[busrocker71]

found a triumph trophy not far from here. from the pics it looks extremely clean. wants $2900 for it. i believe its the 250. i've got the cash. what do you all think.

thanks

cheers

-hely

ps. this will be my first bike. im not shy though when it comes to wrentching on anything.

 

[JMT13413]

You could get a jap bike in perfect running condition for half that. You could even get a bigger triumph for that much money. I only have about 500 into my cb175, so if you want a small bike you can get one for alot less money. My roomate got nice cb350 for 900.

 

[FR]

Hely, I agree. You can get a lot of nice bikes for less than that. But if you're looking for a nice Triumph, $2,900 is what you'd expect to pay for one. If you're serious you should definitely take someone who knows Triumphs with you to look at it. Honestly I didn't think the Trophy model was ever less than a 500. The only 250 I can think of is the Cub, but I'd have to look it up.
Where are you? There's guys on this forum that have sick deals on bikes they're trying to sell.

FR

 

[mikeo]

The cub was a 200 and the last actual Triumph single. The 250 Trophy (T25W) was actually a BSA B25 with Triumph badges on it. $2900 is a little steep for a 250 unless it is in really nice original condition. On the plus side as long as you kept the idle about 1000 rpm they were pretty reliable. It wasn't a great performer however. A nice original Cub on the other hand would be well worth $2900, or at least that is what you would expect to pay. Not a whole lot more reliable but way funkier. I've got a trial cub and its a lot of fun. I have a B25 racer too and its a lot of work. Good thing is most parts are still available of both of them.

mike o

 

[busrocker71]

im out in california. orange county to be specific. i actually just talked to a guy about a 68 ducati scrambler that's got a newer 250 motor bored out to a 350. clean and ready to roll. he's asking a great deal less than that triumph. all in all...im looking for reliability and a little go.

-hely

 

[texmawby]

hely,

the ducati is the way to go. it will hold it's resale value, parts are widely available, and hey it's italian! doooooooooooooo it!

tex

 

[Geeto67]

quote:
im out in california. orange county to be specific. i actually just talked to a guy about a 68 ducati scrambler that's got a newer 250 motor bored out to a 350. clean and ready to roll. he's asking a great deal less than that triumph. all in all...im looking for reliability and a little go.

-hely

"all in all...im looking for reliability and a little go" this is your problem right here. As soon as you use the word reliability in connection with a vintage bike, forget brit bikes, american bikes, and italian bikes. I have seen few triumphs in my life that would last the abuse that I dish out to a jap bike on a daily basis. Ducs are more reliable but they get finiky, you have to keep your eye on tuning. For set it and forget reliability buy a good condition running jap bike and forget it, even most of the jap two strokes are more reliable than a triumph (not the kawi triples, but the suzukis, and yamahas are).

In cali, $1500 should net you a super clean, super nice K2-K6 cb750. Good looks, do the ton, and lots of aftermarket for it. As dead nuts relaible to be a daily rider, or an enduro, or a race bike, whatever you need it to do at that moment.

 

[magnetoczar]

The 250 Triumphs were junk, the cubs were much better in every way. $2900 will get you a nice cub. I think they ended in 67' (?) and the 67' was the best one because it had an alpa crank, all roller.I wouldn't give $1200 for real nice 250.

Dgy

 

[aaron]

BSA 250's are best known as parts motors for B50's.

Aaron

 

[busrocker71]

thanks for all your input. i really appreciate it. im sure you're all right. im sure a jap bike will definately do. i've got my heart set on a single...and relatively vintage. i guess im just going to have to take my time a find the right one. my only feelings toward a cb 750 is that its heavy, a 4 cylinder, and can be a pain if they need some tuning. im all about the simpler the better. i figure that a single or double is the way to go. any jap bikes out there that fit this criteria? thanks again guys.

cheers

-hely

 

[texmawby]

hely,

again the problem here is a coastal problem!

i got lots of things that would float your boat, but they are all in philly!

can you say ROAD TRIP?!?!?!?

good luck!

tex

 

[Geeto67]

quote:
thanks for all your input. i really appreciate it. im sure you're all right. im sure a jap bike will definately do. i've got my heart set on a single...and relatively vintage. i guess im just going to have to take my time a find the right one. my only feelings toward a cb 750 is that its heavy, a 4 cylinder, and can be a pain if they need some tuning. im all about the simpler the better. i figure that a single or double is the way to go. any jap bikes out there that fit this criteria? thanks again guys.

cheers

-hely

Buy a GB500. Honda's attempt at making a british single. Dead nuts reliable, looks old, feels like a brit bike. Cost about $2000-$4000 for a really good one.

The T500 is my other recommendation to you (in another postas well). two stroke parallel twin, about the same size and overall design as a brib bike, even give you that brit bike drum brake feel. Two stroke so it is unique, but reliable and stone simple to work on.

 

[texmawby]

geet,

i'd be surprised if you can find one for 2 large.

i love saying large.

large, large, large!

tex

 

[FR]

Yamaha SR500

Cheap, easy to mod, plentiful out there, kick start only but electronic ignition, easy to look at. Great 1st bike.

FR

 

[texmawby]

and a cool vintage racer to boot!

tex

p.s.- glad to see lots of people awake tonight!

it's gonna be a long one (just cracked a new bottle o' gin)

 

[cafeteria_racer]

I third the SR500.

 

[busrocker71]

looks like i've found a few very possible contenders. thanks for the advice. i saw a gb500 in san diego that was awesome. i see them so rarely though and for always over 4k. the yamaha looks great though...im used to 2 strokes and that t500 is beautiful. if anyone knows some for sale...drop me a line. im keeping my eyes peeled and now know what to look for.

cheers

-hely

 

[Geeto67]

quote:
geet,

i'd be surprised if you can find one for 2 large.

i love saying large.

large, large, large!

tex

There was one for sale here in the city going for $2000. A little rought around the edges but mechanically sound, and not real dents or dings in the bodywork. The owner is a crackhead and he leaves it outside in all weather uncovered, but he rides it.

Bus...It is too bad you aren't closer to NY as I have a running GT500 that may be coming in to the shop for sale next week (provided I can move a lot of bikes this week). The GT500 is basicallt a T500 with a disc brake and conventional forks instead of a drum and external spring forks.