Triumph T140v, selling for a new love...... soon......maybe.... hopefully

[Desmodromic]

I'm putting this up for sale as soon as its passed its MoT. Thought I'd try here to see if anyone is interested as there are a few as old as myself on here and its a small community. The reason for doing so is many fold. I'm not enjoying the tinkering with them anymore, and I have fallen for a new love. I enjoy cleaning them, keeping them roadworthy etc. but I don't want to do much more than that. I still enjoy riding them but I'm not in love with them anymore. I have found a new love that has taken my interest and I need to make room. I also want to get down to one bike that I can cherish. I'm dipping my toe in here because, like a lot of others I don't particularly like dealing with people, especially selling stuff.

I will put together an advert to put in the classifieds if there is any interest. I'm looking for between £4500-£6500 I'm not sure what I'll get and I know the higher price is more what a dealer would want, so even I know that's a bit much, but I can dream. I'm sure others will have a better idea of prices than I do. I'm just going off what's available around on Ebay etc.

Because they are classics, you get the 'Oh that headlight, bolt, screw, clip, piece of rubber is not the correct size, thread, side panels not for that model year etc. and I haven't got the patience now. There are obviously other ways to sell it, Ebay, facebook etc. and it may come to that.

I have 3 to go and be replaced with a new one.

I'll start with the 1976 Triumph Bonneville T140v (import, owned since 2011) as it will pass its MoT with little work to do. It doesn't legally need an MoT as its exempt along with the road tax. But I think people need to know its road worthy. There are other things like fluid changes and new battery that need done. Other things like a good clean and going over with a duster will help get it back to the photo which was taken in 2018. I've only put a few hundred miles on it since.

[Lutin]

Ooh, that's nice. An American import going by the handlebars and the side reflectors?

[cvilla]

out of interest, what others may be for sale? C

[ogri]

If i win the lotto tonite you might get a msg

[Desmodromic]

out of interest, what others may be for sale? C

I have a 1976 Suzuki GT750 and a 2001 Ducati 996 that will also be getting dumped for the new love. Seems harsh I know but I've had them in my garage for a lot of years and I would like them to goto someone who would appreciate them as much as I have done over the years. Not ridden them much but I have really enjoyed the ownership of all 3 bikes. I see them as works of art as much as anything. I turned into one of those blokes you saw in your 20's who had loads of lovely cars but didn't use them much. I used to think back then 'What a waste.' But I get why they did it now.

[Desmodromic]

If i win the lotto tonite you might get a msg

Good Luck, but it won't be the winning amount, I'm hoping to get it. But there's a few big prizes

[Count Steer]

It's a big tease about the 'new love'.

Garn, tell us what it is.

[KungFooBob]

PANIGALE!

[Desmodromic]

Unfortunately I'm going to decline to comment. I knew the question would come up, but I'd rather wait until its all been finalized. Not all will like my choice, he says, to tease a little more.

When it happens you will be the first to know.

[Skub]

This is some lengthy tease.......

[Desmodromic]

Sorry for taking so long........

Hello again

Its about time I updated this post as my new love a LiveWire One has been with me since easter. The Triumph sailed through its MoT with no issues and I have put a little flag on it with a price and telephone number on, so as we ride around on it people know its for sale. We've covered about 250 miles on it since the Mot and it runs well.

The Mrs hasn't given me too much grief about getting rid of them, and I will get them sold………………………… eventually.

So the new love won't be everyone's cup of tea, but ever since I saw the first one I wanted one. Now it has become a reality. Its had its first 1000 mile service. It had to travel back to the dealership down in Plymouth which is a good 400 mile trip from Northumberland.

We've covered about 1400 miles on it now and it brings a smile to my face every time I see it in the garage and an even bigger smile when out and about on it.

Answers to questions I get

How far on a charge?
We (most miles have been done with the Mrs on the back) are getting about 120 miles going from 100% - 2% That's the lowest I have got to so far. 2% (2miles) charge left before we got home. It's getting 112 W-h/ml which works out about 8-9 miles per kWh. I'm sure I can get it up to 10 miles per kWh if I stop twisting the throttle quite as hard. Sure its not far but at the moment it is further than my arse, and especially the Mrs on that seat can go without a stop, i.e. lunch or a coffee near a charger.

LiveWire One.jpg (594.14 KiB) Viewed 615 times

I do say to people when they say its not very far upto 120 miles going out on your bike, car. How many journeys, trips, little runs out are over 100 miles, and if they are, do you not stop somewhere for something to eat, have a pee etc. Unless its really remote (like Northumberland National Park) there will be chargers around and will put in a good charge in 30 minutes or so.

Costs to fill up at home are basically free as we have solar panels, battery storage, cheap EV overnight rates. The costs go onto the electricity bill which in our house makes it free. As our last bill with running the house, car and LiveWire was £10 for the month.

How long to charge?
Yup at home its slow and I mean slow. It took 12hrs to charge from 2% to 100% its only level 1 which is 1.5 kW per hr. Using a DC fast charger (level 3) will charge at its fastest speed 23kWh and slow right down to speeds of >8kWh. A run out to Bellingham Fountain Cottage Café we used the charger there to make sure it worked, cost £5.41, took 39min, and put in 8.32kWh.

How Much?
These were £30000 when they first came out 5/6 years ago. They then dropped the price down to £22000 with second hand ones going for around £15000. They are now down to £18290 new, albeit for a 2024 model as they don't make them anymore. I paid £16000, new with a full warranty for a 2023 bike which I thought was reasonable and would cover that by selling the other bikes. LiveWire sold 30 bikes in the first quarter of this year, worldwide. I think they are up to 80 so far this year so things are looking a little worrisome. Some directors have even sold their shares lately

Do I think about warranties, servicing etc. Whether the company will be around in a couple of years. Sure a little. But not enough to spoil it in any way. If it breaks or goes wrong I will join the 100's of people who buy lemons everyday. I am in a position where I worry about other things. As the Mrs said we are SKI-ing now. (Spending the Kids Inheritance)

All in all electric motorcycles won't suit everyone but it works for me, makes me happy when I'm riding it and that's what life is about. At 67¾ I have (hopefully) a few years riding left and this one makes ME happy doing it.

[Cousin Jack]

Wouldn't suit me, but obviously suits you. Enjoy it!

[Dodgy69]

Have they stopped making all leccy bikes or just that model. ? It ain't for me either, but I do admire folk who think outside the box.

[Skub]

Happy new bike day and health to enjoy.

[Desmodromic]

Have they stopped making all leccy bikes or just that model. ? It ain't for me either, but I do admire folk who think outside the box.

Its just the LiveWire One they stopped making. They are still making the newer S2 models, but they look more like trials bikes to me. Not my style at all.

[ChrisW]

I thought it was on slicks at first glance!