People go on and on about the sound of a Harley, but the truth is nothing sounds better than an old British twin. I have a friend who owns some where around 47 motorcycles and most of them are Triumphs and BSA's, what a collection! I had a neighbor move in down the street in 1964 who owned a 1947 Harley and took me rides on it. In 1965 another neighbor bought his teenage son a Honda CB160 and he let me drive it. In 1967 I bought my first motorcycle, a Honda S90 with money I saved from my paper route. I am now almost 70 and still ride. You might say I'm hooked.
I, too, love the sound of British twins, but also love the sound of the big V-Twin Harleys, Indians and the one Japanese Harley Clone: the Yamaha Roadstar. Best Harley I ever owned. I just wish I never sold my 1974 Norton.
I know this is a year old, but this put a smile on my face. I miss my old Dad, he took me on my first motorcycle ride, it was a new '69 Triumph Trident. I'll never forget it.
Your dad sounded like he was cool ,when you ride your bike look to your left ...your dad's next to you riding his triumph trident ,take care mate 👍. Peace out ✌️
@@bartmotorcycle No sir you're right spot on. Bout 45/50 is perfect. Brakes can safely handle these speeds, rider can avoid trouble, and the engine is not pushed too hard rpm wise. When we were young we rode them hard and tore them up and in many cases ourselves too not having the wisdom of just enjoying the bike and it's wonderful throaty sound and superb handling geometry. Young and foolish we over revved the engines and tore up the transmissions hot rodding and never thinking or having the money to undo the damage we did. I thank God for the wisdom of age and the dawn of common sense so that we can now appreciate them and their era with of motorcycle history with some sensibility.
Couldn't agree more! I do find myself wanting to push it a bit sometimes but I want it to last so I lay off. But it's actually quite fast! At least it feels and sounds fast. Cheers!
@@bartmotorcycle Yes sir. They are fast and cat like quick. They were modeled the T100 because they would do 100 mph and more right out of the box. A lot of track records were set on those T100's. You will find that given reasonable care and basic maint they are very reliable, easy to start and infinatly re-buildable. Parts are easily avaliable and they always are the star of the show at any gathering of motorcycles. You made a perfect choice in choosing a 500 Triumph. Having owned nearly every model of BSA and Triumph over my 50 plus year span or riding and collecting them I can say hands down the 500's are my personal favorites.
I have watched many of your videos and I must say this is my favorite. I am your dads age, and have a similar story. Time spent riding my motorcycles with my kids on the back have been some of my finest memories. It appears you have your foot in two worlds, you are from the younger generation and have a bit of a tendency to judge older bikes by today’s standards. But then you also have a fascination for older hardware. Loved your video on the CBX, your deep research makes up for the fact that you have never even rode one. Bravo to you on that. Bravo to you for getting a real Bonnie, not what most would have suspected your generation would have chosen. Your dad’s advice was spot on. Now, show more twisty Hawaiian roads. And classic projects. And small children trying not to get burned by the exhaust riding on the back of an old bike.
My dads gone man but I miss him everyday. He was more into rods but yes he did influence me. He was the fonz to me. Awsome video appreciate all the time you spend together.
Good taste in bikes. I'm a 79 Triumph owner since I bought it new. Most reliable bike ever but can eat some chain if you pound on it. I like the 79 as it has disc brakes and one more gear than the old ones plus the standard layout with shift and brakes where everyone else had to put them. Gets 60 MPG too. I bought it for the handling , looks and gas mileage back in 79. It still is one of the best handling bikes to ride and still looks better than anything new.
When we were teenagers we couldn't afford a Harley so we bought Triumphs and fell in love with them. They are great bikes and with the upgraded parts available today you can build them oil tight and very reliable
My Great Uncle Percy got me into riding. I remember we where visiting him in the 90s I was a kid and he had a Speed Triple. I was blown away about. Got me on the Triumphs lol. Got 3 now. Rocket iii, Thunderbird 1600, and just got a 73 Daytona 500. Thanks for all the videos Bart!
My Dad had a HD 45. He loaned it to a friend to take his girlfriend to New Orleans. Both were killed in an accident. He did everything in his power to keep me from getting interested in bikes. That just made my love for Brit bikes much greater
The grin on your Dad's face says it all. About that side stand; some triumphs had a small bolt which made the resting position of the stand adjustable. If yours doesn't have one, you can easily drill and tap the stand so that the bolt points to the frame lug and there you go. Beautiful bike. Nothing like them.
My uncles had Harleys and Indians when they were young. My first motorcycle was an Allstate Puch 175 that I got from a junkyard and fixed up when I was 14. I had to work on it constantly but I put a lot of miles on it and had tons of fun with it 😁
My dad rode bikes when he was in the RAF in Germany in the 50’s.I just love old classic cars and motorcycles.They are just aesthetically pleasing to look at..You don’t get that with modern bikes and cars.
