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Looking for a bike for my Dad 30 Dec 2022 17:55 #878357

  • calum
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This one is a bit off-topic on a KZ forum, but I figured with all the help I've got here I might get lucky :)
I'm trying to find a '62 Bonneville for my Dad. Somewhere in Canada or the northern states would be good. We can organise transport but depending on the location we might not be able to check the bike out. Should be as close to original as possible and matching numbers.
If anyone can help us out I'd would be greatly appreciated and I'm sure we can find some sort of compensation for time spent.

Here's a photo of his old bike:
 
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Looking for a bike for my Dad 31 Dec 2022 05:48 #878363

  • Nessism
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Those old Triumphs are super cool.  I wouldn't mind a restoration project on one...but I wouldn't want to have to kick it over every time I want to ride it.  The old knees and hips ain't what they used to be.  

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Looking for a bike for my Dad 31 Dec 2022 05:48 #878364

  • ronnieV
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Hope you find it!! 
77 ltd1000 80 ltd1000 78kz1000a ,02 red zrx 12r, 94 cb1000 big one ,03 valkyrie (my couch) 65 olds 442

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Looking for a bike for my Dad 31 Dec 2022 07:33 #878370

  • JR
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The Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group (cvmg.ca) have a classified ad section which might be worthwhile keeping an eye on. Also check or google canadian classic bike exchange
1980 kz750E1, Delkevic exhaust
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Looking for a bike for my Dad 31 Dec 2022 08:51 #878377

  • Dragbike_Mike
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Calum - best of luck in your quest for that '62 Bonneville.  They are out there, you just have to keep beating the bushes until one emerges.  And, speaking from experience, try to find the cleanest example that you can.  I have a '70 Bonneville which was a "rolling basket case" when I bought it.  The rebuild/restoration process took the better part of ten years and it was a love/hate, on again/off again affair.  It's easy to get sucked into rebuilding a vintage Triumph as it appears as though there are plenty of parts available.  The only problem is that many of them are "pattern" parts, meaning that they were reproduced using measurements taken from an existing part -  not an engineering drawing.  So, a lot of times, the part "almost" fits and might need some "massaging" to get it to fit.  You have to be part mechanic, part old world gunsmith and have a ton of patience.  Working on a Japanese bike feels like a walk in the park, by comparison.

Again, good luck!

Mike

A pic of my vintage Bonneville.  A '70 chassis with a later 5-speed '77 motor converted to right-side shift.  1940's manufacturing technology at it's finest!
 
Presently - 1980 KZ1000B4 LTD w/mild ported head, Megacycle cams, 1015cc Wiseco, Falicon Supercrank, R&D undercut trans
In a former life - KZ-based dragbike - CrMo car tire chassis, 1395cc, Hahn Racecraft turbo system, VP C16, Orient Express 3-spd auto, 7.80's @ 165-170.
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Looking for a bike for my Dad 31 Dec 2022 13:10 #878390

  • hardrockminer
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I will keep my ears on.  Meanwhile, here are a couple of links to explore.

The first is a club I rode with once a few years back.  Very nice group.  www.bmoc.ca/index.html

This one has a good reputation but I haven't dealt with them.  robinsclassicmotorcycles.com/all-listings/

This one is run by someone just 20 miles from me.  He also has a nice motorcycle museum.  www.classicbikeexchange.com/classicbike%20SALE1.htm

This one is for sale near Vancouver.  Looks pricey.  

www.kijiji.ca/b-motorcycles/british-colu...c30l9007?year=__1970

I have a friend in Chilliwack who does my vapour blasting.  He may know where to find a bike.  He actually deals in Kawasakis but had a lot of British stuff that he sold a couple of years ago.

 
I have several restored bikes along with a 2006 Goldwing with a sidecar. My wife has a 2019 Suzuki DR 650 for on and off road.
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Looking for a bike for my Dad 31 Dec 2022 13:59 #878392

  • BCScott
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This shop is in Calgary: www.oldmotorcycleshop.com/ The owner, Phil is a good guy (British ex-Pat) and you could ask if he has any leads. His inventory rotates quite regularly.
Back in the saddle and loving it! KZ1000A1
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Looking for a bike for my Dad 31 Dec 2022 18:42 #878395

  • hardrockminer
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So my friend Kevin got back to me.  He said he has a '63 but did not say it was for sale.  He also said you should be able to find one in the UK and mentioned Classic Bike magazine as a place to look.  

I've visited The Old Motorcycle Shop in the past.  Lots of old bikes of all makes and models.  www.oldmotorcycleshop.com/
I have several restored bikes along with a 2006 Goldwing with a sidecar. My wife has a 2019 Suzuki DR 650 for on and off road.
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Looking for a bike for my Dad 01 Jan 2023 18:24 #878427

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Just checked back in - I love this forum! Thanks for all the links guys, I'll check everything out over the next couple of days.

@Dragbike_Mike: will definitely try and get a tidy bike - thanks for the heads-up on the replica parts.

@hardrockminer: thanks for going the extra mile and getting in touch with your friend. I'll check out all the links and keep an eye out for changes. The '62 is the last year of the of the pre-unit bonnies so unfortunately the '63 is too "new".

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Looking for a bike for my Dad 17 Jan 2023 16:35 #878925

  • riturbo
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Might keep an eye on this site too .

www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale
Gpz 750 turbo The one I ride
Gpz 750 turbo Not finished
Gpz 750 turbo Not started
Gpz 550 1981
Gpz 550 1983
Bunch of other junk

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Looking for a bike for my Dad 17 Jan 2023 17:31 #878930

  • Nerdy
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Those old Triumphs are super cool.  I wouldn't mind a restoration project on one...but I wouldn't want to have to kick it over every time I want to ride it.  The old knees and hips ain't what they used to be.  
 

There are aftermarket kits available to add electric start to early British bikes for that very reason. :)
1979 KZ400 Gifted to a couple of nephews
1967 Yamaha YCS1 Bonanza
1980 KZ440B
1981 Yamaha XT250H
1981 KZ440 LTD project bike
1981 GPz550
2013 Yamaha FZ6R
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Looking for a bike for my Dad 17 Jan 2023 18:04 #878931

  • Mikaw
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1976 KZ 900 A4 kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/613548-1976-kz-900-a4
1976 KZ 900 B1 LTD
1978 KZ 1000 B2 LTD
1980 KZ 750 E1
Kowledge Speaks, But Wisdom Listens.
Jimi Hendrix.

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