Attempted Theft on the Bonneville | London Life
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- Опубликовано: 4 фев 2025
- Attempted theft on the Bonneville and quite close to my limit with the bike. A good start to London life.
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I'll be honest , I would choose a decent tent in a field rather than living in London or most big city's...detest the places. Life's too short to spend any of it in an environment like that,
Especially now 😡
Depends on the part of London, I live down the road from Chelsea in Parsons Green - it's lovely here, I've been here 31 years, associated with the place 41 years - hardly anyone here locks their bikes, I am a few hundred yards from Warrs Harley store - the problem with where Freddie lives is that he is on the outskirts of central London, the area as been impoverished since Thatcher years the 80's - plus since the Torys have got in we have lost 4000 police from London roads, and in 2019 Amber Rudd reduced the 32 boroughs commands in London within the M25 to just 12 command centre's ( you may tell I have inside knowledge) motobike thefts no longer appear on official crime figures, but if you rob a bank for the same value of your bike then the plod get upset!!!
Tent in a field sounds good to me anyway
Absolutely the arse of the country.
Agreed
Hi Freddie,
The relay of the electric starter got damaged in “run” position. This is why the engine started when you turned the key. And then the starter motor was running all the time of the 20 min. so you have run out of battery. Just replace the starter relay and charge your battery.
You can actually hear the starter motor running while the engine is running during the video. Probably due to low voltage (because the starter motor consumes a lot of battery) the fueling system was malfunctioning and the engine was running a bit jerky. I suggest that after you fix it you run again the calibration process with a fully charged battery.
Awesome advice Sir! Hopefully Freddy hasn't already sold a kidney to buy the Harley...👍👍
Something that crossed my mind and, hopefully, that is all it is, but when it is trying to start, the lights are still quite bright
@@jezza1421 Nice diagnostics and hopefully Freddy will adopt a new perspective…its not a problem…its a learning experience…an opportunity…credit card down…have coffee…apply mind…fix the issue of the moment!
@@MarkDaviesThailand I was tempted to go into remote mechanic mode, but, given the circumstances and symptoms being displayed, the problems could be a multitude of things and could be made much worse, so it needs to be tackled in a logical sequence by a hands on mechanic. It's fixable
I wonder if your mechanic got one tooth out on the cam timing ? That’s not your issue regarding starting, but might be why it’s running badly.
I'll be honest Freddie there is not enough money in this world that would tempt me to live in London. It would be one of my biggest personal nightmares just the thought of it.
i left in 2014 and never ever looked back.
Spare a thought for those of us that remain here...I've been itching to get a bike for months now but knowing how London is has constantly put thoughts of doubt about the whole idea in my mind. The thing is, the Bonneville is not even worth that much anymore, are thieves really getting this desperate now? It seemed that not long ago they only went after the expensive stuff.
I must admit it did surprise me you going back to London... as soon as I saw the first shot of your motorbike parked in the street I wondered how long it would be before there was an attempt to steal it....
Really glad your lock saved it from being stolen.... a really good advert for that item.
Ask for the reliability of the triumph let's hope it is something simple.... that's the problem with motorcycle today so much high-tech that you can't touch without some diagnostic and an expensive part replaced.... back in the day it was just points or carburettors, was there enough fuel in the tank etc etc. And usually you get going again.
I always wanted a modern triumph but after hearing you wait for a part all those months I think Triumph have lost it....
I've been looking for a motorcycle to join my 800 BMW airhead.... first of all I considered the Royal Enfield 350 but then the Himalayan caught my eye... I've done so much research on them... but the latest is the Honda 500x... extremely well proven engine.... great reliable performance... second-hand prices pretty damn good...
I just think amid range adventure Bike will be ideal for me as I live in Wales and frequently in Scotland camping....
Good luck with your quest whatever it turns out to be 😊
Same for me Mike, could not think of anything worse than returning to London. Shame as it used to be a decent city.
Back in the 1980s I used to leave my bike in the street with only the steering lock on, in London. Overnight, a small U-lock. No locking petrol cap. When I saw Freddie's street parking arrangement, it was tempting to say something. No surprises it has already been got at in 2023.
This is a really sad episode. I’m sure all bikers share your pain. Attempted theft and a breakdown is very upsetting.
