For the more mature among us?

[pritch]

Details of a 50th Anniversary Bonnie.

I like the idea, not quite sure about the execution.
Father Christmas might be able to help with this :-)


http://www.motorcycledaily.com/22may08_50th_anniversary.htm

[nodrog]

isnt that just a copy of a Kawasaki W650 :eek:

[mashman]

Very nice... and with a rear seat cowl too

[chubby]

mmmmmm, I'd like to gush but for me that just doesn't do it. My feelings are the rear end isn't the bonne that i remember and the black with gold trim has me thinking Norton Commando.

I stand to be corrected but a bonne to me is red and white.

But for all that negativity, congrats to Triumph and may it have at least 50 more years.

[Ixion]

I agree . The rear is all wrong. What sort of a Bonnie rider would not have had his chick on the back?. And the black and gold is just not Meridan. More like Norton or Velo.


(And personally, I reckon the gold rims are naff)


And they STILL won't fit a ruddy tacho!

I guess the reall question to be answered is "wod'll it do? "

Somehow , too , it just looks big and heavy and cumbersome compared to the real Bonnie. The original was a lean lithe bike, much smaller than the modern one. Compare.

[Bonez]

I like it. But why not twin dials? Any comparisons with the original Bonnie are mute though as it is not the same thing nor the same company ;).

[Big Dave]

Agree re tacho - boo hiss - a suitable unit will be available in the accessory list.

They'll do some nice kit to go with it I betcha.

Don't mind the rear end - it's only a cowl. Thruxton has comfy rear seat.

Belstaff logo? Dunno - I gave up waxed cotton with my Meriden Bonne.

Black and gold might have been JPS Norton - if they were still around they could claim it - but they ain't. this is as close as you'll get.

Don't know about 'mature' either.

You want a sensible solo road bike that is a hell of a lot of fun for the prevailing traffic conditions around the Urban areas and environs?

Very Versatile, great lookin' and reasonably bulletproof motors.
Bonnes are still a gem.

[Bonez]

Would look even better with lower bars, ace bars even and colour matched viper (listed in the EMGO catalouge) bikini fairing, reverse cone mufflers (once again available from EMGO) and a centre stand.

[MisterD]

Any comparisons with the original Bonnie are mute though as it is not the same thing nor the same company ;).

Doesn't stop the new "Mini" selling like hot cakes. 60's retro = cash. Now, where's my new Lambretta got to?

[Bonez]

Doesn't stop the new "Mini" selling like hot cakes. 60's retro = cash. Now, where's my new Lambretta got to?The "new" CB750 next year should be interesting too.

[Ixion]

Agree re tacho - boo hiss - a suitable unit will be available in the accessory list.

They'll do some nice kit to go with it I betcha.

Don't mind the rear end - it's only a cowl. Thruxton has comfy rear seat.

Belstaff logo? Dunno - I gave up waxed cotton with my Meriden Bonne.

Black and gold might have been JPS Norton - if they were still around they could claim it - but they ain't. this is as close as you'll get.

Don't know about 'mature' either.

You want a sensible solo road bike that is a hell of a lot of fun for the prevailing traffic conditions around the Urban areas and environs?

Very Versatile, great lookin' and reasonably bulletproof motors.
Bonnes are still a gem.

Yeah yeah. Blah blah. Wodd'll it do? that's the question.

Original Bonni was one of the fastest things on the road, point to point. Slow Bonni is a donkey.

[pritch]

Belstaff logo? Dunno - I gave up waxed cotton with my Meriden Bonne.


I have a Trialmaster Professional suit on a hanger out the back. Out where that peculiar smell is less noticeable. Trying it on now could be a source of deep personal humiliation so it just hangs there.

Ed Hertfelder (sp?) summed it up, "They come standard with seven different colours of mold and a smell that has you followed around by packs of horny dogs..." )If the quote isn't quite right forgive me, that's from thirty odd years ago.)

[Big Dave]

Yeah yeah. Blah blah. Wodd'll it do? that's the question.



It'll touch up your uberfarterclanken.

[Big Dave]

I have a Trialmaster Professional suit on a hanger out the back. Out where that peculiar smell is less noticeable. Trying it on now could be a source of deep personal humiliation so it just hangs there.

Ed Hertfelder (sp?) summed it up, "They come standard with seven different colours of mold and a smell that has you followed around by packs of horny dogs..." )If the quote isn't quite right forgive me, that's from thirty odd years ago.)

Still got mine too. It's a bit big for me :-)

[Bonez]

Yeah yeah. Blah blah. Wodd'll it do? that's the question.

Original Bonni was one of the fastest things on the road, point to point. Slow Bonni is a donkey.Who cares? Its all about marketing to the unwashed masses. The original Bonnie couldn't cut the ton stock when released IIRC but was marketed as being able to do so.

[Ixion]

Y'know what would be REALLY interesting, if some rich magazine could do it.

Get hold of a restored '59 Bonni, and put it up, point to point over say 2 or 300 km (on closed roads of course :msn-wink: ) against the Anniversary one.