I still have my 67 T100 Tiger. I bought it in '72 for $500. Same color green tank white stipe, white fenders with green strip. Two into one high pipe on the side. Sounds just the same. Engine and trans rebuilt this year. Have an Enfield 500 Bullet single in olive drab military green. For my 70th birthday this year I added a Bonneville 900 Street Scrambler. Two high pipes on one side. Going to add green to the white tank. Could be the Irish in me. Live to ride, but ride to live
My dad had an AJS500 twin which he rode when he was younger. Then in the 80s he commuted on my brothers starter bike CB125 1978. So i was aware of bikes but no one encouraged me. I just decided to buy a bike without learning (because I was dumb). The guy I purchased it off said “It’s one down five up” and I said “What does that mean”. I pushed it around it’s first corner. So silly. I gave up riding (no license the entire time) in the late 90s….then started again and got the license and all of the lessons in 2016 and have been riding ever since. I’ve got two bikes in the garage. 21 GSXS750 for fun and a 22 GSX250RFL for commuting.
Now THAT is what you call a motorcycle, none of that electronic assisted ride by wire crap ,just a bike that edward turner thought that every common or garden person could ride ,in other words ......bloody sex on wheels 👍👍👍👍. Well done mate ,treat her like your wife .....keep her clean and happy .
Fun video, thanks. I can relate in some ways. I'm 70 and still ride on most nice days. I've had many bikes but never owned a Triumph. A friend in college had an early Trident 750 which he let me ride and I loved it. FAST! A few years later I bought a Norton 850 Commando and it was FASTER! I tried road racing some and did well, but it was expensive so I dropped it. I then started "collecting" - which means I bought a few more but never sold any. '42 HD WL, '63 HD FL, '70 HD FLH, '72 HD XLCH, '74 Suzuki TM400, 1985 Yamaha FJ1100 (FASTEST YET) and then a couple of Yamaha Roadstars (Harley much improved Clone.) At 48, my 11 year old son and I were nearly killed by a drunk in a Jaguar. My son bounced and split his lip, and had a concussion. I was less lucky and got busted up big time. Several surgeries, a couple of years of hard rehab and I was back 95+%. My oldest son still wants a bike (our accident made him the coolest kid in class that year.) And my 2 younger boys who visited me in the nursing home for months, are not interested in bikes. My wife got the worst of it, as she had to hold down the fort while not knowing if I would survive for a few days., and then watch my slow progress in rehab. One day, about 10 years after the accident she made a big sigh after a Harley rode by in traffic. I said "What was that?" She said she "missed the biker part of me." I quickly got her permission and bought a Yamaha Roadstar, similar to the bike we got nailed upon, and got my medical info tattooed on my back. Roadstar is the Japanese best version of a Harley, which means it's better in every way and about 1/3 the price used. I am convinced that motorcycles are dangerous, but that makes them more fun even beyond the physical thrill of speed and wind and motor and gears. And please always wear emergency worker colors when riding anywhere near half conscious, drunk or stupid cage drivers. (They are everywhere)
Your dad rides a 73' CB350? Funny, we just picked up a 72, garaged and last licensed in 85'. A lot of seals and hoses needed replacing but it's actually in too good a shape to daily but my father does want to ride again. We're gonna try some car shows since my father, me and my friend own bikes more than 50 years old in running condition and bikes are underrepresented at local shows.
My dad rode dirt bikes from his late teens until his mid 30s, he would act like a dualsport and as soon as the cops hit the lights he'd take off down any dirt trail he could fine. Never did get caught, came close once though. I started riding dirt bikes when I was 5, a 50cc, then a 70, then Enduro racing a Honda CRF100 from 12-21 (far too long) but recently bought a Honda CB500x to use as a commuter and for offroad fun on the weekends. Think I'll stick with Honda's for life. Never having a problem with one has been convincing enough for me, and I never thought the maintenance was very fun.
This reminds me of the times when my dad and I rode together. Two of us were fixing motorcycles together. Now that my dad is pass away, the triump is another bike that I would like my dad to ride. thank you very much
My cousin got me into riding. He used to race Bultacos and Harleys in flat track racing in the 1970’s. He first put me on an indian mini bike in the late 1960’s when I was four years old. I almost wrecked it. That is where I got started. Been riding ever since and I am getting close to 60.