Sounded like the starter motor was engaged all the time it was ticking over, someone either had had a go at the starter motor leads to start it or it has stuck meshed to the flywheel with the damp weather , theft attempt more likely , unfortunately it has then been ran for 20 mins meshed against flywheel so will be burnt out , another reason to move to northumberland , hope you get it fixed 👍
This is what I was thinking. Unfortunately probably due to the attempted theft.
Pretty depressing. My wife and I retired to upstate NY and enjoy wonderful roads and little to no crime (previously we lived on Long Island and it's getting pretty bad down there). We can't even see our closest neighbors and it is rural country. It's bad enough when the bike has problems, but when you also have to deal with crap people it just gets worse. I ride an RE Classic 500 - enjoyed your videos on this bike. Good luck in these weird times.
Like others have said, the starter motor sounded like it was constantly running, so yes it looks like you are going to need a new starter motor. As for the wiring, it’s possible water ingress was causing the starter motor to constantly turn over put its a bit of a coincidence that it was happening after the theft attempt. Try jumping the starter solenoid with a screwdriver like you used to. If you’re lucky it might just be a sticky/ dodgy solenoid and your starter motor still works, chances are the starter is toast as well as possibly the solenoid. On the plus side, they’re quite straight forward things to replace. Good luck. I’m sure you’ll have a follower or two local to you who could help out.
Exactly this ... a new starter, solenoid and an oil change as with the starter constantly running you'll have a lot of it in your oil, it should be good. The bonnie is easy to work on too so you could do it yourself.
When he said im going to leave it for 20 mins I was like nooo rip starter motor
@@zacrushton2399 absolutely! Starter motor wont stop after the engine is running. Could hear it still engaging.
Why do you bother give the thieves a present of that thing
Freddie, I love the way you keep your spirits up, even with an attempted theft and a broken bike! Nothing a coffee with Monika won’t fix. Having followed your trials and tribulations with the Bonny, just look back at the video you made in Lithuania when you reviewed the Classic 350. You were happy, it made you smile, you even said it made you feel good to be alive. You rode it in Spain, you toured Wales on it, it looks awesome and it won’t let you down. Blimey, I bought one on the strength of your review alone and….you were right. It’s the best bike I’ve ever owned. I’m 66 now and ridden 250s, 500s, 650s and this is all you said it was. At the price you can pick one up, surely it’s a no brainer? I wait in anticipation…..
Freddie, I think it is a small miracle that your bonnie has even kept up with you all this time with not much trouble until now and with "less than stellar" maintenance. Looks like she might have reached the point were she'll start breaking down fairly consistently without proper maintenance. For how hard and unrewardingly you rode her, I think you should consider yourself blessed she stayed so strong up till now (that Africa trip must have been real hard on her). Don't forget that any bike can last just a year or a hundred years all depending on how much you take care of it.💯
Regarding the Bonneville my first insting is to say check your wiring because it sounded very much like as soon as you turned the key the starter motor was wired to run continuously (not good) The theives would have been trying to get it running ready to go as soon as they had defeated the lock. My guess would be that the starter motor has now burned out from being continuously powered. Just guessing mind you.
My thoughts too.
@@tweetchris46And mine
Agreed, that starter did not sound happy
This was the first thing I thought of too, hopefully Freddie listens, easy fix, like selling your bike cuz it has a flat tire
Let's hope he reads this 👍@@jean-pierrefernandez2460
I was screaming at the TV to turn it off not run for 20mins on a self start like it did. Hope you can get it sorted 🤞
Me too ! 😂
Hope you & monika are alright, you've said last episode too, London seems notoriously theft prone keeping everything safe is top priority
Freddie, am a fan of Tenerife & have been following your videos. When I saw the shoplifting video I almost laughed at your innocence. I know you've been out of the contry but I must tell you.....where I live in Camden, beyond about 2pm you often can't find steak or expensive fish in any of the smaller, 'local' designation supermarkets. This is due to shoplifters who go in & totally clean-out all the high value foods, under the noses of powerless security guards. It's been like this for about 18 months & only last week I read that retailers, representatives from the Met' Police & a Government task force have held meetings to see what they can do about the problem. I also almost messaged to warn you NOT to leave the Triumph anywhere & I'm amazed you still own it after leaving it parked for a week....to my mind you've been lucky. If you bring the bike to Camden or Islington & park it, I'd give it 48 hours max (and the D'-lock won't save you).......please be careful Freddie, don't leave it anywhere, the only bikes they nick more are Ducati's, so don't buy one of them either!!
