LOT 143
1966 Triumph T120TT Frame no. T120TT DU39671 Engine no. T120TT DU39671
Estimate: US$12,000 - US$16,000
Lot 143
1966 Triumph T120TT Frame no. T120TT DU39671 Engine no. T120TT DU39671
Collectors' Motorcycles at the Barber Museum|5 October 2019, 12:00 CDT|Birmingham, Barber Motorsports Museum
1966 Triumph T120TT
Frame no. T120TT DU39671
Engine no. T120TT DU39671
Frame no. T120TT DU39671
Engine no. T120TT DU39671
• Matching Numbers
• High performance factory off-road race bike
• Only 900 built
• Bike was apparently barely ridden
• Refinished tank, but nice patina on the rest of the bike
Originally conceived for the 1963 model year, by west coast distributor Bill Johnson of Johnson Motors, the TT was a high performance, factory race bike, stripped down and performance tuned to fill the niche markets of off-road racing. Modified Triumphs were already finding considerable success – flat track and TTs, scrambles, desert, hare and hound. In 1967, at the end of its limited production run, only 900 TT Specials had been built.
Beginning with and improving upon their street legal motorcycles offered at the time, the Triumph factory racer came with higher compression pistons, hotter camshafts and a high output ignition system, to produce 54hp at 6,500rpm. Closer ratio gears were installed in the four-speed gearbox, sprocket ratios were altered, and larger diameter exhaust pipes were tucked under the frame, without mufflers. Aluminum, or more durable stainless fenders, replaced the street items. Lights, fork lock and speedometer were deleted and only a tachometer was fitted. The forks received special springs and valving. These stripped-down bikes weighed 350 pounds. Additional developments for 1966 were the adoption of a 28-degree steering head angle, 12-volt electrical system and full-width 8-inch leading shoe front brake.
This 'factory' racer, when found languishing in a storage facility in New Mexico in 2018 having sat indefinitely, showed no signs of wear and tear that would indicate ever having been ridden off road; ever having been ridden much at all. The bike was subsequently recommissioned over a two-year period – the tank was refinished but the frame and cycle parts were not, instead its existing lovely patina was left. The engine did not need re-building apart from the ignition and the carburetors. The suspension and brakes were 'serviced and sorted,' the tires replaced. Barely broken in, it demands admiration and careful inspection.
• High performance factory off-road race bike
• Only 900 built
• Bike was apparently barely ridden
• Refinished tank, but nice patina on the rest of the bike
Originally conceived for the 1963 model year, by west coast distributor Bill Johnson of Johnson Motors, the TT was a high performance, factory race bike, stripped down and performance tuned to fill the niche markets of off-road racing. Modified Triumphs were already finding considerable success – flat track and TTs, scrambles, desert, hare and hound. In 1967, at the end of its limited production run, only 900 TT Specials had been built.
Beginning with and improving upon their street legal motorcycles offered at the time, the Triumph factory racer came with higher compression pistons, hotter camshafts and a high output ignition system, to produce 54hp at 6,500rpm. Closer ratio gears were installed in the four-speed gearbox, sprocket ratios were altered, and larger diameter exhaust pipes were tucked under the frame, without mufflers. Aluminum, or more durable stainless fenders, replaced the street items. Lights, fork lock and speedometer were deleted and only a tachometer was fitted. The forks received special springs and valving. These stripped-down bikes weighed 350 pounds. Additional developments for 1966 were the adoption of a 28-degree steering head angle, 12-volt electrical system and full-width 8-inch leading shoe front brake.
This 'factory' racer, when found languishing in a storage facility in New Mexico in 2018 having sat indefinitely, showed no signs of wear and tear that would indicate ever having been ridden off road; ever having been ridden much at all. The bike was subsequently recommissioned over a two-year period – the tank was refinished but the frame and cycle parts were not, instead its existing lovely patina was left. The engine did not need re-building apart from the ignition and the carburetors. The suspension and brakes were 'serviced and sorted,' the tires replaced. Barely broken in, it demands admiration and careful inspection.
Footnotes
Offered on a Bill of Sale
As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.
Additional information
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