New toy for old man...

Geezer Garage

Geezer Garage

Senior Member
Location
Steamboat Springs CO
Got to the point that at 72 the forward controls, and seating position on the Harley just weren't working for me anymore. Saw this allegedly low mile 78 Bonneville on Craigs list that was close by. It belonged to a nice young man that just didn't have the knowledge, or experience to deal with it, and wanted out. He had spent several grand on parts and "Professional" service fee's, and still wasn't happy with it. I've owned several Brit bikes over the years, and raced and maintained a 65 TT120 flat tracker back when, so I'm pretty confident I can cure it's issues. Will be nice to be riding something a lot lighter, and better suited to doing the twisty's, and B roads that I favor. The clip on bars will be going, and will give it a thorough going over soon, but need to finish up The milling machine first.


https%3A//i.imgur.com/EEetdjQ.jpg[/img]']











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I had a '78 Yamaha 650 which was kinda/sorta a copy of the Triumph. Looks like a fun project. I'm jealous.

Edit: I just noticed the absence of turn signals.
 
Geezer Garage said:
Got to the point that at 72 the forward controls, and seating position on the Harley just weren't working for me anymore. Saw this allegedly low mile 78 Bonneville on Craigs list that was close by. It belonged to a nice young man that just didn't have the knowledge, or experience to deal with it, and wanted out. He had spent several grand on parts and "Professional" service fee's, and still wasn't happy with it. I've owned several Brit bikes over the years, and raced and maintained a 65 TT120 flat tracker back when, so I'm pretty confident I can cure it's issues. Will be nice to be riding something a lot lighter, and better suited to doing the twisty's, and B roads that I favor. The clip on bars will be going, and will give it a thorough going over soon, but need to finish up The milling machine first.


https://i.imgur.com/SSWNiNm.jpg[/img]']https://i.imgur.com/SSWNiNm.jpg[/img]']https://i.imgur.com/EEetdjQ.jpg[/img]']











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Is this what might be described as a Cafe Bike? From the shape of the seat?
 
Hey, you're never too old. I have a neighbor who recently turned 70. He had an absolutely beautiful vintage 60's Corvette convertible. He traded it in for a brand new one last year. I can always hear it when he leaves the neighborhood. 😄
 
Geezer Garage said:
Got to the point that at 72 the forward controls, and seating position on the Harley just weren't working for me anymore. Saw this allegedly low mile 78 Bonneville on Craigs list that was close by. It belonged to a nice young man that just didn't have the knowledge, or experience to deal with it, and wanted out. He had spent several grand on parts and "Professional" service fee's, and still wasn't happy with it. I've owned several Brit bikes over the years, and raced and maintained a 65 TT120 flat tracker back when, so I'm pretty confident I can cure it's issues. Will be nice to be riding something a lot lighter, and better suited to doing the twisty's, and B roads that I favor. The clip on bars will be going, and will give it a thorough going over soon, but need to finish up The milling machine first.


https%3A//i.imgur.com/SSWNiNm.jpg[/img]']https%3A//i.imgur.com/EEetdjQ.jpg[/img]']











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Grrrrrrr, you're getting my juices flowing now, GG, I'm jealous, I'd love to have it, but I know I'd be a menace on the road with that beauty..... and I've reluctantly accepted that I'm way past ever riding a bike now. "Hurra-a-a-a-a-a-y", says the UK population.
Enjoy yourself on your new friend, GG. 😊
 
I toss around the idea of getting a motorcycle from time to time since I am a member of Christian Motorcyclists Association. I joined in order to be part of their jail ministry and owning a bike is not required. When I was about 12, the neighbors let me ride their cycle around in the fields. It was a big bike that I could not pick up once I stopped. So I know how to ride one. Sure had a lot of fun at the neighbors!
 
Geezer Garage said:
Yes, it would fall into that category.
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I don't now that much about it, other than I think it being a British sub culture, of the 50's & 60's. Bike's would meet up at a café, and race to another café, and perhaps back again. Or race against the clock. Including racing from a café to a point and back again before a song finished on a jukebox. The ton up boys is a phrase I’ve sometimes heard when describing them. Bikes aren’t really my thing, but I appreciate the engineering and history of them. Some, even the most mundane, looking like works of art.
 
Geezer Garage said:
Got to the point that at 72 the forward controls, and seating position on the Harley just weren't working for me anymore. Saw this allegedly low mile 78 Bonneville on Craigs list that was close by. It belonged to a nice young man that just didn't have the knowledge, or experience to deal with it, and wanted out. He had spent several grand on parts and "Professional" service fee's, and still wasn't happy with it. I've owned several Brit bikes over the years, and raced and maintained a 65 TT120 flat tracker back when, so I'm pretty confident I can cure it's issues. Will be nice to be riding something a lot lighter, and better suited to doing the twisty's, and B roads that I favor. The clip on bars will be going, and will give it a thorough going over soon, but need to finish up The milling machine first.


https%3A//i.imgur.com/SSWNiNm.jpg[/img]']https%3A//i.imgur.com/EEetdjQ.jpg[/img]']











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I have three of them sitting in the garage I can't ride now.

Two BMW's and a Victory. I should sell them, but I first need to figure out these new on-line markets.
 
Great Trumpet. Good find. Hope you put lots of miles on her. Yeah, changing out the bars would be high on my to-do list as well.

These days, guess they call these classics "naked bikes." A term I don't particularly like. To me they are art on two wheels. The styling on the new bikes leaves me cold. Blaah is more like it.

Always a soft spot in my heart for a Triumph. Short-tracked a 200cc Tiger Cub back in the 60s. Really liked that bike. Always let you know when it was going to put you down. Not so fast, but predictable, reliable and affordable to race.

Here's lifting a pint to your new toy. Enjoy.
 
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