Someone here will tell you it's all Thatchers fault from the 80s.
I don't for 1 minute think it's Thatcher's fault....what I will say tho' (& apologies for even taking this in a political direction) is that it's the fault of successive politicians who, as out-of-touch as they are, or in the pay of whomever or for whatever reason have failed to legalise drugs. Veichle crime, petty theft & shop-lifting in particular, as any police officer will tell you, is almost exclusively carrried out by junkies (by which I mean herion addicts, crack-heads & meth users) who steal, then hawk the stolen stuff around London pubs & betting shops (I've been drinking when they come round with their wares). I'd urge everyone to read Johann Hari's excellent book 'Chasing the Scream' for an in-depth analysis of the problem & why the continued 'War on Drugs' is so idiotic........ @@columbmurray
@@columbmurray More like Blair from the 90's - but let's leave politics out - its such a foul subject these days....
@@freemenofengland2880Blair’s fault? He hasn’t been PM for more than 16 years. How far down the rabbit hole of complete, swivel eyed nonsense do you have to be to blame a politician out of office so long a two year at the time can now vote, for a shoplifting problem that’s sprung up in the last year or so?
No wonder politics is foul when people can’t even apply basic logic to it any more.
Nope, Brexit will get the blame.@@columbmurray
Hiya bud . About your leather jacket. Twice a year put mink oil on your jacket. Let it sit for 24 hours. Then put aussie conditioner on it . Your jacket will last a lifetime and although one hundred percent waterproof it will repell water . Or dubbing. After the mink oil
Sell London flat. Use dough to buy flat in Ipswich harbour keeping 10k back to buy Harley Sport Glide and tasteful pair of chaps. Grow large moustache. No charge for life coaching.
Genius
Freddy You have great optimism, don't let the buggers grind you down! Enfield 350 is the bike , never going to loose much money on it and you know it well.
I even keep my Bike locked inside my shed, I feel your pain. Good the lock helped.
It's so weird seeing you in an area 2 mins from where I grew up and an area I used to live until a few weeks ago.
Do not leave your bike there. The pub right there had all its outside furniture stolen TWICE.
Has to be a T120 surely!
I picked mine up two weeks ago and I’m totally in love.
It's too much of a coincidence Freddie, I'd say the thieves have tampered with the ignition.
And if you have to leave a bike outside for any length of time put a cover on it , it would keep the rain off it but obviously wouldn't deter thieves, so sorry to see your troubles in this episode, but I think it's time you took the stress out of your life and got yourself a late model reliable bike , I've had my time with unreliable bikes in my early years, in the end I got really naffed off with repairing instead of riding, and having a late model reliable bike was brilliant piece of mind .
Out of the choice you looked at the Classic 350 is the best value and so easy to live with , I can't stay off mine , and I have two other bigger bikes !
Hope you get sorted with something anyway, good luck! 👍
I think your well overdue a new machine, treat yourself mate - life is too short and you should enjoy yourself while you can! Loving the videos Freddie, keep up the good work! 👍🏍🏍👍
I agree, maybe keep this old dog for messing with on a rainy day but get a decent reliable bike to venture on,.. even my,Ducati Scrambler is less trouble!
Nobblies and off road it!@@Ralf916
I agree
@@Ralf916 Don't be ridiculous...Ducati and reliability cannot be used in the same sentence..Motorcycle Law!! 🤣
Back in mid seventies i lived in small town in ireland i had small motorcycle and people tried to break into garage to try and steal my small motorcycle thats back in them years
I have a Litelok X1 and I wouldn't be without it now, just that price of mind. This is a great advert for the company. Have a look at the Triumph new 400s Freddie.
Freddie, because the bike was auto-starting when you turned the key on, I couldn't tell with the audio of the bike running but have a feeling you burned the starter out and that's why it's just clicking when you tried starting it later after it ran for 20 mins. I'm sorry to see that someone tried to steal your Bonneville (huge fan of the bike and would love to ride one some day). My first thought was someone trying to tamper with the ignition to hot-wire the bike when they were trying to steal it. Of course weather could cause screwy electrical issues as well but it's a little too coincidental that it was doing this after someone tried stealing it. Best of luck figuring it out and looking forward to your next video!
