My father served in the British Army and he was CO of the Royal Signals motorcycle display team 'White Helmets' in the mid 1970s. They used Triumph Tiger 750s as their main rides and they also had two Triumph Adventurers / Trophy Trials for the jump tricks. I remember the brutal sound that those bikes used to make when I would sometimes watch them practicing displays in Catterick as a young child.
I've had many,many bikes in my life, Japanese & British,I've owned 3 classic triumphs&still have my mint 1980 T140e..The best bike I've ever had.never fails to attract attention wherever I go on it..well done to Mick..👍
On my 2nd T140 now currently on a 79 model. I ditched the front Master Cylinder for a 2008 K1200RS BMW unit and replaced the handlebar switch with very cool Slimline Pingel switch since they had that crazy combined brake switch setup . What a difference in feel and it looks great. It’s crazy you can get parts for these easier than on many Japanese bikes
I have a 1968 T100T 500 Daytona, and I absolutely agree with Mick on the Single carb, my bike runs great on one carb, it starts first time every time, even when there’s an audience 😂 and you can’t tell much difference in performance, once it’s setup right it stays right, it’s a pleasure to ride. Cheers for the video great looking Machine. 👍
My T160 , has an extra disc at the front and the brakes are awesome, I have never ridden a modern road bike , and all my bikes are from the 70s , GL1000, and a 73 Norton 750 with a big floating disc , that works good to , they all give you that cool nostalgic feeling , good fun , helps clear the head .
I bought one of these in 1977 with about 1000m on the clock. It looked fine, but just about everything that could go wrong went wrong. And I loved it. The problems began with the engine design fundamentals - as an excessively bored out 360° parallel twin it shook everything into fragments, from the engine itself to bulb filaments to the petrol tank. That, combined with inherent design flaws (watercooled clutch and gearbox internals, self-ejecting header pipes, popping rockerbox gaskets (x13), seizing brake calipers front and rear) almost non-existent quality control at the manufacturing stage (ungreased needle-roller steering head bearings) taught me a great deal about bikes. I see the indicators have been removed: was that because the owner could not keep up with the pace of bulb replacement, or because of the acrimonious divorce between the plastic indicators and the chrome which temporarily shrouded them? And then the electrics . . . But to repeat - I loved it.
Hi. I maybe should have mentioned them being absent in the video but as I did say the bike is as it came to me. I do have a set of indicators (eBay purchase) but haven't fitted them as I love the bike without them and I am very used to riding bikes without indicators. As for quality, I spoke with John Rosamund about this (he was the effective MD of the Meriden Co-Op) and quality control was an issue for the Co-Operative. I also recall on a factory visit in about 1980 there was a fleet of complete bikes that were being sorted by the quality control team who, it seemed, struggled to keep up. But a good one is an utter joy.
I’ve a 78 Tiger, UK breadbin tank, it’s completely standard except for an external oil filter, I’ve had it for many years, other bikes have come and gone but this bike will stay until I can’t ride and then I’ll probably keep it just to look at! It’s a brilliant bike and can do almost anything other than prolonged high speed motorway work. That’s a lovely example, the seat doesn’t look quite right though as it curves up at the back and the bars look non standard too.
Thanks for posting, a pleasure to watch. I honestly believe the Tiger 750 (TR7RV), compared with a contemporary Bonnie, is the better bike. Easier maintenance, smoother and very, very similar performance and possibly a bit more economical gives the plaudits to the Tiger. And you get a nice one little bit cheaper, too……well, that used to be the case.
I bought a ‘77 Silver Jubilee Bonnie and I used it like a motorbike rather than an ornament. It was the worst made motorbike I have ever owned. A truly awful thing. My brothers ‘74, quite rare T120V was a different bike all together, fast, smooth and an utter joy to ride. I’ve owned BSA, Ariel, Enfield so I know what to expect.
Great bike with that single carb. I think it had a larger jet so it was quicker 0-60 mph than a Bonneville. I had an 82 Tiger Trail. Very easy to start and totally reliable. Only issue was the gearing which was a bit high for the road - off road it was a mountain goat , despite the weight and minimal suspension travel.
@@shuttersandspeed The road bikes were geared appropriately. To overcome the weight issue for off-road conditions, I think they put big cogs on the rear. This made the engines work a lot harder on the road.
