Ron Salgado came to Syracuse (Hancock Field) via the USAF on June 17, 1971. Salgado, originally from Southern California, met his wife, Debbie, on a blind date set up by a fellow Airman.l They've been happily married ever since. This July will be their 29th wedding anniversary.i
They have a daughter, Nicole, age 23 who graduated from Cicero North Syracuse High School in 1995 and Cornell University in 1998. Nicole is currently living and working in San Gregorio, California.
Son, Matthew, age 16, is entering his Junior year at CNS and is an avid hockey player.
Salgado has been employed with Atlas Fence, Inc, since 1985, and works as a Commercial Project Estimator. Favorite Hobbies include: Motorcycling, woodworking, tennis, fishing, gardening and watching the NFL on t.v. (Go San Diego Chargers!).
Here's Ron's Story:
"The madness started when I got to know a softball player from Watertown, NY, who owned a red and white 1974 Bonneville. Brian would ride to Syracuse once a week to play ball with our team. He would get home from work around 4 pm and race to Syracuse on his 'Bonnie' to make the 6:30 pm games. I asked him why he didn't drive his car to the games. He said, 'Why would I do that when I have the Triumph?' After that, I had to have one.
Unfortunately, at that time, our budget would not allow for this type of expenditure. So I went without. But I kept thinking about Brian's 'Bonnie'.
In 1987, while estimating a job, I came upon the '76 Bonneville I presently ride. She was in terrible shape, and had been left leaning up against a building, uncovered for a number of years. She had been cannibalized, and what was left was a rusted mess. I worked out a deal with the owner and picked it up the following day. Since money was still an issue, I rolled it off my truck and into my shed where it sat for about six years. One day my son, Matt, asked 'When are you ever going to get that lump running?' I said, 'Matt, I'm going to start today!'
With that, I rolled it out of the shed and straight into the garage where I had full intentions to start the restoration. However, it stayed in the garage, untouched, for another three years. On August 14, 1996, I started the tear-don. On September 11, 1998, at 6 pm, I attempted to start her. It was a tense moment. You see, I had never attempted such a project before, and I really had no idea what I was doing!
The wiring was all temporary. I had just installed an electronic ignition, and kept thinking and wondering 'Am I going to fry the system'? I said, 'Matt, stand back. I'm switching the key!'. Matt stood outside the garage door, just in case!
Ignition on, everthing OK. Carbs tickled... gas flowing! The 'Moment of Truth'! First kick, believe it or not, I got a cough. Second kick, a short idle (things looked promising)! Third kick, sustained idle! Success!!! No mufflers... very VERY LOUD! Music to our ears! After some balancing and adjusting, the 1976 Triumph T140 V Bonneville was running. The rest is history.
~ What I like about my Triumph are the lines. They seem to flow in proper direction without conflict. The best view, I think, is from the timing cover side. The view from the riding position is good too. From this view, the tank and exhaust pipes form an hour-glass shape that is very pleasing to the eye.
Of course, there is the legendary Triumph sound. My Bonnie doesn't have the true '60's sound of less restricted silencers, but even still, that "certain sound" roars through. And then there's the tank colors and tank badges. No other motorcycle, in my opinion, came close to offering such a wide array of color combinations that are truly works of art. Everybody likes Triumphs!! (even HD riders)
