),having said that mine was the only bike of 4 that didnt break at all while we were at the TT in 79, 2 hondas and one yamaha. I still think they are one of the best looking bikes ever and yours is in the best colour,mine was in bronze and gold which were not popular. I loved the Bonnie coz I rode it all through two winters and it never failed to get me where I had to go no matter how much snow or ice, now the Sprint I ride today is a different kettle of fish, a very top heavy old girl but soooo much power.
    Ride safe and enjoy
     
  6. camman

    camman Member

    Jun 7, 2015
    20
    8
    christchurch dorset
    I find the Bonnie light and easy to ride....I suspect most of your breakdowns were electrical or ignition problems??, the Lucas E.I. fitted to 80 model was better, but even better if replaced with Pazon or Boyer, and even better again if zener is binned and replaced with a decent 2 phase solid state regulator/rectifier unit. IMO
    Talking of heavy bikes...the K100 I had, had to go after I dropped it in the gravelly yard it is pictured in.....I had to call out to get two neighbours to pull the dirty great thing off me:(
     
  7. camman

    camman Member

    Jun 7, 2015
    20
    8
    christchurch dorset
    "The gravelly yard that it is pictured in"....that I forgot to upload:rolleyes:

    12 005.jpg
     
  8. sprintdave

    sprintdave Nurse, think it's time for his medications.
    Subscriber

    May 25, 2014
    1,548
    750
    Birmingham
    yes mate, good old joe lucas electrics, easy to fix by the roadside tho unlike leccy ignition when it plays up. I agree tho they are so good nowadays.

    yes that looks like a gravelly yard and a big heavy beamer.lol funny how we always forget stuff when we get......... now what was I saying??,oh yes, OLD,lol
     
  9. thebiglad

    thebiglad Old fart, still riding !

    Sep 25, 2013
    5,066
    1,000
    Central France
    Hello Graham and welcome into the Triumph playground - that's a lovely looking bike, she looks very light and flickable too ?
     
  10. steve lovatt

    steve lovatt Something else

    May 12, 2014
    9,218
    1,000
    North Yorkshire
    Hi and welcome to the forum
     
  11. camman

    camman Member

    Jun 7, 2015
    20
    8
    christchurch dorset
    Thank you everybody for your warm welcome....and yes Dave it handles very well, and goes surprisingly well, now she is set up good...not that I am a speed freak but it is nice to have a bit of grunt when you need it.
    Since the picture was taken, she has had new rear shocks and drilled discs fitted, as well as led bulb replacement....well you've got to look after your babies:)
     
  12. Recycled Rocker

    Recycled Rocker Senior Member

    Apr 19, 2014
    351
    113
    North Yorkshire Cave
    Had 77 T140 , got to do 3 laps of Olivers Mount racetrack between practice and racing in front of race crowd at Barry Sheene weekend a 3 years ago. Those straight through goldies really had some of crowd hanging over fence and me nearly hanging on gate at Mere hairpin :eek: heh heh heh This year my tricked 2009 Bonnie SE will be doin same again, those hyde pipes really howl well and I've got my Castrol R to leave a whiff of. As a member of Yorkshire Coast British Bike Club we get free entry, 3 laps, and display bikes on top field, so if yer get there this year look me up. Whisper is Guy Martin will be presenting trophy fer best bike. Hope we all get round better than his TT ride yesterday, bummer that, or was it Beamer..

    Quite mad Camman, welcome to the playground, really good people on here :D
     
  13. camman

    camman Member

    Jun 7, 2015
    20
    8
    christchurch dorset
    Ah yes, Guy Martin, the man who really lives up to the "one life, live it" philosophy.
    Me being a southern softie OAP with a dodgy knee and living in the sunshin capital, have become a bit of a fair weather rider I'm afraid.....so just most days from March till October :D
    When I was young, the rain and mud was seen as part of the fun, as i used to scramble a lot on a Greaves.....which probably accounts for the dodgy knee?
    Thanks for the invite recycled rocker, i may dig out my thermals and take you up on that ;)
     
  14. Recycled Rocker

    Recycled Rocker Senior Member

    Apr 19, 2014
    351
    113
    North Yorkshire Cave
    Greaves eh, proper scrambling then :)
     
  15. camman

    camman Member

    Jun 7, 2015
    20
    8
    christchurch dorset
    Oh yes, had a Dot and a Bultaco as well, and wasn't to bad at it either.
    Then the inevitable marriage, kids, expense, and being nagged out of it by the wife.......got a new wife now and the kids grew up to be more wreckless than me, in fact my son was doing very well nationally at karting until his divorce :rolleyes:
     
  16. Clarkey

    Clarkey Well-Known Member

    Sep 28, 2014
    236
    93
    Hi and welcome to the triumph forum
     
  17. camman

    camman Member

    Jun 7, 2015
    20
    8
    christchurch dorset
    Thanks Clarkey,......I think your bike may be faster than mine;)
     
  18. chrispy

    chrispy Well-Known Member

    May 1, 2013
    331
    83
    Salisbury,wiltshire
    Welcome to the forum :)
     
  19. camman

    camman Member

    Jun 7, 2015
    20
    8
    christchurch dorset
    Hi Chrispy, I see you are not many miles from me....do you go to Poole Quay or Mudeford ?......we sometimes meet up at Old Sarum airfield for breakfast (old clunkers rides.....mostly BSA)
     
  20. Dodge74

    Dodge74 Active Member

    Oct 16, 2014
    151
    43
    Lincoln
    hiya there , welcome in , nice looking Bonnie
     

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