The story of my Bonneville begins with having some spare money in my checking account. I had been browsing bikes on ebay for years, Triumph’s especially. I came across a 1977 Bonneville in a “basket case” state. The owner was taking it apart and had spent $1100 in parts. I knew nothing of Triumphs or British Bikes but I knew I wanted one and this seemed affordable to at least get the parts home. It was located in East Troy,WI a lake town I have been to because a friend’s lake house. If it was anywhere else, or further I probably would have passed. I knew less than nothing about Triumph’s but gathered the later ones were probably the only I would ever be able to afford. So one night I see it on eBay and before I can bid it ends for $1700.
I know on ebay most big money auctions fall apart. So I e-mailed the seller and told him to call me if the high bidder didn’t pay. Needless to say the idiot that bid spoke to him once and never paid or made arrangements to get the bike. He called me and I told him I would be there the next day. I called my friend Kyle and we were able to head to his Lake House the very next day. I literally cashed out everything I had and only had 1600$ which I offered him. He said he was firm on 1700, luckily Kyle spotted me the extra hundred, as he wasn’t gonna not let me get the bike for a lousy 100. Side note after fees on ebay he would have made $1500 only. We loaded the frame and parts into the van and headed back to Chicago. After unloading the bike me and Kyle had to pick up tickets to See Iggy and the Stooges, which was coming up soon. That show was fucking awesome, but that was much later.
It took a long time to get my Triumph up and running due to certain lack of knowledge, funds, and time. But after a year or so of learning, falling and getting back up I had a running Triumph. And not a stupid new one. Immortal thanks to my Dad as well, he had a bunch of bikes long ago I didn’t realize. It was even featured in a commercial, they paid me to bring my bike to McCormick place and used it in one small shot where some guy is sitting on it. I had to pull the Triumph badges off the tank but that’s her alright. I actually did catch the commercial on TV ONCE! It was pretty cool to see MY BIKE on TV. I’ll put the video below. Bike can also been seen on the header of this website.