PS - Check the ignition circuit first starting at the battery, the ignition solenoid and fuse, then the starter. Also put one hand on the starter motor itself and then press the starter button, if you hear and feel the starter "clicking" then most likely it's seized up. It's also possible the solenoid burned and is not passing voltage through to the starter. The good news is it's a very simple system so it shouldn't take long to figure out which component(s) died. Best of luck brother and I always enjoy your videos! Thanks for all you do for the biking community, it's much appreciated!
Just started watching your chanel, hard core biker 40 yrs really enjoy watching .Dont change nothin. Thanks
Hi Freddie, I'm not going to repeat what many others have said about the starter motor. I feel your pain. Would you consider buying a Guzzi V7? I recall that you liked it and wondered why it wasn't more popular. You can get them for any price and they're true classics, aircooled, reliable, easy to work on, huge fuel tank, shaft drive... Of course I'm biased because I own one, but it's been almost two years and I still love it!
Freddie, a Moto Guzzi sounds like it would solve all issues. I know you really are not interested in doing service on your own bike as much as you might like the idea of doing so, however I think you will grow as a person by moving in this direction and learning how do service the bike yourself. Think about it.
@@trailrunnermike grow as a person??
I feel your pain, Freddie. Ive had a bike stolen many years ago. Its a horrible feeling. Mine was recovered, but i never felt the same about it afterwards.
Probably trying to nick it for the gaskets.
Protecting itself???😂 it’s knackered
Freddie - assumining your bike was re-mapped for the 2 into 1 exhaust after you switched the standard exhaust you should have 1. Back up the existing ecu map for recovery if needed, 2. Re-flashed the bikes ECU with the standard ecu map - let we know if you need the standard map. Use a laptop and get an odb-2 cable from triumph twin power but read their help page first it covers how to adjust the tune back and the "Reset Adaption" process. Look at TuneECU tutorials on u tube.
ouch, that deal might hit Freddie too hard, lol
Are you kidding, he can barely change the air filter!
@@tombryan1which would be ironic. Something as simple as a dirty air filter could be the cause of his high fuel consumption problem. The last time the bike was used in anger was the Sahara trip...
Ive just bought a HD softail deluxe and I absolutely adore it, just waiting for the roads to dry as I look after my bikes. You wont regret it!!
Ah Freddie I feel for you, man!
You've had some amazing asventures on that Triumph and thats what you need to hang on to.
Two of my bikes live outside: covers, trackers and locks help, but even in this sleepy Dorset town we have low-lifes stealing catylctic converters from cars in briad daylight so I'm constantly on the alert.
The world shouldn't be this way but we have to meet it how it is rather than how we want it to be.
You & Monika are an inspiration and I'm now thinking my future lies in Southern Spain (my Dad lives there).
I love this country, but crime is getting ridiculous and then there's the weather....
What a great advert for Litelock; I'll ve replacing my Abus Granite D-locks with these in time and you can tell them you sold me on their brand.
Best of luck, buddy! 👍
But the weather is getting ridiculous and then there's the crime.... 😂😂
@@freemenofengland2880 we have to get our priorities right!
You know what Freddie... If Triumph were on their game they would contact you, offer to pick up the bike and you, take you to their master service center and fix your bike up like new! They are missing a trick here!
Absolutely agree with this. Freddie you are almost a Triumph Ambassador
@@roddyb exactly right! But In a certain way (which I am sure Freddie would agree with) he likes the challenge! Sod Triumph, although I do love ‘em!
Thats the best logic I've seen this week. Freddie as brand ambassador. Yes. Fix his bonnie. Give him at least two new bikes each year for long term tests.
A sad video but a true reality and a wake up call!! At least you still have it, stay safe Fredie & Monika! 👍👍
you left it running for 20mins with the starter motor operating. so it's probably burnt out, (it's trying to turn, so probably not just the brushes worn down) either the starter solenoid is stuck. the relay is shorted out, the starter button is stuck/shorted, or an associated live wire is earthing somewhere. hope this helps. cheers.
Would a voltmeter show the voltage drop with the starter running constantly? I've just added one to my ride and I'm always watching the baseline values.
hi, yeah you should see a bit of a voltage drop. try pressing the starter button with the engine running so you can see it & recognise it if it ever happens. i'm not sure if it will let you on modern one touch systems. you can usually hear it spinning over the engine noise.@@fallinginthed33p
Had a similar journey. Been riding old vintage bikes for the first 3 years of riding. One day I got fed up and bought a 2017 RnineT Scrambler with 5100km on the odo. Best decision I’ve ever made (“only” 6k gbp). 😊
Glad u still have the bike, keep it safe 👍
Sorry to hear about your troubles with your Bonneville, not surprised you are looking at alternative bikes. Sounds like the bike needs a good overhaul. All bikes and cars get to a stage where things start to go wrong. Once they are fixed your good to go for a while again. Also your bike get properly used, lots of miles and all weathers.