And see just how much progress there has been in half a century.

I think the result might be interesting. Embarrassing, even.

Yeah. No centre stand is rude.

[Bonez]

Y'know what would be REALLY interesting, if some rich magazine could do it.

Get hold of a restored '59 Bonni, and put it up, point to point over say 2 or 300 km (on closed roads of course :msn-wink: ) against the Anniversary one.

And see just how much progress there has been in half a century.

I think the result might be interesting. Embarrassing, even.
To be fair you wouldhave a ride that covers a variaty of road conditions in keeping with the 50s/60s ;). Not "country lane" comparisons. Also throw a W650 in for the hell of it.

[Big Dave]

Meh - did that 5 years ago. new one - easily - in a point to point.

First thing I remove from a bike is the centre stand.

[Big Dave]

Also throw a W650

Now you are talkin'. Where ? and how high ?

[Bonez]

Now you are talkin'. Where ? and how high ?Well caught.

[Ixion]

To be fair you wouldhave a ride that covers a variaty of road conditions in keeping with the 50s/60s ;). Not "country lane" comparisons. Also throw a W650 in for the hell of it.

I was finking the norf circular.

[Bonez]

Meh - did that 5 years ago. new one - easily - in a point to point.

Aww look real carbs.

[98tls]

Orrible,reminds me of a Royal Enfield.

[Big Dave]

Oh look! - it's the pea green kid.

[AllanB]

Ah come on if the W650 had come out with a Triumph badge on it it would have been embraced as the best thing to happen to Triumph for years.

Re: 50th Bonnie - some comments:

Looks like its 50 - fat and a bit slow :Playnice:

They are still making the pipes with that daft bend in them - stuffs the lines to me.

Is that seat ribbed for his or her pleasure? :2thumbsup

Should have dropped 10 kgs and increased hp by 10 :cool:

Having said that yeeh har its 50 - well done. And I am sure it will sell like hot cakes.

[AllanB]

Aww look real carbs.


Nah - FAKE carb covers to hide the fuel injectors. TRUE

[Bonez]

Nah - FAKE carb covers to hide the fuel injectors. TRUEI was refering to the ones in BDs 5yo pic not the anniversery model.

The paint scheme reminds me of old school beemers.

[Coyote]

And see just how much progress there has been in half a century.

Thought the idea of the Bonnie was it remained classic, and wasn't constantly developed to out date the previous model like modern sprotsbikes.

I think it looks pretty good.

[Ixion]

So, the cnclusion is :

It needs to shed 50lb
Needs a tacho
Needs a proper seat
Needs to be painted red and white and stop pretending to be a Velocette
Lose the naff wheel rims
Replace the fuel injection with proper carburettors
Needs to gain 10bhp
Needs a centre stand (ESSENTIAL)
Replace ignition with a proper magneto
Add some oil leaks

OY- Just noticed. Where's the kickstart then! Item - fit proper kickstart like what all REAL modaboikes have.

N, then it would be not too bad. In a poor light, like.

Pass the word to the boys in the design department will y' Dave.

[Bonez]

Doesn't need to be a proper kickstart, just a fake one bro. Would look kawl kicking whilst pushing the starter button to impress the shellas at the caff ah aww.

[Pinstripe]

Looks good, but confused. seat cowl and velo paint job especially unbonnie-like. Suppose it's a golden anniversary of sorts, which makes sense i guess.

[eliot-ness]

Who cares? Its all about marketing to the unwashed masses. The original Bonnie couldn't cut the ton stock when released IIRC but was marketed as being able to do so.

Wrong. Electronically timed at 113mph at the MIRA test track, 1959. later models were a bit slower 111mph.
Tacho's were an optional extra in the UK apart from the 64 model
Black and gold has been used by Triumph at least 3 times in the past. Mid 1930s singles. 1952 TRW sidevalve twin and 1979 T140D.
I've owned 7 Bonnie's 59 61 63 67 68, all from new, plus 04 and 05. The 1968 was, IMHO the best, an excellent handling light weight (165kg claimed) This was the model that in 1969 lapped the IOM at 101mph, the first production bike to do it ,and won at an average speed of 99.99mph. The last time Bonnie's won anything major was the 1978 production bike championship in the UK, 1978. Not bad for a pushrod engined designed in 1949.
Again IMHO the latest models are too heavy, more power, but lugging around an extra 45kgs makes them cumbersome in the twisties, more of a cruiser than the sporty sixties bikes.
The Kwaka W650 was a good copy of the 650 Bonnies, They kept to the style and appearance of the era more than Triumph have, and with big improvements to the engine. I actually went to buy one last weekend but was half an hour too late so I'll have to wait for another one to come on the market before I can compare the two, but I won't be surprised if it's better.

[tri boy]

I think the Black n Gold paint work is in tune with Belstaff being involved.
They could of done something special, rather than a coat of slops, and a marketing campaign. (904cc kit with hot cams, CR carbs, exhaust, and Ohlins, and Berringer brakes):yes:

[tri boy]

Heres my pick for a Belstaff Bonnie.
Just what a gamekeeper would prefer to check the foxes out with.

