It was hard not to notice the old and worn Triumph parked in the Thomaston Savings Bank lot in Harwinton, CT on Saturday morning. Its paint was faded, the engine covers were tarnished and the seat was ripped.
When its owner, Mike Toth of Winsted, CT, came outside after finishing his banking he pronounced the bike to be “all unrestored, original” and went on to describe its condition as an “appealing factor” in why he rides it.
Toth’s estimated that he’s owned the 650cc, 1964 Triumph Bonneville for 18 years. “Look at it,” he said. “You don’t see too many of them around any more.”
It may not be the cleanest machine on the road, but it is reliable. “I’d like to to say it’s any everyday driver, but it’s out there once or twice a week,” he said.
Just don’t ask him how many miles he’s put on it. “The odometer hasn’t worked since I’ve owned it,” Toth said.
Lo and behold if it didn’t start on the first kick, though.
– Bud Wilkinson