The story of the Triumph Bonneville – its conception, design and production, how it compared to the competition (British and Japanese), and how it was seen at the time. With insights into the company that built it, from the boom times of the 1960s, through struggles in the 70s, and eventual closure in the ‘80s, plus guidance on buying a Bonneville secondhand, this is the fascinating history of a British icon.
This is a meticulously detailed history of the Triumph Bonneville: its antecedents, how it came about, and year-by-year production changes, with detailed technical specifications and contemporary road test reports showing how the Bonneville compared with its rivals. However, the history of the bike cannot be separated from the turbulent story of the company that built it. Triumph went from huge successes in the 1960s, when the Bonneville conquered North America, to troubled times in the early 1970s, leading to the formation of the workers co-operative that heroically kept the Bonneville alive for a further nine years. All this is covered here, plus details on how Triumph spares producer Les Harris took over production into the late ‘80s.
Unlike other Bonneville books, this one also tells you how to buy one of these iconic bikes secondhand – all the pitfalls, what to look for, and what they are really like to live with. Whichever one you choose, it should be fast, agile and good looking ... on a twisty country road, there's nothing like a Bonnie, and with information on clubs, websites, spares, and the latest modifications and upgrades, this book will help you get the one you deserve.
Featuring comprehensive appendices of facts, figures, contacts, technical specifiations (including correct colours for each year), engine/frame numbers, and road test performance figures, this is the definitive book of a bike that truly deserves the term ‘practical classic.'
Triumph’s background
How the Bonneville came about
Year-by-year details of all production changes
Detailed technical specifications
In parallel, how Triumph conquered America, struggled to survive, and died
Buying a secondhand Bonnie – pitfalls and points to look for
How Triumph rose again, and a new Bonneville was born
Useful contacts – clubs, parts suppliers, restorers