Loved watching & listening , it took me back to my riding of British bikes many years ago. One of those was a ' 67 Norton Atlas. One nice evening l invited my Dad to join me for a ride on the back. He enjoyed it, but kept saying " let me drive it!" , so finally l stopped, & we switched places. It was a different experience being a passenger & l was a little nervous at first., but got to enjoy it. Glad he got to try it because, not having near the mechanical know as him sometimes he had to help fix it for me!
When I was little, Dad took me to the barber shop on his Vespa. When I got a bit older I saw Steve McQueen in The Great Escape and was sold. When I hit 18, I bought a slightly used 1970 T-120 Bonneville and have been solidly hooked ever since (5 bikes later into my 70's! - do wish I had not sold the Bonnie!)
My Dad bought me my first bike, a non running Ducati 250 MK3. He taught me everything in the process of getting it to run, mechanicals & electrics. What a bike that was. Happy days! He used to "steal" it on Sunday mornings when I was still in bed.
A Triumph was my first bike. It was a ratty old 66 Bonnie, leaked oil, rusty, smoked. Learned to ride on that bike, mostly in the dirt. Traded it in 6 months later for a beautiful 500 Daytona. So sweet. Also later had a 69 Bonnie and even later a new 75 T160 Trident. Those were some great bikes and I wish I had them all back. Had a Z1, several Yamaha ( 5) RDs, several Virago 750s, the original Kawasaki Ninja ( very fast for that time ) and now I ride an 1100 Yamaha Virago. Ride safe and ride home.
My dad was my influence also he rode Hondas Yamaha Harley like your pop I rode all the same bikes to now own HD a couple of them great video love your stuff. Thanks Bart
My motorcycle journey started with my Dad's Honda Cub50. I was about eight and it had been sat unused on our back yard seemly forever covered over with some old sack cloth over it. One day he fetched some petrol, started it up (about two kicks) and he took me for a little ride around our neighbourhood. I was hooked from that moment on. My dad had bikes for many years during the war years before I was born. Bikes were in my family on both sides. Sadly, my dad is no longer with us and he passed away before Triumph as a brand was reborn but I know he'd like my 2021 T100. He'd like your T100 even more though 👍😁😁😁
Had a 66 Triumph Bonnie. One night tried to get away for a weekend involving trying a high speed (80mph) Highway run. Vibration stopped that very quickly. Fine back road cruiser. Not a highway bike. My 72 Suzuki T500 was better real world ride. Despite two stroke vibration and popcorn sound
I have a ‘69 Triumph Trophy 250. Such fun bikes. I love the little process of tickling and kicking it over. I feel like it’s ready to rumble in shorter order than my ‘07 carb’d Speedmaster on a cool day
I've always wanted a 1950 Triumph Thunderbird like the one Marlon Brando rode in "the Wild One". I'd settle for a 40's or 50s chopped harley like Lee Marvin rode in the movie, that would be pretty amazing too.
The right hand shift was off putting! After left hand shift! Nearly killed me several times So stable! Speedo on back wheel, gravel road drifting on corners! Sixty five ,mph on back wheel when doing forty five !
I still miss my '69 Norton P-11 scrambler even though it's been 48 years since I sold it for $450. All's well though. I'm riding a '67 Bonneville now. I'm keeping it as long as I can kick it over to start it. These bikes have soul. When I first bought it I went into a motorcycle shop that sold accessorys looking for a license plate frame. A salesman started to show me all the plastic offerings and I had to stop him and explain there's no plastic on the bike now and I'm not going to start adding it. I found a black metal frame one that does the job.
I have heard it said that 67 was a great year for Bonnies. I had a 69 and I thought it was great also. Ended up putting a Bob Chantland aluminum barrel 750 kit on it with R cams. Sweet and 125 MPH fast! Crazy with such iffy brakes back then.
Back in the 70's owned a Daytona, Trident and Bonneville. Great bikes except for oil leaks when sitting. We all had the cardboard under them back then. During that time especially when AMF took over Harley-Davidson, everyone bought a Triumph. Either you had a Harley or a Triumph.
Sweet looking Bonny. Pretty enough for a living room. If the rider is not used to the shifter and needs to stop all he has to do is push down on both pedals and pull in both hand levers. The bike will stop.
My dad never had driven or ridden a motor bike. When I was 16 about 155 LBS and dad was about 220 I talked him into a ride at least on the back of a 1970 CL175 Honda. Found out quick he did not like leaning, Ha! As I went into a lean to round onto another road in 2nd gear he lean back up right making the bike straighten up too and me ending up wrestling both me and the handle bars back down into the lean to make the turn, Ha! Did have a all stock 1967 Triumph Daytona later they are a 367 lbs bike the bore is the same as a 650's but with a shorter stroke.
