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

[NorDog]

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.

From what I understand, if it's electrical on an old Brit bike, it will have problems: i.e. everything.

[bryant8]

ATO, go by Storm's Cycles in Grand Prairie (3000 E Jefferson St Grand Prairie, TX 75051).  Last time I was there they had a dozen sum-odd BSA/Norton/Triumphs there.  And they sell Urals

[NorDog]

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

I'll have you know that I am ENTIRELY gruntled!

[teddy037.2]

if I were more handy, I'd love to have an old bonnie or a norton to tool around on  

and, like almost everyone else, I lack FHE  

[NorDog]

FWIW, I've really been a'wantin' a BSA Victor 441

[Major Slow]

Although I  never owned one several friends had bonnevilles (also BSA lightnings) of the late 60's. They were good bikes but the newer designs of the Japanese bikes were coming into vogue. The parts were hard to get, but they really were a fairly stable platform. The original engine design was from the 50's if I remember correctly. The English bikes of the era (late 60's-early 70's) were an outmoded designed but most of the bugs were worked out. change the oil, recable once in a while, they ran for the few years we kept them around. A side note they were all tall bikes and one of the guys I rode with was maybe 5'2" he couldn't even tip toe and keep the bike vertical. Hilarious watching him ride around in traffic.

Just my opinion, if i were to looking for the nostolgia of a vintage English bike I would try a 650cc Triumph Thunderbird, the wild one's bike.

[ducpainter]

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.

The don't go out after dark comment should be a clue.

Even the scant electrical system was bogus. Lights that wouldn't work either because of vibration or switches that sucked, points that need cleaning and re-gapping almost weekly if ridden every day.

All that said they were fun. You just need to work on them constantly.

The modern Ducs, believe it or not, are far better.

[junior varsity]

i know i know, we are getting something for my wife to ride on, as she will be a beginner - so I thought I could look for something for me to tool around on next to her that wasn't a speedy bike, so I was still very much 'involved' during the ride.

my god, its the mythical bathtub i was told about once:

[zarn02]

I'll have you know that I am ENTIRELY gruntled!

Aaaaannnnnd here's your nerdy link of the day: http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-dis1.htm

[Major Slow]

FWIW, I've really been a'wantin' a BSA Victor 441

A riding buddy had one of these that he flogged regularly. It was one of the worst riding bikes I ever rode. It almost hopped down the rode. It was a great dirt bike back when there weren't any real dirt bikes. We would offrode ( I had a 305 scrambler ) until one of us got hurt and then we would go home. I am now officially reliving my youth.... no more work will get done today

[ducpainter]

i know i know, we are getting something for my wife to ride on, as she will be a beginner - so I thought I could look for something for me to tool around on next to her that wasn't a speedy bike, so I was still very much 'involved' during the ride.

my god, its the mythical bathtub i was told about once:

Another consideration should be vibration.

The 60s/70s era Brit bikes rattled parts off down the road in the following order...

BSA

Triumph

Norton.

[junior varsity]

you seem to be speaking of a different vibration than viberider.

[Kopfjäger]

This is what you want. 

[Super T.I.B]

The don't go out after dark comment should be a clue.

Even the scant electrical system was bogus. Lights that wouldn't work either because of vibration or switches that sucked, points that need cleaning and re-gapping almost weekly if ridden every day.

All that said they were fun. You just need to work on them constantly.

The modern Ducs, believe it or not, are far better.

Get the t shirt too! 

[Major Slow]

Another consideration should be vibration.

The 60s/70s era Brit bikes rattled parts off down the road in the following order...

BSA

Triumph

Norton.

I don't remember anything falling off that was desperately needed and the vibration seemed to be plus.

Seriously, Most bikes of that era had solid mount engines that weren't balanced and vibrated a lot. If you are looking for retro looks and smooth ride go buy a brand new triumph bonneville.