Ohyou know.
New member
I would go for the triumph. Try to find a Bonnie pre OIF. A big plus is if you do it right, you may be able to make money on it, if you decide to get rid of it.
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Let's say you want a second, small bike, something to work on!
- Thread starter Ohyou know.
- Start date
mackiegirl12
New member
Your onto something here..
candle-wax
New member
I came across this site, bluecollarbobbers.com, what do you think, is this a way to go?
Ngo Liverpool
New member
OIF = oil in frame. I forget what year it was, but Triumph changed from having a separate oil tank to storing the engine oil in the frame.
If you're thinking about doing a rigid bobber, you can buy weld on rear sections for the XS650 from Led Sled or TC Brothers. Flyrite Choppers also makes a full on rigid frame for the XS.
Whatever you pick, you'll have fun doing it!
If you're thinking about doing a rigid bobber, you can buy weld on rear sections for the XS650 from Led Sled or TC Brothers. Flyrite Choppers also makes a full on rigid frame for the XS.
Whatever you pick, you'll have fun doing it!
Kahlid Komar
New member
You could certainly buy one of those kits, but my personal opinion (and you know what those are worth!) is you'd have way more fun, and feel much more accomplishment, if you dream it and do it on your own. The challenge of finding or making just the right part, doing and re-doing something, changing direction in midstream, is way more satisfying than bolting on a kit that is someone else's design.
That doesn't mean kits aren't a okay route to go - they're just someone else's idea of a bobber, not necessarily yours.
That doesn't mean kits aren't a okay route to go - they're just someone else's idea of a bobber, not necessarily yours.
i'd go with an EVO low-rider or FXR.....you can usually find low-riders at a good price..and not too "fixed" up..that is to say someone isn't trying to make back all of thier money for every bit of chrome they put on it. the frame is good...it's rubber mount smooooooth, it's a BIG-TWIN so it has some balls, and i like the mid controls, makes for easy good handling.
fhd is right...in 1971 Triumph started to make the oil in frame (OIF) bikes. Personally speaking, I wouldn't go with an OIF bike. There was a lot going on but generally speaking, there was a lot going on at Meriden factory from '71-75. BSA-Norton had ownership in the country and bad management was going on. The first problem was that they refused to upgrade the factory so you have the bikes being made in the early 70s than what was being made in the early 60s. Then the Japanese was putting a hurting on everyone and BSA-Norton wanted to shut down the factory. This is when the workers protested and formed the co-op to run Triumph. Through those years, there was a lot of shut downs, picketing, and a bunch more of political crap going on. In other words, there was a lot more energy going on in the company rather than just a focus on making bikes.
A slang name for the Bonnies after '71 were to call them bread box Bonnies. This is because of the squared off look the bikes started going through. Here is an example of a '72 Bonnie:
The Bonnies were a heck of a lot more sexy through the '60s and this was their hay-day as the Bonnie was soaring with popularity. The Bonnies from the '60s are going to run you more money than any OIF Bonnie. Here is a '61 Bonnie so you can compare to the '72 OIF Bonnie:
The '59 and '61 are the most expensive Bonnevilles to go after (not sure what kind of price range you are wanting to stay in).
Another thing to consider are the Triumphs being made in Hinckley, UK today. If it is an issue to you, all Bonnies made before 2008 were made in the Hinckley plant. Triumph set up factory to have the bikes assembled in Thailand starting on the 2008 models. Triumph used a 1968 Bonneville to model the Hinckley Bonnie after and worked to have the look of the old Bonnie but with the modern day upgrades. I think these are fantastic bikes and they are cheap as well. I picked up my '06 with 2800 miles on it for around $5K. 2007 and before is a carb'd engine and after that, Triumph had to go to EFI to meet EU emmission standards. There are already several reports of these little 865cc engines breaking 100,000 miles and still going strong without any work done on them at all minus the regular maintenace work that needs to be performed on any bike.
If you do not care/or have the aptitude of turning a wrench then I would suggest a Hinckley Bonnie. The Meriden Bonnies are beautiful but you will be working on them. There is a reason why a vintage Trumpet owner keeps a patch of carpet underneath his bike parked in the garage. If you want a great British parallel twin engined bike and reliability is a factor, then start looking up a Hinckley Bonnie. I have been riding bikes for 37 years and my Hinckley Bonnie runs better than any other bike I have ever owned...absolutely....zero problems. Here is my Bonnie:
I will be getting a Meriden Bonnie as well; as soon as I move back to the states in a few years. I have been saving my pennies and plan on spending the money and getting a '61. With that said though, I realize that I will be spending a lot of wrench time with it and a Meriden engine is only good for about 25,000-35,000 miles before a major overhaul will have to be done. I know I threw out a lot of information but I figured it could help with what you are considering to do...hope it helps.
A slang name for the Bonnies after '71 were to call them bread box Bonnies. This is because of the squared off look the bikes started going through. Here is an example of a '72 Bonnie:
The Bonnies were a heck of a lot more sexy through the '60s and this was their hay-day as the Bonnie was soaring with popularity. The Bonnies from the '60s are going to run you more money than any OIF Bonnie. Here is a '61 Bonnie so you can compare to the '72 OIF Bonnie:
The '59 and '61 are the most expensive Bonnevilles to go after (not sure what kind of price range you are wanting to stay in).
Another thing to consider are the Triumphs being made in Hinckley, UK today. If it is an issue to you, all Bonnies made before 2008 were made in the Hinckley plant. Triumph set up factory to have the bikes assembled in Thailand starting on the 2008 models. Triumph used a 1968 Bonneville to model the Hinckley Bonnie after and worked to have the look of the old Bonnie but with the modern day upgrades. I think these are fantastic bikes and they are cheap as well. I picked up my '06 with 2800 miles on it for around $5K. 2007 and before is a carb'd engine and after that, Triumph had to go to EFI to meet EU emmission standards. There are already several reports of these little 865cc engines breaking 100,000 miles and still going strong without any work done on them at all minus the regular maintenace work that needs to be performed on any bike.
If you do not care/or have the aptitude of turning a wrench then I would suggest a Hinckley Bonnie. The Meriden Bonnies are beautiful but you will be working on them. There is a reason why a vintage Trumpet owner keeps a patch of carpet underneath his bike parked in the garage. If you want a great British parallel twin engined bike and reliability is a factor, then start looking up a Hinckley Bonnie. I have been riding bikes for 37 years and my Hinckley Bonnie runs better than any other bike I have ever owned...absolutely....zero problems. Here is my Bonnie:
I will be getting a Meriden Bonnie as well; as soon as I move back to the states in a few years. I have been saving my pennies and plan on spending the money and getting a '61. With that said though, I realize that I will be spending a lot of wrench time with it and a Meriden engine is only good for about 25,000-35,000 miles before a major overhaul will have to be done. I know I threw out a lot of information but I figured it could help with what you are considering to do...hope it helps.