The 1968 Triumph 500 is basically the perfect motorcycle for the street

Is it possible that a 50 year old british motorcycle is just as good for the street as any modern motorcycle? Today I'm looking at my old, 1968 Triumph 500 and seeing if it stands up today as a usable motorcycle

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[stevefirth]

One thing you didn't talk about much is maintenance. It is important to keep the timing spot on and the carbs tuned, but that is a very easy DIY activity with this motor. Being able to keep this engine in perfect tune by yourself, is one of the most satisfying parts of owning one.

[timenglert]

Back in the day I owned a '69 Bonneville, bone stock but for the mufflers. Incredible machine, started right up, never crapped out, went plenty fast, (did the ton), always sounded good, the more I rode it the better it ran. I think the word you are searching for here is "soul". These old Brit bikes had it in spades.

[djokicmetamora]

I have the Daytona, 1971 the year I was born and I just love it.

[reddog]

I owned a 1977 Bonnie from 1991 to 2010 when I sold it because I just wasn’t getting to ride it enough in the 5 yrs before I sold it. That bike was amazing and never leaked oil. I serviced it every 1000 miles and tightened every thing to the specs in the workshop manual. Used it to go to and from work 40 miles 5 days a week until 2005. It started first time every kick. My local parts dealer used to say the same thing to other customers ( who always grumbled about their bikes ), when I went I to the shop for gaskets “Triumph made a good bike, and he’s got it”
Great bikes. Enjoy and ride safe.

[wellshutchins]

1969, 16 yrs old - Driving by the Triumph Dealer in Walnut Creek CA, with my mom who said, "let's look at those bikes." She and my dad dated on bikes while he was in law school after WW2. (Indian Scout, Norton single) We went inside and there was a shiny new Trophy 500. Oh, Joy of Joys! could this actually be happening? - No way. A year later I got a "68 Honda CL-350 Scrambler. A much wiser choice for a novice, and has led to many more bikes and 50+ years of riding. BTW my grandfather rode in WW! France, My dad did into his 80s, and my son and grandson do too.

[boring]

you got a good one w/the small clean front break and the eyebrow badges, Love it. have a '66 650 but always wanted a 500, yeah they're perfect agree 100%, Great video!

[micksypickxen]

My older brother had a green Tiger 500. He asked me to help evacuate it up Airline Hwy from his apt. in N.O. to my parent's house in B.R., just as Hurricane Camille was about to make landfall in 1969. We called those handles "tiddy grips". ;)

[jiyushugi]

I've ridden, raced (at the pro level), modeled and test ridden a high percentage of all the motorcycles produced over the past 55 years or so and my all-time favorite bike is my 1970 500 Triumph. MIne's the 'Daytona' with twin carbs and the larger, DLS front brake. I've owned it for about 40 years, ridden it on camping expeditions across the desert, carved canyons with it and commuted on it. Why my favorite? Hard to explain. I bought in non-running condition intending to flip it for a quick profit, but the first time I rode it I felt like Steve McQueen in the 'Great Escape', and you can't sell a bike that makes your feel like that! And I still get that same sensation every time I ride it. Aside from a set of clutch plates I've never had the engine apart, doesn't burn any oil, and starts first kick,
Compared with the 650s (I have a couple of those, too.) the 500 is much lighter and more maneuverable, making it a great town bike, and the engine is lightly stressed, so it's a happy, mellow engine that's easy to start. The 500s are also very affordable, because the 650's get all the glory ( not without reason). Their smaller size also makes them ideal for physically smaller, lighter riders.
Thanks for showcasing this highly underrated machine!

[markmark]

In 1969, after getting out of the navy, my best friend bought a '69 Triumph Trophy 500 while I bought a '69 Honda CL450 Scrambler. At the time I thought the Honda was a superior bike until I got tired of the handlebar vibration above 45 mph, after 6 months I moved on to a Norton Commando. My friend, on hard times, sold his T-500 within a year and the new owner promptly turned it into a total custom chopper, much to my horror. At the time, I didn't have much respect for the little bike, but now with the wisdom of 6 decades of motorcycling knowledge, I realize what a little gem he had, I'd take it over the Honda in a heartbeat.