Do a Brembo 4 pot brake calliper conversion with either light weight or floating discs, you could put a T150 front end on their to give twin discs on the front as I have done on my '79 T140
I bought a new Bonnie in 78 and again in 82. Both wonderful bikes, the frame paint and wheel chrome was very poor on the 78. Enjoyable rides but they had to go when I wanted to go on European holidays. My Moto Guzzi was much better for fast long distance roads.
I've had a couple of t 140's and remember the clutch plates used to stick together arfter a couple of days and you couldn't get neutral at a stand still, but not bad old bikes.
Every Triumph rider pulls in the clutch for the first kick of the day just to make sure that the plates are free. I do the same with my old Ducati too.
You always need to clear the clutch before starting to get a smooth initial engagement. Getting neutral at standstill with the engine running on a Triumph with a 4 speed gearbox shouldn't be an issue. This one is a 5 speed and neutral can be tricky at standstill when the engine is running so I tend to engage neutral as I come to a stop. I've been told that it is inevitable with the 5 speed box, and that with correct set-up it shouldn't be an issue. I've tried several times but have so far failed to improve neutral selection at standstill, so now I just live with it.
This is a 1977 model. The Tiger stayed in production until 1982 but not for sale in the USA because of the Mark 1 carb. In the final Triumph catalogue it was not really advertised but if you asked your dealer they would order one for you.
I can remember seeing the Bonnevilles in my local dealer in the late 70’s, can only remember them having a couple, export model with peanut style tank & high bars, but no Tigers, until the short lived 650. I’m guessing that would be around 82/83ish?
Such a shame that the rising pound priced them too high. From 1976- 1978 they went up 50% in price from $1,995-$2800. Quite a lot of money 💰 back in the 1970's. Plus every road test in the magazines had some piddly little things go wrong. Such a shame 😢.
Doesn't look like UK spec or US spec Bonneville tank. The Les Harris bikes used that shape and maybe some of the last Meriden models like the TSS 8 valve Bonnie.
As I say in the video, taking into account that we are not these days racing them about there's no real difference except a twin carb bike not in tune isn't as smooth. That I purchased a TR7V over a T140 was delibereate, for that very reason. BTW I do have twin carb Triumphs...
Absolutely lovely only one problem, after 1973/4, they copied the lefthand side Japanese gear change, no doubt promoted by governments wanting to make money! Why they succumbed to do this beggars belief, England was the first to make Motorcycles, & any movement across the centre point of the bike is more balanced for bracing or changing gear! The people who thought up these reasons, understood more than most people think. England was first with water cooled engines, from the Scott 500cc, 1934ish. Also, A-frame rear suspension on the Vincent's, & there are many more! The best bike I ever had was a 1973 T140V, with modifications. I must say that your Triumph Tiger 750cc looks very tidy. Thankyou. Happy Holidays.
The USA was still a vitally important market for Triumph so when the US Government mandated left hand gear change Meriden had no choice. It was developed during the sit-in and tested on the Meriden car park.
@@mickbarratt9636 thanks for that, 'so it sounds like the Brit & US governments worked together! Governments pretend to be at loggerheads with each other, but they do this to keep control over the people. Hence continues Wars, all over the place! Have a good Christmas👍🇬🇧
Correct @@JoshuaRoberts-kq9cs , but I suspect that the comment was a bit tongue in cheek! For the record I saw her moving about and so I used my foot to keep her still so that Steve wouldn't need to chase her about with the camera. In the end I pushed her off the stand to keep her still. They do move about on the centre stand but are tame compated to the Commando! FYI I was told that running them on a mat will keep them still, for example when using a strobe light or tuning the carbs, and it works!
@@mickbarratt9636 And here i was thinking the strobe light was only to be used for my disco era.I can still here Bonny M coming out of the speakers.lol.
My father served in the British Army and he was CO of the Royal Signals motorcycle display team 'White Helmets' in the mid 1970s.
They used Triumph Tiger 750s as their main rides and they also had two Triumph Adventurers / Trophy Trials for the jump tricks.
I remember the brutal sound that those bikes used to make when I would sometimes watch them practicing displays in Catterick as a young child.
