1969 Triumph Bonneville on 2040-motos

A couple of years ago, as I was finishing the restoration of an old Yamaha, a handsome gentleman in his mid-70s walked into my garage and introduced himself.  He was a neighbor from up the street whom I hadn’t yet met and he told me that he had often noticed many of the motorcycles that appeared on my driveway were British.

He went on to say that he had one item that he wanted to strike from his bucket-list and wondered if I could help.  That item took the form of installing a 750cc big-bore kit in his drop-dead gorgeous 1969 Triumph Bonneville 650.

He had purchased the bike fully restored with zero miles on the odometer a few years previously and had only ridden just over 600 miles since.

How could I refuse?  That Christmas, Santa left him a beautifully manufactured AERCO 750cc kit and we set to work.

The stock Bonneville head was sent out for new guides and seals, along with a multi-angle regrind performed by one of the premier Triumph machinists in the land.

Naturally, we took the opportunity to clean and rebuild both carbs, install light-weight pushrods and tube seals, as well as all new gaskets.

A couple of months later, with everything complete, the moment of truth came for the first firing of the Blue Angel as a 750.

Remarkably, the Bonneville burbled on the first kick and with a second tickle of the freshened Amals, it fired and idled on the very next attempt like it had just left the Birmingham factory.

The Owner and I have since become good friends and I have agreed to handle this eBay sale on his behalf.

While he initially swore he’d never sell the Blue Angel, his health has now been compromised and he’s decided to allow a fortunate new owner to enjoy this beautiful example of the most iconic Triumph twin ever made.

With the installation of the big-bore kit, the Blue Angel has covered an additional 500 miles in its break-in program and presently shows 1,190 miles since complete restoration.

Here is a summary of pertinent details:

• the Blue Angel has now won many awards at local meets, shows and bike nights

• the bike is finished in a beautiful Triumph metallic blue with silver wing flashes and hand-painted gold pinstriping

• included with the sale are the original factory items to return the engine to 650cc

• there are no dents or scrapes on the fuel tank and the chrome remains beautiful.

• there is no key for the steering lock and as such, the owner cannot guarantee that the lock is operative.

• with that exception, there are no known mechanical, electrical, aesthetical, safety or other detrimental issues present in relation to this motorcycle.

• the bike carries no liens or encumbrances and comes with a clear title in the form of an Alberta government registration, plus a legal Bill of Sale.

• the sale will include a shop maintenance manual, but there is no Owner’s Manual or tool kit with the bike.

• the bike will be delivered with the fuel tank drained and the battery disconnected.

Please also note the following:

We've attached the maximum number of pictures allowed by eBay, so please study them carefully.  Should you require any additional pictures of the Bonneville, please contact me with the details of what you need and I will do my best to accommodate you.

For US Buyers, the Bonneville will be shipped from Sweetgrass, MT (59484).

For Canadian and International Buyers, the Bonneville will be shipped from Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Buyers may elect to have the bike delivered in a dry, free-rolling state or wrapped and fully secured on a purpose-built pallet at a nominal additional cost ($200 for materials and workmanship), but MUST devise their own shipping arrangements accordingly (fork lift may be required).

Payment shall consist of a US $1,000 deposit within 48 hours of being declared the auction winner or a $3,000  deposit immediately upon processing the Buy It Now option.  Balance due in reasonable time by Bank Draft, Certified Check/Cheque or electronic transfer once Buyer and Seller have each provided the other with appropriate documentation to assure each party that the transaction is both safe and legitimate.

Seller will hold the item for a reasonable time without charge, in order to allow the Buyer sufficient time to make shipping arrangements.  We will function as partners with honesty and integrity to make this purchase and sale a very pleasant transaction for each of us.

Scammers are not welcome here.

Buy It Now requires a US $3,000 deposit, with the balance payable as soon as Buyer and Seller exchange pertinent identification and both are confident the purchase and sale is legitimate and secure.

While I’ve seen many classic Bonnevilles, none can match the sheer beauty of this particular example from 1969 and I can assure you that it will look no less than wonderful in your collection.

Happy bidding!