Impart Your Knowledge Regarding Triumph Bonnevilles

Gents, just wondering if anyone can tell me if parts from old Bonnies and new ones are interchangeable. I know the history about the company changing hands, just want to know if they kept dimensional specs the same (i.e. -- holes for mounting things on the frame, suspension pick-ups, and the like).

I'm wanting to build a Cafe Racer and like some of the aftermarket parts for the new Bonnevilles and can't seem to find any good parts sources for the classics (I'm especially interested in the T140). So, if you have any suggestions along those lines it would be appreciated too. Thanks.

Here's kind of what I'm using as inspiration:

Highly doubtful that Meridan Trumpet parts interchange with Hinkleys, aside from little ancillaries.

I get the vintage thing, trust me, but if I were you, I'd start with a new one. They're vastly superior bikes in every aspect aside from that je ne sais quoi coolness factor, but you'll be building that into the bike on your own.

Yeah, the only reason I want to go with an older one is because I thought they would be a bit cheaper initially, but it seems like in my area they're almost the same for a slightly used modern Bonneville and a good-condition 70's one.

There are zero interchangeable parts, the new one just kind of looks like the old one. Another bike you may want to consider is the Kawasaki W650; they were sold in the US from 1999 to 2001 and (in my opinion, but then again I own one) were as good a bike as the Triumph. The flip side is they are hard to find and aftermarket parts are slim, plus they've sort of become collectible so the prices haven't gone down much. If you're on a real budget, also think about the old Yamaha 650 twin - they're good bikes, you can still find them for reasonable prices and they have great aftermarket support.

For vintage Triumphs, pick up a copy of Motorcycle Classics magazine or one of the UK vintage bike mags and go through the advertisements to find sources for parts.

Here's my Kawasaki, it's stock except for the Corbin seat.

I had a Bonneville once. I think it was a 71. Disk front brake. It came in a collection of parts I bought for five bills, including 1945 Knucklehead cases and about half the rest of the motor, the Trumpet, a whole bunch of other stuff in a foot locker, boxes, trash cans, etc. I put the Trumpet together, painted it and gave it to my friend as a wedding present. He used to have one and his first wife made him sell it. He still has that bike, but the second wife is long gone.