[GeneralMe]

I have had my 650 Triumph for 40 years, this guy is absolutely on point here

[theien]

I had a 1967 Daytona. I remember it as the most beautiful ride and pleasant sounding machine I have ever owned. Pleasant memories. And yes, Bart comprehends the absolute beauty and joy of the Daytona 500.

[BarryHaycock-pp]

I've had my 73 500 since 1978, paid $800 for it and have loved having it for the last 45 years everything you said is bang on !! I love your passion ❤ BH

[nzobriens]

Not sure why people talk about hard to start. I'm 66 and my 69 Bonneville fires first kick, starts second or third at most. It's the epitome of design and nothing comes close, apart from same era Triumphs.

[jvlivtriple]

Great video. Love the sound of that engine. I had a 1970 Daytona. Very similar to that bike. Daytona had dual carbs and mine had the dual leading shoes from later models. I rode that bike around Europe and Great Britain while stationed there and up and down the east coast of the US after returning home. After 50 years of riding and many motorcycles, that is still one of my two favorites. Oil leaks, I can show you how to fix them. Electrics, I can show you how to fix the rectifier. Those are some of the things you learn to do with an old British bike.

Important point regarding weight. At my age, 69, weight has become a factor again. Lightweight bikes are in my future for sure. Maybe I should restore an old Triumph.

[SherKhan-bkes]

Still have my 72 Bsa 650 twin that I bought as a 19year old in 76 alongside a 97 Vfr750f that is ridden for long distance.
It’s the way these vintage bikes zap us back, like a Time Machine we experience whilst we’re riding forward to our destination- uncanny feelings 😉

[threepwood]

There's something comforting about a youngster talking about a 1968 Daytona that warms my heart. The only bike I ever really truly was in love with was my '58 Speed Twin. It had been heavily modified, given twin carbs, chromed rocker caps, ape hangers and flake gold paint job. I did unspeakable things to that engine (I won't go into details but let's just say it involved a crescent wrench, screwdriver and an incredible amount of gasket goo, ) and it just took it. Years after I sold it I would dream that I still had it and would wake up, heart pounding.

My 2022 Speedmaster Goldline is gorgeous too. However, I am yet to take it on the road, with lower back pain that is refusing to hurry up and heal. I've comforted myself with starting it and taking it up and down the driveway. *sigh*

[danburby]

BART, I JUST SOLD MY 70 DAYTONA 500 FOR 17, 500$ hard to part with it but i only paid 790$ for it new, beautiful machine

[pc]

Great video, mid size twins are over looked and under appreciated.
Back in my early riding days I owned, Suz 500 Titan, Kaw KH 400 Triple, Suz GT 550 triple and a 68 Triumph 500 Daytona, Red and white.
It was so much better to spend the day on the 500 than the 77 Tri 750 I owned a few years later. The 750 vibrated badly ( the exhaust balancer tube would rattle loose after a few hours!) and leaked oil constantly, it was a chore to own it. The 500 would putter along all day un fazed.
The Amal carbs with the "tickler" will test your patience and make your gloves smell like gas but it also teaches a rider about basic carb operation..when you eventually flood it.
The drum brakes were a weak point as well as the dim lighting but the exhaust note is one of the all time best.
Light, easy to maneuver, easy to wrench on and kick start only made for a good experience.

[johnorchard]

You have got it I have been riding a t100ss since 1972 still riding now at age72 never ever sell it that is the golden rule. Happy days John

[kdsowen]

As long as you love it, it works . I've owned 3 old Triumphs over the years, 2 500's and a a T140 750 which was my favorite of the 3. My Norton-Atlas 750 still lives -strong in my mind, as does my 75 Ducati 750. Cant afford to buy most of them these days, but still have an old yam TX650, an XV1000TR1 and a kawasaki W650 with the 360-crank..and a kick-start ! Great to see people of this generation enjoying classic-machines . Dave NZ