That’s about it. I’m sure I’ve left loads out as it’s only just about finished after 4 years. Like finding a pair of shocks through a contact in the ‘Guzzie club. The search for the parts has involved the Internet and multiple fora and piles of cash!
I’ve been very lucky on some finds just happening at the right time. Wouldn’t have been possible without a whole bunch of like-minded nutters chipping in with suggestions and advice.
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Nice one Ian, now let’s have some photos of it/him/her/they/them/ad nauseam out in the sunshine 
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She/he/it is getting insured and registered Historic for the first time next week so watch this space. What a palava, you have to insure it first then take a paper form to the post office!
Welcome to 1952
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Oh yeah, I forgot, I’ve got to cure a leak. I fitted a new oil tank sump plate and there is oil leaking down the stud threads so I’ll need to drain the oil (again) and refit them with a thread sealer.
I don’t think you can ever say that these things are finished.
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I forgot to talk about numbers.
Mine is #44. So it’s pretty early in the run. It’s generally accepted that about 1250 were built
But I think of this figure, some were TR7s for police and military use (White Helmets). Presumably there are definitive factory records but I’ve never found them on-line.
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All vehicle manufacturing details were, once upon a time, all sent to the Science Museum. I think in the 1980s they sent all the stuff they had off to the responsible owner’s clubs. The VMCC got all the original Triumph records.
I can’t remember when all that happened but they may have some/all of Les Harris’ records. I know the last Bonnies he built were sent out in 1999 to the Signal’s White Helmet silly arses as the Bloor stuff was too heavy for them to jump over hay bales and all the fairings melted through the stupid fire tunnels of death.
VMCC have the original bound books and manufacturing card for each bike. They will not send a copy of the originals like they used to. They now type out a sort of certificate.
It’s been a while since I was a member but they used to let members search through the records they hold. It may be worth asking them if they have any records (you will have to pay) and if so join (again, you will have to pay) and then go have a look for yourself and take along a weenie 007 camera.
TOMCC may be able to help (payment required) the original records went to the relative vehicle vintage owners clubs as so called ‘experts’ were advising the DVLA on rebuild registering. Again, a while since I was a member but I’m sure they only have photo copies of the VMCC info.
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Thanks for this, I don’t do joining stuff generally.
I’m not sure anyone was that interested once Harris didn’t renue the licence. According to the LF Harris website the last bike was sent out in 1988. I’ve seen several for sale purporting to be the last one, for about 15 grand. 
Harris had already started G80 production when they shipped the last Bonnie and was busy losing his shirt on that.
I do know of several of the real Triumph Gurus and they don’t know and could care less!
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From Les’ son Chris in 2008:
“The White Helmets bikes are 750cc Tigers, they started production in 1998 and were dispatched to the White Helmets in 2002. This is where they had there opening in Cornwall for the unveiling of the new bikes. I was there although only young at the time! Its nice to see people showing an interest in my fathers bikes, I now work for him as an engineer and seeing people talk about these bikes is quite unbelievable to say the least considering i now work for him! The White Helmets invited there sponsors to partake in a “training day” last year, needless to say me and my brother in law jumped at the chance to represent the company and ride the bikes! It was an amazing experience and the display team are great fun!”
Les has sadly now left us
I was wrong with the delivery year but now confirmed it was 2002. Even later than I thought.
Might be worth contacting VMCC just to see if they have Les’ records, I think there’s a contact on their webpage somewhere for dating etc.
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Wow! That’s fantastic information. I didn’t know they were delivering bikes that late. I’ve never heard that before and you can imagine I’ve done some research. I knew the White Helmet’s bikes were Tigers but assumed production ended with the Bonnie’s in ‘88 when the contract ended. I know people who would be interested in this. I also have seen an article supposedly documenting the last bike delivered. It was a fully faired and kitted police Tiger. Although it says Bonneville in the article.
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Here’s a link to the article for sale on eBay
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Lots and lots of information around. Most of it, including my own, is from forums, articles, magazines, books etc. and sometimes, as I’ve realised, only worth a pinch of salt. History seems to be changed if there’s something at stake.
The only real knowledge is from the guys and gals who were actually working at Triumph at the time. Both in the US and here in England.
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