Fantastic memories
I've had many,many bikes in my life, Japanese & British,I've owned 3 classic triumphs&still have my mint 1980 T140e..The best bike I've ever had.never fails to attract attention wherever I go on it..well done to Mick..👍
Thank you for watching
On my 2nd T140 now currently on a 79 model. I ditched the front Master Cylinder for a 2008 K1200RS BMW unit and replaced the handlebar switch with very cool Slimline Pingel switch since they had that crazy combined brake switch setup . What a difference in feel and it looks great. It’s crazy you can get parts for these easier than on many Japanese bikes
I have a 1968 T100T 500 Daytona, and I absolutely agree with Mick on the Single carb, my bike runs great on one carb, it starts first time every time, even when there’s an audience 😂 and you can’t tell much difference in performance, once it’s setup right it stays right, it’s a pleasure to ride. Cheers for the video great looking Machine. 👍
Thank you for watching
I have owned a 1976 version of these bikes since 1985 -they are truly a wonderful bike
Having never ridden one before and being a little sceptical if I am honest it was a great ride. Thank you for watching
My T160 , has an extra disc at the front and the brakes are awesome, I have never ridden a modern road bike , and all my bikes are from the 70s , GL1000, and a 73 Norton 750 with a big floating disc , that works good to , they all give you that cool nostalgic feeling , good fun , helps clear the head .
Yas absolutely, if you have a bad day then what could be more therapeutic than an hour or two on one of these.
What a beauty..thanks for the vid boys.
I bought one of these in 1977 with about 1000m on the clock. It looked fine, but just about everything that could go wrong went wrong. And I loved it. The problems began with the engine design fundamentals - as an excessively bored out 360° parallel twin it shook everything into fragments, from the engine itself to bulb filaments to the petrol tank. That, combined with inherent design flaws (watercooled clutch and gearbox internals, self-ejecting header pipes, popping rockerbox gaskets (x13), seizing brake calipers front and rear) almost non-existent quality control at the manufacturing stage (ungreased needle-roller steering head bearings) taught me a great deal about bikes.
I see the indicators have been removed: was that because the owner could not keep up with the pace of bulb replacement, or because of the acrimonious divorce between the plastic indicators and the chrome which temporarily shrouded them? And then the electrics . . .
But to repeat - I loved it.
Interesting, just sums up British manufacturing in the seventies
Hi. I maybe should have mentioned them being absent in the video but as I did say the bike is as it came to me. I do have a set of indicators (eBay purchase) but haven't fitted them as I love the bike without them and I am very used to riding bikes without indicators. As for quality, I spoke with John Rosamund about this (he was the effective MD of the Meriden Co-Op) and quality control was an issue for the Co-Operative. I also recall on a factory visit in about 1980 there was a fleet of complete bikes that were being sorted by the quality control team who, it seemed, struggled to keep up. But a good one is an utter joy.
a proper dynamic crank balance is what they need
I’ve a 78 Tiger, UK breadbin tank, it’s completely standard except for an external oil filter, I’ve had it for many years, other bikes have come and gone but this bike will stay until I can’t ride and then I’ll probably keep it just to look at! It’s a brilliant bike and can do almost anything other than prolonged high speed motorway work.
That’s a lovely example, the seat doesn’t look quite right though as it curves up at the back and the bars look non standard too.
That tank is from the Newton Abbot model not Meridan.
had a green and white one back in the 80s , a right hand change export model , great bikes
Thanks for posting, a pleasure to watch. I honestly believe the Tiger 750 (TR7RV), compared with a contemporary Bonnie, is the better bike. Easier maintenance, smoother and very, very similar performance and possibly a bit more economical gives the plaudits to the Tiger. And you get a nice one little bit cheaper, too……well, that used to be the case.
No problem and thank you. I am just grateful that people like Mick give me the opportunity to have a ride on these classic marvels
I bought a ‘77 Silver Jubilee Bonnie and I used it like a motorbike rather than an ornament. It was the worst made motorbike I have ever owned. A truly awful thing. My brothers ‘74, quite rare T120V was a different bike all together, fast, smooth and an utter joy to ride.
I’ve owned BSA, Ariel, Enfield so I know what to expect.
Great bike with that single carb. I think it had a larger jet so it was quicker 0-60 mph than a Bonneville. I had an 82 Tiger Trail. Very easy to start and totally reliable. Only issue was the gearing which was a bit high for the road - off road it was a mountain goat , despite the weight and minimal suspension travel.
This one's gearing seemed about right to me thanks for watching
@@shuttersandspeed The road bikes were geared appropriately. To overcome the weight issue for off-road conditions, I think they put big cogs on the rear. This made the engines work a lot harder on the road.
Do a Brembo 4 pot brake calliper conversion with either light weight or floating discs, you could put a T150 front end on their to give twin discs on the front as I have done on my '79 T140
Nice vid, a T140 is on my shortlist so this is great …but you didn’t need that music at the end, just a recording of the bike is more than enough.
