Every now and then I like to dust off my old Bonnie racer and enter it in a more modern class at the local race track to give them a scare on the old bike. I’ll post a few more racing clips. It has 11:1 pistons, a 2 into 1 exhaust, bigger carbs and is geared for 135 mph. Turn up the volume full taps and enjoy the sound.
Duration : 0:1:4
Related Articles
24 users responded in this post
Great memories and …
Great memories and good to hear it still runs well. I’ll never part with mine, it’s part of the family. I’ll rebuilt it again completely soon (for the 3rd time) after I finish the ’71 special I’m building for a guy in Vancouver. Cheers.
Impressive to say …
Impressive to say the least. I own a 69 Bonnie and remember riding it years ago when new on I-80 which was being constructed in NJ. Top speed then 108mph. She still runs good today.
It does thanks, …
It does thanks, like a Spitfire flying through the hills on full song.
Awesome sound, …
Awesome sound, sounds like a an old fighter plane.
I’m sure it has the …
I’m sure it has the trademark Bonnie sound. Mine sounds good with the 2 into 1 exhaust and straight through reverse cone megaphone. On a clear day you can see the valves and if it’s real sunny you’ll spot the domes on the 11:1 pistons.
well at the TT all …
well at the TT all bets are off. that’s truly the best rider’s race on that day. I love the sound of your bonnie on the track. I like to think that mine sounds pretty similar when I get her wound up.
LOL!!! Well I …
LOL!!! Well I believe Mike Hailwood did a 100 mph lap average speed at the Isle Of Man on a Triumph Bonneville in 1969. Not an easy task on any bike.
you could probably …
you could probably pass Duhamel on htat bike.
ditto
ditto
Not too shabby for …
Not too shabby for an old 1969 push rod motor for sure and stable through the high speed corners. It’s geared for it on the long circuit. I’m planning to rebuild it to ride in the SA-HMG (Historic Motorcycle Group) events and when I do I’ll mount a GPS and helmet cam and take it for a ride.
137 mph! That’s …
137 mph! That’s very impressive indeed!
Many thanks, closer …
Many thanks, closer to 8,000.
I am not a racing …
I am not a racing buff, but I must say: amazing what a performance you seem to get out of this classic! It sounds sweet too. What is the max RPM on this one? I own a ’80 T140E that makes my hands numb when doing over 5000RPM…
Would like photos …
Would like photos and info about the work you do on the bikes, parts etc. The vid sample of the walk around on the 69? Bonnie project looked a lot like the way I used to set up my later 70′s Bonnies as cafe racers. Sold the last one 5 years ago as a result of one too many highsides and a screwed up back, but am getting a hankerin’ to build another one. I could use some updated information from someone with your obvious expertise. How do I contact you? Thanks.
We speak the same …
We speak the same language. I’ve had my ’69 since I was 18 in ’73 and I could write a book about it. I race Ducati superbikes too and the skills learned on the Bonnie help a lot. You’d like the Bonnie I’m building for a client in Vancouver at the moment. A ’71 with greatly improved ergos and performance. I’d like to send you a decent racing photo of my ’69. Cheers.
Most of the young …
Most of the young guys on the superbikes don’t understand how sweet a narrow engine in a 380 pound bike with skinny tires and the right geometry can be. Definitely takes more skill having to maintain higher cornering speeds and optimizing every line instead of “cheating” on the straights with excess horsepower. Rode my first Bonneville when I was 18, it was a new ’68, and I never got over the sweet handling, beautiful looks and great sound. Thanks for the reply.
Thanks, I still …
Thanks, I still love my old bonnie. This one has a good top speed but there is a lot I could do to further improve the bike. I have plans. A five speed gearbox and alloy diaphram clutch would improve accelleration for example. Nevertheless it gives some nasty turns and confounds the wise.
Outstanding bike! …
Outstanding bike! Great sound and cornering speed. My old T120 could out corner the 4 cylinder bikes in the 70′s but they lost me on the straights. Looks like you’ve cured that! More power to you, show ‘em what British soul is all about!
Never timed over …
Never timed over quarter mile so I’d be guessing. On this 2.5 mile circuit average speed is 86 mph with top speed of 137 mph. It has two tight hairpins, an esses complex and a sweep incorporated. Cheers.
so how fast in a …
so how fast in a quarter mile?
80′s F2-750′s / F1 …
80′s F2-750′s / F1 900/1000cc bikes. 1996 – 3rd unltd sbk race. Some late 250/400 / big cc 80′s – 90′s bikes. Last race 2005 – ’84 unltd – 3rd – heat 1 / 2nd heat 2. Beaten Honda 900 Kaw 1000′s and a few of the superbikes of the day – slow riders.
what modern bikes …
what modern bikes would you compete against?
Thanks, glad you …
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
very nice sir
very nice sir
Leave A Reply
Please Note: Comment moderation maybe active so there is no need to resubmit your comments