1974 Triumph Bonneville

T140VHJ56370

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For sale is "Bonnie" my 1974 T140V. There are 4108 original miles on this bike. I am the 2nd owner and have owned her for 8 years. I love this bike, I have ridden all my life and I like this machine as well as any I have ever ridden. Character doesn't begin to describe a classic Bonneville. If you want a classic British twin that is not "restored" or just all cobbled up this might be your girl. I am just getting too old to kick start her, even though she starts easily, I need to buy a bike with an electric start. The bike finish is original with the patina of a 43-year-old bike, the chrome is pristine. There is no rust on the bike or in the tank. Nothing truer was ever said, they are only original once. I put a new sealed AGM battery into her this last spring, all fluids have been changed for the winter storage season. Everything works all switches, lights and controls. Being a 1974 it is an English layout so a right hand shift bike. There were very few Bonneville's built in 74, almost all were built in a 2-week period in July/August 1974 during the occupation of the Meridan factory by its workers. The rest of the 74 stock were released as 1975 units, they were built April to June of 1975 with a right hand shift although left hand shift was mandated in the US for 1975 models. The bike is matching numbers and the lower end has never been opened. I did finally open the top end up to replace the o rings on the tappet blocks and push rod tubes as the leaking was becoming an issue. This was done less than 100 miles ago along with a head rebuild (receipts) and now the bike appears oil tight. Original Triumph factory shop manual is included as well as a sealskin brand bike cover. The bike is stock and original with these exceptions. I have added parts that make it a better day to day rider. All original parts except the carbs will go with the bike as well. Upgrades, maintenance and mods that I have done. Progressive brand fork springs Progressive brand shocks and springs Ariette fork seals, master cylinder seals and caliper seals Resurfaced front rotor, chrome removed, Ferrodo GG pads Norton fork gaiters, new instrument cups. Triple tree handlebar bushings replaced Dunlop K70 tires, Japanese manufacture, balanced . Goodrich SS brake lines Machined axle retainer caps Mufflers are Armor brand, British made. Venhill clutch and throttle cables with paralleled spares Venhill choke cable with 90 degree elbows at carburetor tops. New Amal Premiers, jetted for altitude > 5000 feet, with changes from stock in slides, mains, pilots and needle jets Tri Spark Ignition and Tri Spark 6 Volt Coils, NGK Iridium plugs, 5000 Ohm NGK caps and Lucas Bumble Bee HT leads Podtronics SS regulator, electronic main circuit breaker 25A, marine grade fuse block LED bulbs in instruments and headlight indicator lamps, much better, you can actually read the instruments at night, solid state blinker unit LED taillight, Lights 4 All conversion, installed in standard original Lucas tail light, very cool very bright, Lucas H4 Headlight conversion SS rear spokes and rear wheel trued, new bearings , front wheel trued, new bearings. DID chain at 3950 miles, stainless chain adjuster plates Dunstall 7 plate clutch conversion with Kibblewhite clutch springs @ 4000 miles Valve job at 4000 miles used original valves, head was resurfaced Kibblewhite beehive valve springs, retainers and keepers installed Kibblewhite C63000 nickel-aluminum bronze valve guides installed using guides cut for the optional Viton valve guide seals (which were installed). In this year (74) the Bonnie didn't have guide seals as original equipment. Seals were not used as standard equipment till about 1980 or so Bike is located in Denver, you would be responsible for pickup or shipping arrangements. I would help as I can. On Dec-01-17 at 22:18:53 PST, seller added the following information: A couple of things I didn't mention, all the wheel work was done at Woody's Wheel works in Denver with receipts. The Rotor resurface was done at TrueDisk.. Front brake is very good, rear brake sucks crap. As there is zero storage under the seat there are very nice matching heavy leather tool bags for and aft for documents and tools. I will put the tappet block drift in one of the bags. The plate doesn't come with the bike as it is a registered YOM. Sorry for being so wordy it was a hard decision to let go. Last but not least, there is a BBC documentary Google (BBC Triumph workers sit in). Fascinating, and what is so cool is the people in the film are the ones who built this bike. There is footage of the pin stripe guy working, I am sure the very man who pin striped this bike. It came from a different time for sure. Anyway thanks to all that bid On Dec-03-17 at 22:18:31 PST, seller added the following information: I was digging through some stuff tonight ran across a full set of gaskets that I will include. Also I will include a trickle charger. The wiring is installed on the bike to the battery for the charger. As it is a positive ground system the connector is reversed. I will also include the charger that mates to the bike connector. I also have a copy of Roy Bacon's "Triumph T140 Bonnevilles and Derivatives 1973-1988. This is not included in the sale price but I will include it for $50 additional if you are the lucky bidder and have an interest. It is out of print but is invaluable in T140 identification and restoration. On Dec-05-17 at 22:58:11 PST, seller added the following information: Man it sucks getting old Looking at receipts the rear sprocket was also replaced with the chain 100 miles or so ago. Standard gearing, I did not replace the front as it is a pain in the ass. I am very excited that it appears someone might get Bonnie and love her like I have, and keep her on the road and install no Chinese parts You wont be disappointed you will never find one in nicer original shape of this I am sure. Any questions please ask Thanks again for bidding .