All triumph owners go through it eventually. They realize that their incredibly expensive, hard (no parts availability) and expensive to maintain bike with bottom of the barrel reliability just isn't worth it. No biker I've ever met stays on a triumph. Ever.
@domenik8339 iv got a 2001 bonny 790cc and never have problems with parts. Most reliable bike iv ever owned and iv had hondas kawasakis and enfields. Also got a speedmaster again with no issues. Love Freddie but you can't mistreat a bike like he does and not expect consequences
I agree with comments about the starter motor stuck on when you turned the ignition on. The starter motor is probably toast now. I was praying for you not to try and start the bike again. If the key barrel is undamaged by the theives and the key turns as usual my suspicion is that water might have ingressed into the kill switch assembly during the week the bike was standing in the rain. If so, this might cause a short in the kill switch causing the starter motor to be permanently engaged when the ignition switch is turned on. If that's what happened it's not really a poorly engineered bike....it could just as easily happen to a new bike. Best wishes.
Everything seems to have gone wrong since your move to London, I've said before i wouldn't live there for a gold pig. My GoldStar arrived on the first of March and it's been a joy, there's nothing like a single for character. No issues whatsoever and perfect for The Trough of Bowland and buttertubs runs.
That’s a brilliant advertisement for Litelok! I watched you previous video and was immediately worried about safety of your bike, given the fact that we no longer have a police force in the UK. I’m surprised your bike was still there! I also have a Bonneville 865cc but mine if highly customised. I have a rule that I never leave it out of my sight ever! I’m lucky insofar as I’m a lot older than you and I have a military background and being old, life in prison is no longer such a concern as it once was so I’m super aggressive when it comes to protecting my property or anything I care about including family. If I had seen that shop lifter in your last video, at the very least I would have broken his arm. I know this sounds extreme but in this world we we can no longer depend upon the police, the tough ones have to stick up for those less able to protect themselves. Sorry that this sounds extreme but, unfortunately, it’s just the way it is today.
You'd get battered by the thug. Keep yourself safe and don't get stabbed to protect a £20 tesco item...
No way was that Litelok damage from a grinder. More like the thief tried to push the bike away and it got jammed up in the forks repeatedly.
said nowt wrong.
Holy cow, what a day, glad they didn't get your bike, i hope you get running again, but i think you would be happier on a new one. And your videos show that RE classic seems right up your alley. Take the plunge. New bikes run good and its up to us to add the miles. Have a good day from the heartland USA. ( The state of Iowa).
You need a W800. They come in your favourite colour. Sound like a British 60's twin, are super reliable and even have cruise control if you get an SE model.
Sounds like the starter motor was shorted out, and after 20 minutes of running the engine with the starter engaged it may have seized, stalling the engine and preventing it from turning over. You two would look good on a Speedmaster!
Water ingress into the handlebar controls or the starter relay could cause this.
Very likely as you say. It happened to me in very wet weather riding. The electrical connections under the ignition switch got wet and starter came on while riding and remained on. WD-40 immediately solved it. When Freddie said he was going to run it 20 minutes as is, I cried NO, NO, NO... poor starter.
@@gustaf3 I concur with your diagnosis. Automatic water cooling of the Triumph ignition switch was patented by Joseph Lucas, Prince of Darkness. I'm surprised that it has made a return on the latest ones from Thailand. The ignition switches on the Meriden Triumphs were ingeniously mounted sideways to reduce the ingress of water.
My dear mum, an Eastender, escaped London years ago. She loved “old” London but it broke her heart to see what happened!
@philallen4989 She left in 1949. Yes there was crime, but the communities were strong and English. Now it’s a multicultural s**t hole with stabbings and crime through the roof!
What happened mate? Spit it out
@@alexbooth5981work it out, Einstein.
@@alexbooth5981Mass demographic change, massive number of unassimilated foreigners. I’m sure that’s the answer you were baiting for.