I bought a new Bonnie in 78 and again in 82. Both wonderful bikes, the frame paint and wheel chrome was very poor on the 78. Enjoyable rides but they had to go when I wanted to go on European holidays. My Moto Guzzi was much better for fast long distance roads.
My mate has a MotoGuzzi or two and he would agree.
SYLE WISE.... SHE'S A BEAUTY! 👍🇬🇧
I love my t 140 bonneville ❤️
I've had a couple of t 140's and remember the clutch plates used to stick together arfter a couple of days and you couldn't get neutral at a stand still, but not bad old bikes.
Every Triumph rider pulls in the clutch for the first kick of the day just to make sure that the plates are free. I do the same with my old Ducati too.
You always need to clear the clutch before starting to get a smooth initial engagement. Getting neutral at standstill with the engine running on a Triumph with a 4 speed gearbox shouldn't be an issue. This one is a 5 speed and neutral can be tricky at standstill when the engine is running so I tend to engage neutral as I come to a stop. I've been told that it is inevitable with the 5 speed box, and that with correct set-up it shouldn't be an issue. I've tried several times but have so far failed to improve neutral selection at standstill, so now I just live with it.
I’m guessing this must be close to the last of the 750 Tigers. It looks good.
This is a 1977 model. The Tiger stayed in production until 1982 but not for sale in the USA because of the Mark 1 carb. In the final Triumph catalogue it was not really advertised but if you asked your dealer they would order one for you.
I can remember seeing the Bonnevilles in my local dealer in the late 70’s, can only remember them having a couple, export model with peanut style tank & high bars, but no Tigers, until the short lived 650. I’m guessing that would be around 82/83ish?
@@martinowl The 650 was called the Thunderbird
Such a shame that the rising pound priced them too high. From 1976- 1978 they went up 50% in price from $1,995-$2800. Quite a lot of money 💰 back in the 1970's. Plus every road test in the magazines had some piddly little things go wrong. Such a shame 😢.
Looks like you would like one of those for yourself Steve
Yes I probably would, along with several others.
I came I saw I subbed
You are so welcome
That’s a 1980 triumph Bonivlle 750 tank colour scheme
Doesn't look like UK spec or US spec Bonneville tank. The Les Harris bikes used that shape and maybe some of the last Meriden models like the TSS 8 valve Bonnie.
It’s the same tank as my triumph Bonivlle t140 750 1980
It is not! - you can`t even spell Bonneville
@@garryhills8648 can you tell the difference between one and two (carbs)?
As I say in the video, taking into account that we are not these days racing them about there's no real difference except a twin carb bike not in tune isn't as smooth. That I purchased a TR7V over a T140 was delibereate, for that very reason. BTW I do have twin carb Triumphs...
Absolutely lovely only one problem, after 1973/4, they copied the lefthand side Japanese gear change, no doubt promoted by governments wanting to make money!
Why they succumbed to do this beggars belief, England was the first to make Motorcycles, & any movement across the centre point of the bike is more balanced
for bracing or changing gear! The people who thought up these reasons, understood more than most people think. England was first with water cooled engines,
from the Scott 500cc, 1934ish. Also, A-frame rear suspension on the Vincent's, & there are many more! The best bike I ever had was a 1973 T140V, with
modifications. I must say that your Triumph Tiger 750cc looks very tidy. Thankyou. Happy Holidays.
The USA was still a vitally important market for Triumph so when the US Government mandated left hand gear change Meriden had no choice. It was developed during the sit-in and tested on the Meriden car park.
@@mickbarratt9636 thanks for that, 'so it sounds like the Brit & US governments worked together! Governments pretend to be at loggerheads with each other, but they do this to keep control over the people. Hence continues Wars, all over the place! Have a good Christmas👍🇬🇧
I have never heard such cr*p
@@mickbarratt9636 good answer to a stupid statement
Thanks @@stevec-b6214
Its definitely not running because its not skating about on its stand
Actually it was running and when he gave it a few revs it moved to the left.
Correct @@JoshuaRoberts-kq9cs , but I suspect that the comment was a bit tongue in cheek! For the record I saw her moving about and so I used my foot to keep her still so that Steve wouldn't need to chase her about with the camera. In the end I pushed her off the stand to keep her still. They do move about on the centre stand but are tame compated to the Commando! FYI I was told that running them on a mat will keep them still, for example when using a strobe light or tuning the carbs, and it works!
@@mickbarratt9636 And here i was thinking the strobe light was only to be used for my disco era.I can still here Bonny M coming out of the speakers.lol.