The arrival of the basket case.

On last Thursday my friend Paul Holdsworth dropped off a few boxes, A motor, two wheels, a frame, forks, and a seriously dented gas tank. All adding up to one 1968 Triumph Bonneville. I thought it was Christmas. We had a few beers and discussed the possibilities of this bike. Paul's idea, and I would agree with him, is to get it on the road as soon as possible. Get it running and then customize to my hearts content.

A few days after taking delivery I decided that the best thing to do is to lay out everything and take inventory.

What I found was there is going to be some work ahead to get it on the road.

The motor is seized. Someone took off the cover and poured in some kind of liquid into the cylinder.

The frame is in pretty good shape. I am going to bead blast it and get it powered coated since there are no parts on it.

The wheels have surface rust, but I think they are sound. I will need new tires.

The hole in the gas tank is more like a gash. Looking for a new one.

Front fork rusted and needs to be rebuilt.

Seat is gone . Looking for a single seat anyway.

Pipes rusted. Found new headers on ebay.

No head light, and the speedometer and tachometer is smashed.

I am sure the breaks need to be rebuilt.

Oil tank is there but will be replaced.

Electrical looks like a birds neat.

All in all I am not surprised with the necessary repairs. I think everything is manageable.

Time to get dirty.

Parts on line for Bonneville

Parts on line

http://smmotorco.com/

http://www.thepowderpro.com/index.php

http://www.pioneerpowdercoating.com/pages/1/index.htm

http://www.jrceng.com/

http://skinandbonecustoms.com/index.html

http://www.srmclassicbikes.com/

http://www.alpha-bearings.com

http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/index.php

http://www.mapcycle.com/Index.aspx

http://www.classicenglishmotorcycles.com/servlet/StoreFront

http://fouracescycle.bigcartel.com/

http://www.northerneagle.ca/

http://www.manx.co.uk/pdf/MPL-Pre_68_Triumph.pdf

http://www.a2stainless.co.uk/

http://www.frankmain.qpg.com/

http://morriesplacecycle.com/bikes.html

http://mcctriumph.com/default.aspx

http://www.walridge.com/section/view/

http://www.deluxecycle.com/Default.aspx

http://www.dansmc.com/MC_repaircourse.htm

http://www.skinandbonecustoms.com

http://www.klempfsbritishparts.com/default.aspx

http://www.britcycle.com/

http://www.tri-corengland.com/index.html

http://www.amalcarb.co.uk/default.aspx

http://triumphmotorcycle.co.uk/

http://www.grintriumph.com/index.html

http://www.anglo-bobbers.com/Triumph_1968/1968_Triumph_650_Bobber_by_Dan.php

http://www.lowbrowcustoms.com/motorcycle-dvds/triumph-650-rebuild-dvd-with-wes-white-triumph-motorcycle-dvd.aspx

http://www.hollywoodbobbers.com/index.html

The Unseen Bike

A few days ago my friend Paul Holdsworth asked me if I would be interested in a 1968 Triumph Bonneville. He told me the long story of how the orginal owner of the bike got a hole in the gas tank and how he left it outside for 20 some years. The owner of the bike gave it to Paul, because Paul is a motorcycle guy. Paul then gave it to his cousin with the idea that he and his son would fix it up. I am to understand that they started to dismantle the bike and thats as far as restoration went. Now the bike is back in Pauls hands.

So I accepted this bike unseen. My first thought is make it a bobber. Chop the finders and make everything black with highlights of chrome. I expect serious surface rust and I know that the motor is stuck. I am told that the frame and back wheel are good condition. Now I Just have to wait and see the bike. Oh ya and there is a hole in the gas tank. The pic above is what i hope it turns out like.