2002 790 bonneville

[greenmanalishi]

Help, I have fallen in love with a 2002 Bonneville, it is the 790cc model with tacho and centrestand and some other non standard goodies with 17k on the clock, reasonably tidy and asking price is 2.5K. Is there any reason I should not get it or is there anything in particular to look out for? I have never had a Triumph before but always wanted one. Any help or oppinnions (sic?) appreciated. PS the exhaust note is particularly seductive and makes my Transalp sound as though it has lost it's voice.

Thanks in advance.
GM

[Threewheelbonnie]

They are generally bullet proof and that simple there is nothing to go wrong. Just ask the usual questions.

Chances are the previous owners will have spent a fortune on probably useless shiney bits and ways to turn petrol into noise. I like to see the standard bits come with a bike and an owner who underdstands that those two little bits of brass that came with the loud exhaust are not optional, but maybe that's me. Some of these noisy polishers can't fit their Union Jack tyre valve covers without stripping threads inside the engine, so it is worth gauging if the number of changes match the percieved skill of the PO.

If you intend to ride rather than polish, once you get it home clean all the electrical connectors and ditch the *****y british coil for a nice waterproof German one (they are on e-bay). Then just ride, it's what I've been doing since 2004.

Andy

[greenmanalishi]

Hi Threewheelbonny, thanks for the info. I took said bike out for decent test ride. Engine pulled like a train, handled well, sounded glorious. Sadly the seat was like a plank and my teeth were still chattering 10 minutes after I got off the bike because the back springs were so harsh. ( i may have been spoilt by the transalp here) Anyway although I could just about afford the bike I could not afford to upgrade the seat and replace the shocks with Ikons which is what most people seem to do judging from the threads on here.

It is still in the shop, maybe one day when I can afford upgrades i will look at other bonnies, til then thanks once again.

GM