@@williamva1544 I'm sure HIGH crime pre dated your mum... it did my great grandfather and he fought in the first world war .. and (fire fought in the second a time of high crime )....new types of crime maybe.... my parents survived London in the sixty's (and they knew a few hoods ) different types of crime in general legal and otherwise have always been part of London ..
Hi Freddie, RE 350 Classic, excellent bike. But do not forget the RE Intercepter. I have both and very good value for the price 👌
Hope you get sorted 👍
It sounds like the starter ran on once the engine caught. I reckon the starter burned out/died/seized and stopped the engine - hence no restart.
N battery is flat now
Freddie, this is why you have a two bike stable, so when ones under the weather the other bike shows you the love! 👍
Freddie the thorough dipping it got in the flooded plains of Suffolk could of affected the circuits . That litelok saved your day, but a trade in is looming for sure 😢
A bike cover would have saved the water in the sparky bits ffs😅 18:49 ❤️ that track, thanks Monika 💕
The starter never disengaged Fred while it was running for the 20 mins.starter prob gone now.
Grew up in London - kept my then moped on the patio. Loads of friends that had theirs damaged or stolen 😢...now live in the Midlands with a big Garage and although I go back to visit relatives, would never move back. Hope u get the Bonnie fixed- I have a 1999 SV650S that is becoming an electrical nightmare but I love her so persevere 😊
Glad that you still have the bike. Its hard to give up on a bike maintenance speaking. Worth more than the sum of its parts.
I have my first motorcycle in a shed out the back.
A 1997 yamaha SR125. It should have been buried in a field 20 years ago... nope... I put one replacement engine in it. New front forks. Also one top end rebuild. Looking for a brake caliper without much luck. My point is its not worth the work and money I put into it, at all. Will i repair it again? Yes. Yes I will.
Something about that underpowered basket case keeps me smiling.
Thankfully not my only muttercycle.
Follow your heart Freddie
Hi Freddie, have been following your twists and turns for awhile (years) now and like your style because you are you and not overly concerned about following the biker stereotypes. You’re genuine reaction to the Bonnie self starting was priceless and felt your pain at not knowing WTF was going on with it after waiting 20 mins and still looking down the barrel of another period of bike off road whilst in the garage. We all want Honda reliability with classic individual(ish) style but always a trade off and especially since you’re deliberation of carbs over EFI bikes. Buying modern bikes does not necessarily equal reliability. Hope you get the Bonnie sorted, regardless what you choose to do next. PS. Currently running and touring on a 23 year old carbed XJR1300 200SP and only the terrible Datatool 3 alarm immobiliser has ever left me stranded. Now and forever bypassed and extinct. Keep on keeping on and good luck with the new bike. 😊👍😎
Sorry to hear that. You should definitely get a Moni Moto GPS tracker installed if you don't already have one.
Or a sizapp
I purchased one of those locks from Litelock, expensive but worth every penny(London Life!). Good luck with the Bonnie, if you can keep it as a second bike and get one of those 350 Enfields
Look for a more recent T120 Freddie. That bike is synonymous with you and Monica. The 350 Classic is lovely, but it's nowhere near as suitable for long trips two-up. I went from an Interceptor (which I loved) to a T120, and the difference in comfort and stability, especially two-up, is ginormous. Speedmaster is a good shout too, but I still think the T120 is the one.
Seconded, recently got a 2019 T120 and it's just fenomenal
Traded my BMW GS for a 2020 T120 Bud Eakins Edition. Couldn't be happier
@magnet2345 best colourway, without a doubt.
Such a pity you couldn't find a place in Suffolk. I'm in rural South Cambs and I count myself lucky. Used to live in London, for years, and loved the buzz, but that was 30 years ago.
We were begging Freddie would hear the engaged starter motor before running the bike any longer. :( The starter was probably short circuited by the thief. That would have been the case with any bike. No fault of our beloved Bonnie. Hopefully she gets another chance!
Triumph Speedmaster. Your reviews on this endorsed my purchase it just puts a smile on your face every time I start it up.
I've owned eleven Triumphs from 1996 through 2023 but this would be the same advice if your bike was any another brand so for you is put it back on the street and leave the lock off and the key in it.
Your location, circumstance and desire doesn't fit any motorcycle that is fairly old. If you were into routine maintenance then sure an older bike would be fine.
