1978 Triumph Bonneville T 140V

Click on a thumbimage to enlarge.

Buy it Now Price: 1978 Triumph Bonneville T 140V Price Range: $6,500 to $7,200 Inquire About this Motorcycle

Overview

The owner purchased this 1978 Triumph T 140V Bonneville Motorcycle New in January of 1979 from a Triumph/Yamaha dealer in San Diego.  He rode it primarily in Southern California for about two years before riding it back to Louisville Kentucky in July of 1980.  For the next approximately 10 years he rode it on nice days, mostly on weekends, but also some commuting to work.  During this time he had the tank paint changed from its original blue/silver to black/red. Additionally he had an electronic ignition (eliminating the points) and a “battery eliminator” system installed, although all the original ignition system components were retained and will be included with the purchase of this motorcycle.  The original seat cover was torn so a local upholstery shop manufactured and installed a new seat cover (the seat pan is original).  The rear shocks were also replaced with after-market shocks (S&W). The original tool kit is also included with this motorcycle.

In the early 1990’s the motorcycle was placed in a heated garage and covered where it remained until early 2018 when he commissioned a local vintage motorcycle shop to get it road-ready.  Work done to this end included new tires, new replica original-type mufflers, new secondary drive chain, carburetors rebuilt, front master cylinder rebuilt, rear master cylinder replaced, gas tank flushed, new petcocks and fuel lines and filters, oil change (engine & transmission), new battery, and a good cleaning.  All the chrome is original and in good to excellent condition.  The frame paint is original and in good condition while the tank paint is in excellent condition.  All lights are in working condition, including the turn signals.

This motorcycle starts, runs, and rides as good as the day it was bought in 1979!  It likes winding country roads as it handles like a dream and likes to be opened up on straight roads.  Like British bikes in general, and Triumph’s in particular, keeping all the fluids inside the motorcycle is at times a challenge.  An occasional oil drip is to be expected, as is a little gasoline leaking from the carburetor ticklers.

Mileage

13,603

Paint

Very good to excellent (no rust), frame original paint and good condition. Tank repainted mid-1980’s and in excellent condition.

Sheet Metal

N/A

Chrome

All the chrome is original and in good to excellent condition.

Mechanical

Excellent condition. See detailed information in the "Overview" section above.

Wheels & Tires

Rims: Chrome, spoke
Front Tire: Dunlop 410X19 (new)
Rear Tire: Dunlop 410X18 (new)

Title

Current Kentucky Title and Registration
Engine # T140V PX 01572
Frame # T140V PX 01572

Valuation Resource Guide

NADA Value Guides:
https://www.nadaguides.com/Motorcycles/1978/Triumph/T140V-BONNEVILLE-5-SPEED-750/Values
Excellent $6,025
Very Good $3,340

HAGERTY Valuation Tools:
https://www.hagerty.com/apps/valuationtools/1978-Triumph-T140V_Bonneville
Concours $10,000
#2 Excellent $ 8,000
#3 Good $ 6,000

Accessories

Bolt-on, fold-up highway pegs (chrome, twisted RR spike)
Bolt-on throttle lock

Subscribe to our occasional newsletter and receive updates,
new bike listings & more.

Share via
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap