Triumph Bonneville Bible – 1959-88.

Description

The Triumph Bonneville Bible (59-88)

By Peter Henshaw
Hardback • 25×20.7cm • 160 pages • 250 pictures

ISBN: 978-1-845843-98-4

NOT HINCKLEY MODELS.

Features

• 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

Description

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.

Synopsis

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.’

Independent Reviews

This is a meticulously detailed history of the Triumph Bonneville … 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 right one for you … the definitive book of a bike that truly deserves the term ‘practical classic.’
British Motorcycle Charitable Trust

With over 40 books to his credit Henshaw has perfected his writing style so the information comes across in an easy style that makes the book a generally good read as well as being a very useful reference book for existing as well as potential owners alike … So, no matter what category you fall into, owner, potential owner, or just somebody interested in well-researched motorcycle history written without bias, then this a book well worth having on the bookshelf and easily well worth the £35.00 cover price.
Inter-bike.co.uk

And gives insights into Triumph. It is packed with all sorts of details, including annual prices … For the real enthusiast, there are even tips on buying secondhand Bonnevilles.
Daily Express / Sunday Express

There have been many books written on the Bonneville; however a recent launch by Veloce entitled ‘The Triumph Bonneville Bible’ is without doubt one of the most comprehensive to date … What I loved about this book was its quality and the number of old pictures and brochures it contains … a must for any potential or current Bonneville owner.
Irish Vintage Scene

Featuring comprehensive appendices of facts, figures, contacts, technical specifications (including correct colours for each year), engine/frame numbers and road test performance figures, this is the definitive book and a very good read to boot.
Jonathan Hill, Freelance motoring journalist

This new book written by Peter Henshaw and due to be released in August 2013 by Veloce Publishing covers the following machines: 1959-62 Pre-unit 650’s – T120 Unit 650’s – T120, Oil-in-frame 650’s – T120, T120R, T120RV, early 750 models – T140V, late 750 models – T140E, Tss, TSX, and the 750’s built by Les Harris.
The Triumph Bonneville Bible tells of the model’s conception, design and production, how it compared to the competition (British and Japanese), and how it was seen at the time. It contains insights into the company that built it, from the boom times of the 1960’s, through struggles in the 70’s, the Meriden Co-operative’s eventual closure in 1983, and the Bonnevilles Les Harris produced under licence from John Bloor, Triumph Motorcycles new owner. It’s all there.
By having the name ‘Bible’ in the title, this book could well be ‘The Old Testament’ as it covers the Bonneville story up to 1988. But for anyone who has never owned an older Bonneville model, is interested in buying and/or rebuilding one, or just wondering why the one you have isn’t running as you think it should; then this is the book for you.
In fact if you are thinking of buying one, t definitely is the book for you as Chapter 8 – ‘Living with a Bonneville' gives a truthful no-holds barred view of just what is involved in owning an older model, and perhaps the reason why there are so many unfinished projects around! Within the pages are comprehensive appendices of facts, figures, contacts, detailed technical specifications (including correct colours for each year), year-by-year production changes, engine/frame numbers, road test performance figures and contemporary road test reports.
For all fans of 1960’s/70’s/80’s Triumphs it’s most definitely worth having.
Nacelle

Additional Information

Period covered: 1959-1988

Models covered: 1959-62 Pre-unit 650s – T120, Unit 650s – T120, Oil-in-frame 650s – T120, T120R, T120RV, Early Meriden 750s – T140V, Late Meriden 750s – T140E, TSS, TSX, Harris 750s