Belstaff originally designed the jackets for pheasant/duck shooting.
(large pockets for shotty cartridges).

[RentaTriumph]

Ah come on if the W650 had come out with a Triumph badge on it it would have been embraced as the best thing to happen to Triumph for years.

I saw a Kawaiumph at this years BEARS in Chch. Bloody beautiful she was too and here is the proof.

[wickle]

I like it. But why not twin dials? Any comparisons with the original Bonnie are mute though as it is not the same thing nor the same company ;).
i agree twin dials and personally a set dunstall type pipes

[fridayflash]

i agree twin dials and personally a set dunstall type pipes
too right! and a hand beaten alloy tank,and..and..and..

[AllanB]

Only one of the pictures below is a Triumph - the rest are Kawasakis.

[tri boy]

Rode a W650. Powered up like a CB400N, and handled even worse than a standard Bonnie.
Oh, and the bevel drives arn't the best either. But whatever floats ya boat.........

[Coyote]

Only one of the pictures below is a Triumph - the rest are Kawasakis.
I assume it's the one with the Triumph sticker on the tank?

[KiwiRat]

Looks a bit too much like a Commando. Nice paint, but wrong make bike to put it on.

Triumph paint jobs should always have the "Swoosh" (Up yours Nike)

It should be compulsory.

[Big Dave]

Only one of the pictures below is a Triumph - the rest are Kawasakis.

and I could pick it without enlarging the thumbs. :rolleyes:

Speshial treasure:

Few pages from the 1967 brochure.

I got after we did the KR photo shoot - it couldn't have been a better match. Even to the style.


I'm currently taking some old images and repairing them - that's the screen shot.

Then I'm sticking them on tee shirts.

http://www.cafepress.com/davidcohen/3132793

[AllanB]

I like the old T120TT - don't need no stinking mufflers!

Hmmm just imagine going for a WOF on one of those today - "but it meets the code, this is the factory original exhaust system......"

[HenryDorsetCase]

I have a Trialmaster Professional suit on a hanger out the back. Out where that peculiar smell is less noticeable. Trying it on now could be a source of deep personal humiliation so it just hangs there.

Ed Hertfelder (sp?) summed it up, "They come standard with seven different colours of mold and a smell that has you followed around by packs of horny dogs..." )If the quote isn't quite right forgive me, that's from thirty odd years ago.)


sell it on egay: its a prestige brand and you will get heaps for it....

I used to love "The Duct Tapes" in Cycle magazine..... Ive still got a bunch (OK, every one I ever bought) from 1982 on...... still funny as.

He had a thing for malted milk balls and milk crates, too. and vans.

[pritch]

I used to love "The Duct Tapes" in Cycle magazine.....

His "Clint Eastwood Invitational Enduro" piece was one of *the* funniest things I ever read. Brilliant!

[Bonez]

Wrong. Electronically timed at 113mph at the MIRA test track, 1959. later models were a bit slower 111mph.Sorry, they where ment to do 120mph.

[Bonez]

I assume it's the one with the Triumph sticker on the tank?LH gearbox cover is a dead giveaway.

[Bonez]

Rode a W650. Powered up like a CB400N, and handled even worse than a standard Bonnie.
Oh, and the bevel drives arn't the best either. But whatever floats ya boat.........But it does come standard with a kick start and centre stand :bash:

[Ixion]

Sorry, they where ment to do 120mph.
Hm. On thqat basis the T110 failed also.

[Bonez]

Hm. On thqat basis the T110 failed also.And the T100. Grand sales pitches though.

Just like the "Ride the Leg end" ones.

[MD]

and I could pick it without enlarging the thumbs. :rolleyes:

Speshial treasure:

Few pages from the 1967 brochure.




Shit!! It's the Moors murderers, Brady & Hindley, in pic. 1 & 4. I hope the Manchester Police have copies of those mags.

[eliot-ness]

It's a general misconception, no doubt encouraged by Edward Turner who devised the system, that the model numbers were an indication of top speed. The numbers did in fact originate in the 1930s with the models T70, T80 and T90, 250, 350, and 500 sports singles. The T100 followed the sequence, and, according to the press at the at time, was capable of 100mph. With 33bhp and weighing 167 kgs it should have reached that figure. BSAs Gold Star 350was 34bhp, 105mph. The T110 and T120 were logical model numbers to follow after the war. I'm not sure about the T110, the wife had the 1961 model which would show 110 on the clock two up, possibly just over 100mph true. The unveiling of the Bonneville in 1958 claimed nothing more than a top speed of over 110mph. The 1963 T120 had an R added, which of course was immediately misconstrued by the buying public to mean racing, it in fact meant nothing and was dropped the next year
The post war T100, slower than the original, eventually led to the 1969 T100C, Daytona which was faster than the Bonneville of that year, 113mph.

Despite his other faults Turner was a marketing genious and knew exactly how to pull the customers, start a rumour and let them do the rest. A ploy that some of the Jap firms still use

[Gibbo13p]

I personally think it looks like an old Yamaha but I like it :)