Hi Freddie, I just bought a Classic 350 - absolutely love it. But if you take Monica on the bike, then I wouldn't advise it. I think you would need something with a bit more power. Also, I came to Australia about 40 years ago - from Bexleyheath, not too far from Belvedere. Never been back, never missed it!
Little 350 would be great option. Reliable, can take you anywhere and cheap.
Imagine all the touring videos you could do with a small capacity bike. The real adventure compared to larger capacity bikes.
While I love the REs they don't have immobilisers, so he wouldn't have one for very long.
I have a Kryptonite disk lock on my bike that has saved it twice from theft to my knowledge. Thieves managed to get a screwdriver into the ignition and disable to steering lock but couldn't move it away due to the rear disk lock. There is a tracker inside the bike as the next level of defense. LA life.
Watching the "back in London" video last night, as the camera panned to the Bonnie locked up outside in the rain, l said to my partner I wonder how long it'll last there?
I'm only at the beginning part of this but one plus is that lock you use has given me a bit of assurance in its ability to perform its job... a small silver lining
Why on earth would you leave it out in this weather without a cover?
Freddie, dear Freddie, tut, tut!!
I hope you learn from this lesson and for goodness sake give her a wash. Lol
Finally keep up the good work it's entertaining. 👍🏿
Hi Freddie! Re your BLJ, if the weather is just right, I like nothing better than to wear my leather jeans, and my old Lewis Leathers Lightning jacket, and go for a spin on my 1200 Speed twin! Back in the early 70s, it was what we all wore! I hope your Bonnie issues get sorted out without too much pain.
This is where carburettor bikes win out. If running rich just drop the jet needles one notch, or swap to smaller main / pilot jets. That won't help your Bonnie, though. Sorry to hear about your experiences with crime, very intrusive. I don't think I could hack London life, for all its pleasures. Of the three bikes you've shortlisted I would love to see you and Monika with the BSA, I think.
Hi Freddie,Monica, hope you get the bonnie going, watched your films-on 350 classic reborn,was not aware of the bike until I saw your films, test rode one,bought one.absolutely love it, thank you
I would rather have lived in a tent in Ipswich than live in a penthouse in London. It is a vile disgusting cesspool of a city.
So sorry to hear about the attempted theft, but London! it goes with the territory. i had 4 years there, more than enough. I call it my capital punishment years lol. Anyway hope you get the Bonneville fixed but if you don't and sell it, buy something reliable like a v strom or a cb500x, look forward to your next video
I can't help but feel that what made London great for decades is over. It's on a downward spiral...
I live in south-east, and I'm happier than ever. :)
Fred have you seen the Fawlty Towers episode when Cleese gave his car a damn good thrashing with a tree branch? Could you try that?
Oh Freddie... very sad to hear they tried to steal your Bonnie, my friend had his bike stolen last week 😢
Enjoy following your adventures hopefully you'll back on two wheels soon all the best.
I'd have thought ign switch has been tampered with, was the starter running all the time? Seems too much of a coincidence with the theft.
Lucky you had that strong lock!
I hope you fix your Bonnie, but if you decide to move on to a 'new' bike, my choice would be the Speedmaster 12000 (as I chose this last year).
As you already know, the bike is awesome, and Monika will love the passenger seat.
Cheers from Munich.
Echoing everyone else, I was definitely surprised to see you move back to London. It's a dismal place and between the noise, the crime, and the exorbitant cost of everything I genuinely don't understand the appeal for anyone. I've turned down many job opportunities over the years because they had a London office. And then add in being a biker and voluntarily moving to the city which accounts for 1/3 of all the UK's bike theft, well it's bizarre to me.
With all that said though, I do hope this rough start smooths out, that you can fix the Bonnie using the comments below regarding the starter etc, and then either enjoy it or sell it and have a good time living where you are. The videos will be good regardless though, I'm sure.
Time for a really loud alarm Freddie!
I'm not 100% sure but if they hot wire your bike wrong the starter could be turning all the time, in which case it is totally fried now, you have to do 2 things, inspect the wire harness look for any cuts, the good news is that absurdly easy to get to, 2 pull the starter motor out and bench test, replace any faulty or vandalized components
I should add that it's easy to test the starter, you get a battery, the negative anywhere on the starter motor, put the positive to the post that sticks out, where the wire usually goes, you know right away if it's good or bad
Don't sell the RIUMPH BONNY, your viewers see it as an extension of you after that epic Africa ride. You have expounded the attractions of vintage furniture in the past month and related that to your love of your retro-looking Bonny. You are so important in the UK Triumph market, there will be all sorts of help out there for you. It will make great material for future videos - everyone likes a motorcycle repair vid. It should your mission to get a grip of your motorcycle and have various experts do things to it over the winter. New right-hand switch pack, new loom, replace fuel lines and pump, a proper ECU diagnostic vid - all compulsive viewing. (Please don't get a weedy 350 - it is not your kind of brand).
