Triumph Bonneville Desert Sled Restoration | Purpose Built Moto

This is a first for PBM, we've never got the call to restore a vintage Triumph before, hopefully this isn't the last because this was an awesome bike to work on.
Now look, the Triumph was in pretty neglected shape when we got it. Everything had seized up, nothing ran and it was on its last legs. Here's a serious piece of advice, if you have a nice old bike - ride it! Don't let them fade and crumble.
There wasn't much custom work we added to this build, everything had to kept classic give the Triumph one hell of a rebirth.
Check out the huge gallery of pics and a detailed write up of the build here:
If you like the look of any of the products we used in the build, you can grab them in our online store
3 in 1 LED brake/turn lights: purposebuiltmo...
Tail tidy + Fenders :purposebuiltmo...
LED Moto Lighting: purposebuiltmo...

[@PurposeBuiltMoto]

If you want to see more from the 1973 Triumph Bonneville Desert Sled Restoration, check out the blog and gallery on the PBM website purposebuiltmoto.com/triumph-bonneville-desert-sled/

[@Lightseekerjoben]

One of the nicest looking bikes I've ever seen.

[@igxrruaof]

you can never go wrong with a triumph

[@PurposeBuiltMoto]

I think you’d be hard pressed ahah Cheers for watching mate

[@Zulutime44]

Having equal sized wheels (18 inches) front and back adds to the good looks with a tracker vibe. Bravo

[@user-dp8gb9zu8v]

I definitely like it, Triumph has always been known for building AWESOME scramblers. and this one is no exception. and I especially like that there isn't a speck of plastic on it. something that is almost impossible to find these days. it's definitely an AWESOME looking bike for sure.

[@PurposeBuiltMoto]

Thanks for watching Henry, you should check out our more modern model triumph desert sled. It’s on our channel with a blue tank, and white seat!

[@user-dp8gb9zu8v]

@@PurposeBuiltMoto I will do that thanks.

[@tamc1766]

Nice..... Man !!!! Beautiful bike !

[@paulwhittaker606]

Gorgeous bike

[@Barry-tp2vd]

Very nice build fellas . Dunno about the Jumbo size front tyre ... but thats personal choice . Great vid , nice to see , and hear that beasty motor fire up 😊 sweet sounds ❤

[@MrGardman]

Really pretty. I have always loved that style of bike.

[@mikefarnden2893]

Bought my first of 6 or 7 Triumph twins nearly 50 years ago (UK) a '68 Bonny with left side high level pipes, this is the best looking custom version I've ever seen, keeps the original essence of the bike but refines it in a subtle clean way, sweet!

[@PurposeBuiltMoto]

Keeping the dream alive over here Mike

[@skymningforelsket1302]

This thing is epic. It's amazing how it looks like a 60's one. The paint is brilliant--- The way it has the rounded shape that is up nice and high around the knee flats, and the thick white lines that narrow down the length of the tank, but don't come down into a point. The silver and white is an amazing color choice. I've never seen a tank painted like that before. I might copy that pattern someday using different colors.

[@ernstwinter5042]

Grandios!!!

[@breathestrongcycling3672]

The Devil's in the details and I reckon he'd be stoked to ride that....awesome work 🤙

[@PurposeBuiltMoto]

I’d hope so, as long as he’s in a red velvet suit

[@daveco1270]

Ive seen photos of this one on line. One of the best looking oil in frame Bonneville's I've seen. The grey/silver and cream looks so nice.

[@mattcc6603]

You nailed the exhaust. Sounds so sweet! Particularly like the height at which you set the clock into the bowl. Thanks for sharing.

[@davidspin5353]

this is awesome, maybe I'll change my Thruxton to this.

[@PurposeBuiltMoto]

A few mods like this would probably make a thruxton a bit more user friendly too

[@BrinToo]

Wicked Awesome build guys, love the silencer setup integrated into the pipes, paint and tin work, great. Wish I lived closer.

[@granthibberd6069]

Very, VERY nice… would love one like that

[@PurposeBuiltMoto]

Thanks Grant. If you do want one, I just might know the guy to make it happen.

[@geneahart5607]

What a beautiful bike!

[@rsbharley4766]

Awesome job on this build guys. This is one excellent looking bike, so very old school cool. Thanks for taking the time to share. Cheers

[@chip9712]

Perfect bike. Would love to own one like it.

[@PurposeBuiltMoto]

That can happen, just get in touch!

[@jeffpope8547]

@@PurposeBuiltMoto

[@jeffpope8547]

I’ve got a 2007 Triumph T100 I’m wanting to do this !

[@ericweber1969]

Absolutely gorgeous work, guys! Well done.

[@PurposeBuiltMoto]

Thanks Eric, hope you liked the clip ⚡️

[@ericweber1969]

@@PurposeBuiltMoto fantastic as always! Keep up the great work!

[@cp4512]

That looks stunning 😍

[@marvinacklin792]

Still the best looking of all motorcycles

[@Jiblits13]

That’s lovely but the first thing I noticed was the head light! Attention to detail boys its at 45 degrees 😱

[@reidcochran2031]

GORGEOUS!!

