Please educate me on older (1970's era) Triumph Motorcycles.

[junior varsity]

I'm interested in getting one for light riding around the Big D. Just something to tool around on with the cool older vibe.

what do i need to know: models, good features, bad features, issues, etc.

Give me a crash course. Please.

[Mike Qube]

How mechanically able are you? I have never owned one, but several friends have and they have had nothing but negative things to say about the reliability of them. Most have sold them and either gotten a new Bonneville or something else all together.

[junior varsity]

Fairly mechanically inclined. i thought it would be neat to have an older bike to tinker with. Not really sure about the various models. i see some are "OIF" which I take to mean oil-in-frame, and I'd like to know, as an example, if this is a good or bad thing - inherent problems and the like.

[gregrnel]

There's an old joke, one of my favorites,  regarding British vehicles.

Do you know why the Brits can't build a computer?

















'Cause they can't figure out a way for it to leak oil.

[NorDog]

Darkness, lots of darkness (or so I've heard).

[junior varsity]

oh, come now people. I have no plans of selling the Ducati, or spending any money that i would have spent on ducati, on a triumph. I just want an old bike, with the bonneville, bsa, norton style look to it.

[ducpainter]

Darkness, lots of darkness (or so I've heard).

emanating from the prince of darkness...

and no...

it's not ozzie.

[NorDog]

emanating from the prince of darkness...

and no...

it's not ozzie.

I have a theory that Lucas was blind.   

[junior varsity]

sigh....

this is zero help. almost amusing, however. except i do want to know about old ass bikes, what to look for when purchasing and what to avoid.

[ducpainter]

I have a theory that Lucas was blind.   

he has been attributed as saying "just don't go out after dark".

sigh....

this is zero help. almost amusing, however. except i do want to know about old ass bikes, what to look for when purchasing and what to avoid.

We're trying to tell you ( in inimitable DMF fashion ) that an old Brit bike will leak oil and have a horrible electrical system.

What else would you like to know?

[Kopfjäger]

sigh....

this is zero help. almost amusing, however. except i do want to know about old ass bikes, what to look for when purchasing and what to avoid.

No FHE, but there has got to be a forum out there that would be more helpful than this disgruntled group of folks.

[junior varsity]

he has been attributed as saying "just don't go out after dark".
We're trying to tell you ( in inimitable DMF fashion ) that an old Brit bike will leak oil and have a horrible electrical system.

What else would you like to know?

i know i know. what kinds of electrical problems could there be? there doesnt appear to be but a scant few electrical devices on the old bikes.

[Kopfjäger]

http://motormaniacal.com/triumph-motorcycles/



http://www.triumphrat.net/

[NorDog]

sigh....

this is zero help. almost amusing, however. except i do want to know about old ass bikes, what to look for when purchasing and what to avoid.

Sorry my friend.

I really can't help you on that count other than to say that they are cool bikes and I want more than a few models (mostly from the 60's).

It is probably safe to say that if you find one you like and the price seems right, go for it.  Only be prepared to do some wrenching, but imo if it's not your primary bike, that can be fun too.

Of course there are the usual things to check like wheel bearings, compression, ability to start, interior condition of the fuel tank, condition or rims and spokes, dings, dents, and integrity of the frame.

Hopefully others here will be of more help in pointing out specific pitfalls to avoid, but it would be helpful in that regard to mention a specific model and year.

Good luck!  Keep us posted.

[junior varsity]

http://motormaniacal.com/triumph-motorcycles/

Ah, very helpful.

i was attempting to avoid the full fledged triumphrat site, as it is a VS creation I believe, and I'm not going whole-hog after the brand, more in that it looked like a bit of fun to putter around on one.