I've been working at a little (electrical) job and the bloke has a '77 T140 under a sheet in his garage, had it since '82. It's done 13,000 miles. It's MOT'd/taxed and started 3rd kick the other day. He's decided to sell it and he's offered it to me. It looks a bit dog-eared but basically OK. I've already "been there-done that" with a knackered '66 T120 Bonnie that I rebuilt and I know that, if I buy the T140, I won't be happy 'til it's "concourse" Should I? Anybody out there got/had an OIF Bonnie?
I bought a brand new 750 Bonnie in 76 for £750, last of the british gear change. A great bike but needed a lot of TLC. The 70 on oil in tube frame is great handling and the 750 motor is strong too.
If it's the right money, buy it. put it away. it's only going to go up in value. better than money in the bank.
I started on one of those and it was responsible for getting me into Ducati's in the first place. It vibrated so much that my wife could not stand it above 60. It ate all my money just trying to keep it running and did not handle or brake very well. Every single bike magazine that i read at the time, looking for a bike that did not vibrate, handled well and had good brakes led me to an inevitable conclusion. I bought a Bevel and was hooked inside the 2 mile ride home. For what its worth i would not touch a "meriden" old school triumph with a barge pole for any money now. Not to ride anyway.
That's what I was thinking El T. I spent a lot of time/money on the T120 so I don't really want to do that again, but.........an effing big polished ally tank and humpy seat from Unity Equipe, some polished rims, fresh suspension, modern rubber and maybe a 2into1 from Hyde. But that just ends up as a load more time and money that's better spent on riding and petrol. Might as well buy a nice 900SS, ready to go. I'm in the village, working a few doors away this morning, I'll nip 'round and have another look.
had a couple of meriden triumphs pretty to look up but unreliable and capable of exploding spectacularily for my money if you want an oil in the frame twin, the bsa option with an srm bearing conversion is the way to go, far better motor and far better performance best option for 70's brit bikes are tridents and commandos and they are still realistically priced
Would make a nice usable bike without too much expense but I'll give it a miss. It's going in a Bonhams in a few weeks. Crap phone picture. View attachment 7340
The Bonhams auction is on Wed 14th. No Ducati's in the sale but one or two nice bikes, a few projects, a few bit's of Barry Sheene's, some nice cars and the usual "collectable" paraphenalia. I'll probably go for a look as the showground is 10 mins walk from my house. List of lots and sale details are on www.bonhams.com
Lots 414, 415, 441, 445, 446, 420 is how mine started out, they tickle my fancy. If the bonny is lot number 417, the mudguard is a shame but the non matching frame and engine will destroy its value. Lot 451 will smash that estimate, maybe double? 588 is nice too.