My dad had a '76 cb750 which is currently non running and then a 98 sportster, and then a Buell X1. He doesn't ride anymore for the moment sadly but gave me the itch and a ride behind one of his friends Monster 1000 made me purchase a 600 at 18 years old. 11 years later I ride a Monster 1100evo and will get a 2nd bike as I just ride too much for just one lol
i dont know if your name is Bart, but whatever reason this channel is named Bart I just wanted to say to you that I have started to become a fan of your videos and the narration you do in every single video, thanks for those videos Mr Bart
OOPS, He missed one cog, but he was having a ball and I envy him. Obviously it is not his first ride, your Dad is a champ. I have only ridden a hot Trident and it scared the hell out of me.
A nice old bike the T100, in my youth a 500 was a 'mans machine' and as for any 650 "Why would anyone want a bike with all that power". These days those power figures are paltry, anything less than 100bhp is a 'learner suitable' bike.
Ha! Pretty cool…you could tell he was thrilled. Betting that someone will be seriously considering swapping out a Honda 350 for a nice classic Triumph when they get back home! (Side note: You gave me the jones for one, too. I’m older than your dad…first motorcycle was a ‘72 Bonneville I bought off the showroom floor with what was left of my college money. Just watching him tickle those Amal carbs did it for me….)
The reason, why I love my Royal Enfield Bullet 500 from 2004 (but engine and all are from 1940's-1955), Triumph Bonneville T140V 1978, old two-stroke bikes like MZ, Simson, Jawa, CZ or older Japanese two-stroke triple or Twins? They have soul, fun ride, reliable, and easy, than Japanese big heavy four-six cylinders, or American Harley Davidson and German BMW.
Triumphs are nice bikes, but I am a Harley rider. My son is the Triumph guy in my family. I could see him doing a video like this. My first and last Harley is a 1994 Electra Glide Classic. I will ride her until I die. She has 126000 original miles. She runs well and stops well. She does not consume nor leak oil. Don’t be afraid of an older bike. They tend to be simpler.
No one encouraged me to ride motorcycles. A high school classmate had a 50cc Suzuki for sale, and I bought it. About 3 years later, a neighbor sold me his 650 Triumph (not a Bonneville). I still miss the Triumph. That was 52 years ago, sigh! I'm 72 now.
Actually my sisters stepdad Frank got out of jail and had an 80s kx125 2 stroke and took me for a ride on the back. I was 10 and that inspired me to get one when I turned 18
Had T100 years ago great bike but the front brake was useless , you can fit the TLS drum brake like fitted to Daytona (its fitted to lots of triumphs/BSA's ) it's massive improvement as good as disc but keeps the retro looks
I just made top 3 of my familys bikes: i) Vincent Comet ( my dad ) ii) 1968 Triumph T120 Bonneville ( my brother ) iii) 2021 Triumph T120 Bonneville ( me)
Ny firsrt bike was a 1945 Norton 500 single WW2 surplus. I was an idiot ... I rode it for a few years but I sold it in favour of a Honda CB450. The Honda was nice but that Norton was a character
cool story. i got a dad/motorcycle story. me and my brother was working on our harleys in my dads driveway. i had a 81 lowrider chopper with 3" belt drive and my brother had a old ironhead sporty. my dad came out and asked if he could ride one of our bikes. he looked at mine and didnt want nothing to do with that big belt. he jumped on the sporty and kicked it to life and took off spewing gravel. well about 2 hrs later he hadnt come back and we went looking for him on the shovel. turns out he went about 2 miles to the neihbors and shut it off and couldnt get it started. they wrapped a rope around the handle bars and pulled it with a truck to start it..
My dad started riding like 10 years ago always a bmw gs and so i liked the boxers but it's not that pretty to look at (R1250GS) so now i got my own 50 year old bmw R60/5 '72. So now i will start riding a bike that's is from the same year as my dad and he started on a bike from my year.
Your bike is a beauty, must be nice living in Hawaii. Do you have any problem with 2nd gear on your 500? Mine used to pop out of 2nd, I was told it was common.
The last Triumph I owned was a 79 Bonneville special. Basically a classic Triumph with some newer technology. It was an absolutely Rock Solid Dependable ride.
My parents were always adamantly opposed to motorcycles. Our cousins had dirt bikes and introduced my middle brother and I to them. When my middle brother turned 18 and I was 14, we pooled out money together and bought an XT250. Quite the act of rebellion at the time but we didn't push it by being complete hooligans but I did ride on the streets and highways illegally quite a bit until I was about 20. Anyway, I'm looking to return to it and I'm pretty excited about it.
I have a 68 Triumph 650, doesn't really sound any different than that 500. I never get false neutrals or missed shifts. I was cringing when he was turning with his foot off the peg and by the road, that's a recipe for disaster