[@daveco1270]

I copied that paint job on my 78 T140. It looks great... but the silver I picked has a slight sparkle metal flake kind of thing. It's subtle, but I would have rather had a flat silver like yours. Duplicolor offers a ton of different silvers in their perfect match spray can line, so I just grabbed one thinking "silver is silver". I wish I could post a photo of the bike in the comments.

[@PurposeBuiltMoto]

I agree with you there silver is definitely not silver. We have all our colours custom mixed and approved before they go on the bike, just to make sure they’re right. Those small things can make a big difference.

[@jimmarshall807]

Great looking bike

[@bikerbrinrac]

Looks like it would be fun off road.

[@PurposeBuiltMoto]

It was great fun off road!

[@erwinroman4217]

Love it. I have an extremely rough '76 T140V in my garage that belong to a deceased friend. He started disassembly to replace a broken 5th gear, then became ill and passed away. It was left outside for several years after. I have all the parts, but the biggest challenge is the frame. Rusted to oblivion under the seat which acted as a sponge in the rain. Badly pitted and cracked behind the shock mounts on both sides. Hope I can do something with it.

[@PurposeBuiltMoto]

Hopefully you can get it back on the road soon!

[@dannyaustin84]

I was hoping to see a little fire road action. Looks fantastic. I really enjoyed all the detail you went into.

[@PurposeBuiltMoto]

I dont really test ride a lot of bikes on the dirt, too much cleaning afterwards before we hand them back over to the customer!

[@MotoMango]

Simple and epic!! 🙌💯👌🔥

[@frankferreira9696]

Beautiful build. I have never considered myself OCD, but could you give that head lamp a 1/4 turn so it sits straight? Thank you.

[@PurposeBuiltMoto]

Yeah I noticed that after our shoot, the glass rattled around as we were riding. had to seal it in place.

[@stevedaniels913]

beautiful

[@PurposeBuiltMoto]

Cheers, steve, hard to beat a classic triumph Bonny!

[@TheStevemcqueen68]

I like it, the only two things I would do ,if taking it off the road, Fork brace and a bash plate.

[@Zulutime44]

I suggest you replace the old incandescent bulb in your headlight with a drop in LED bulb, much brighter. Cost is about $33 from The Bonneville Shop in the US. I've converted my 1973 Bonneville and its Lucas lights to all-LED with no problems. - Z

[@PurposeBuiltMoto]

I really like the yellow glow of the old lamps on a vintage bike. We usually replace the entire headlight with on of our own LED lights but it wasn’t the right fit here

[@Charlesterrence]

You haven’t done a restoration before? I for sure thought you would have, this is awesome!

[@PurposeBuiltMoto]

Thanks Bro!

[@AaaaandAction]

I did the trials rear tyre on my '71 T120 but the tyre very quickly touches the rear of the swingarm cross member. Also the underside of the seat. Longer shocks cured the second problem and longer chain fixed the first. Unfortunately you lose most of the chain adjustment and it’s a balance between chain stretch and removing a half link. Looked great though.

[@julianpowell6355]

I want one and I'm going to build one so there.

[@lee111000]

nice job

[@p--n]

What was the reason for altering the shape of the front of the side panels (formerly airbox) please?

[@PurposeBuiltMoto]

Accomodating the high side exhaust and reducing the overall size of the side cover

[@donaldelder540]

Great looking bike. Is the glass lens of the headlight out of whack?

[@tamc1766]

TIDY

[@markwilliamson2795]

Hope that was you or the camera bouncing up and down and not the bike...My old 1977 T 140 V sounded like that when the stock mufflers rotted out and I took them off....way back in the day...it saved a baby deer life from the jaws of a coyote here in Calif..

[@ChrisHumboldt]

Beautiful bike but what is going on with that speedometer on the ride?

[@PurposeBuiltMoto]

The old set ups jump around, this one’s just about due for replacement along with the drive.

[@MotoMango]

6:53 😂😂

[@PurposeBuiltMoto]

Thats one for the real fans haha

[@MotoMango]

@@PurposeBuiltMoto 👊👊

[@ericweber1969]

@@PurposeBuiltMoto amen, brother!

[@theobviouschicken]

hey fellas I too am in QLD quick question. What do you do about the police wanting to taser you due to the indicators in the front being too close to the headlight ? I really really want to do this to my bike as my harley is the one with the indicators hanging off the control housing on the bars but its already cop bait and I tend to shake uncontrollably after I am tasered too often. Nice subtle resto-mod like that a lot.

[@PurposeBuiltMoto]

In my 5 years of building bikes, I've had 1 guy ever that had a problem with this. Most of the time the headlight ears are where the factory indicators mount so it seems logical to mount them there wouldn't you say?

[@theobviouschicken]

@@PurposeBuiltMoto Cool .Im going to steal this idea. If you are on the road to cairns and you see a fat man on the side of the road in a foetal position being tasered repeatedly... holler! Thanks

[@PurposeBuiltMoto]

@@theobviouschicken HAHA! I'll keep an eye out mate, good luck!

[@blacksquirrel4008]

Lovely work. What are the two machine screws on the throttle control about? Mine has them, too.

[@PurposeBuiltMoto]

I'm not sure what you're reffering too, check out the domino throttles on our site if you're after a new one.