Your jacket is ideal for that one weekend in April where the weather is just right.
Wellcome to London. Khans utopia
I love that you only have one bike and that it’s not the top of the range newest machine. Keep the videos coming 😁
I give you six months tops in London. High crime, woke police, ridiculous speed limits, speed cameras, what's not to like? You and your lovely companion deserve a place that respects you the way you respect others...as for the Bonnie, Triumph should give you a new one if they had any marketing nous.
It’s time…. Get a t120! Just bought mine… love it
To me - that doesn't look like angle grinder damage.
It looks like the damage you get when someone just ignores the lock and pushes the bike until the lock jams the wheel.
Lots of negative comments about London.
I am relatively new to London 9 years now.
Coming from an affluent midland town I have come to totally love London. It really does depend where you live. I live between Maida Vale and Notting Hill. Love the vibrancy, the pace, the creativity and the people in my neighbourhood. Compared to the burbs it feels like freedom.
Sorry Freddie you had this happen but I am afraid you do need to have it locked away and locked to something immovable
Too many scum bags in London who have no respect for anybody or anything to even consider living there to my mind. Keep safe both....Suffolk calling.
Freddie I literally live down the road in thamesmead.
Round here you need to keep your bike fully secure or in a lock up. I see stolen bikes go past my house nearly every weekend. The thieves are on our door step.
Lock everything up and be safe 👍🏻
Revs are too high, and from the look of it so is that headlight Freddie 😮
Yes I had an attempted theft, I also have a litelock and chain my bike to a lamp post with an Oxford Beast chain. They ripped the cover off, saw the locks and left. One of my neighbours saw them, there were four of them on petrol scooters. Two of them blocked the road off and two of them ripped the cover off.
Re: your bike . It's obvious that the mechanics did not fix your bike properly. Call 'em up and let them know. If they are honorable ,they will fix it , if not let your viewers know who they are. Good luck both.
As a Kiwi who lived in London in the 80s on and off for several years during my overlong OE, it literally breaks my heart to read the comments below regarding this amazing city that gave so much joy and adventure to myself and the friends I met along the way - both the places I lived, and the places I worked. There's just something wrong now. And it isn't just London. It's here in what used to be Godzone, but now in our cities and towns just more theft, violence, anti-social behaviour, gangs, you name it. It's so sad. However!!! The Bonnie will live on. And thanks to you both for making our days every time we see a new vid pop up. Good luck to you and everyone, and ride and travel safe.
It done it’s job , some horrible people out there .
Great advert for Litelok 🙂 I'll get one to replace my ageing lock on the strength of its demonstrated resilience 🙂
Freddie, you have no mechanical aptitude at all. I'm not enjoying watching you slowly destroy that bike. The second you turn the ignition on a bike and it doesn't do what it's normally always done before, "YOU TURN IT OFF IMMEDIATELY" and investigate. I hope you have some luck from the biking gods.
I used to commute into central London on my BMW GSA but eventually the stress of the traffic, finding a place to park, and the number of attempted thefts/vandalism on my bike did for me. Now I wont even ride in london at all, just not worth the hassle. Happily I no longer work there, have moved away, and no amount of money would ever tempt me back to that hateful place, not even for a leisure visit
London is no place for humans.
I have the BSA and I couldn’t love it more. Highly recommend it!
Hi Freddie, welcome to my world of Triumph electrical gremlins 😢 I have a 1200 explorer (supposedly an adventure bike) only it also doesn't like water!!
I'm sure it's sorted by now but I'd try a new battery as the amount of weird things I had happen when the battery was faulty was amazing.
Thanks for the video regards Rob.
Aww Freddie. Not a great time for you. Sure the Bonny will be a relative easy fix. Try some contact cleaner or water dispersant as it’s been wet outside. Also the battery was sat for a long time without use whilst in the garage. Get it checked as it may be dead now. It usually manifests itself once the cold wet weather starts. Here’s hoping the next videos you have it all sorted.