1979 Triumph Bonneville T140e

I went to check out this Bonneville today.
Here's what I know: 2nd owner. Clean title. It's been stored for 14 years, so there's the regular wear n' tear from it sitting in a wear-house. It starts up with a few kicks. There are a few mechanical problems, such as, back break is locked up; oil leaks from worn out gaskets, and a little bit from the frame (it's an oil-in-frame); the engine sounds good; tank may need to be cleaned out. It will need work.
If I get it, I plan on taking it down to the frame just for my own knowledge.
I talked the guy down to $2800.

Thoughts? suggestions? Please, any advice will help.
Thanks.

Also, any suggestions on how to convince my old man to let me get it?!

That bike doesn't sound like it's worth $2800 if it has all the problems you've described. Go tell your old man about how you were all charged to hit him up for this bike. Then tell him what's wrong with it and after asking some wise people on the Chop Cult what they thought you've decided against. You may put yourself in a better position to ask when another bike comes around.

79's are bulletproof. If it runs and not smoke, 2,300 if it is all there. I mean the winkers, front fender, tail light, never thrown away. OK, say it was thrown away... I have a new front end for that bike, meaning, upper and lower crowns with new bearings. If I threw that bike away and could straighten the forks at some shop in town... I would not miss me losing points for that class was the idea.



Gray market bike - Check the dual front brakes. They never came on any US import T-140.

79 is a great year but they have low emissions cams and I believe mag wheels . If you want a oil in frame then it is a OK price but kinda high in todays economy . If you leave it stock and just clean it up you might have a $3000.00 bike if a couple years . I would not pay no more then $1900.00 for one unless I hunting down this model t140E is nothing special .

2000 bux no more. if the chrome is bad even less

Damn, I gotta lotta homework to do!

I'll be honest, I was a bit gassed up to find this Bonnie, and I was even more stoked to talk someone down $1000. So, yes Bret, I was very charged up. The crappy thing is that I have 2 stacks to deal with, and my old man will match me, but, for some reason out of my control, he gets final say in what I ride next! FML. Thank all for the heads up!
My next questions would be: What to look for in a Triumph? I thought 28 was a fair deal for a '79, what should I be aware of when choosing an old English lady?

Thanks again.

I don't know where you guys are finding all these running/compete Triumphs for under 2K. I'd try to get him down to 23 or 25, but that sounds like a solid bike. The problems you mentioned are no big deal. The locked rear caliper is common. Oil leaks aren't a biggie, unless the frame is cracked at the swingarm. Only the Bonni Specials had mag wheels in 79.

They are solid bikes.I've ridden my Pops on two 1200 mi+ roadtrips.




oh, and the TSX/TSS had twin discs up front for the US market.


Just for refrence;
http://rochester.craigslist.org/mcy/1969249512.html

http://www.baxtercycle.com/pre_owned...R0&veh=1768775

http://www.kbb.com/motorcycle/retail...v-tiger/263589

http://www.nadaguides.com/default.as...T&gc=AM&gtc=MC