1965 Triumph T120R

Greenwich Concours d'Elegance Online Auction|25 October 2021, 13:00 EDT|Greenwich, Hagerty Garage + Social

1965 Triumph T120R
Frame no. T120RDU18053
Engine no. T120RDU18053

Previewing in Bonhams Los Angeles by appointment. Please contact [email protected] for scheduling.

Graced by one of the most evocative model designations in the history of motorcycling, the Triumph Bonneville owes its existence to record-breaking successes achieved on the eponymous Utah salt flats in 1958, when a Tiger 110 set a new 650cc production machine record of over 147mph. A new alloy cylinder head with inlet ports splayed wide to accommodate twin carburetors had become available as a tuning aid early in 1958 and it was, chiefly, this innovation that enabled the specially prepared T110 to eclipse the performance of the standard version so far. Triumph lost no time in capitalizing on its technical breakthrough, announcing a new model equipped with the splayed 'head and twin Amal carburetors in September 1958: the Bonneville.

Testing a T120 'Bonnie' in June 1961, Motor Cycling magazine found that Triumph's range-topping sportster possessed abundant vitality. 'With exceptional top-end performance goes extraordinary vigor and tractability at low and medium speeds - a combination which makes it perhaps the fastest point-to-point roadster produced in Britain today.' As far as the dedicated Triumph enthusiast was concerned, there was no 'perhaps' about it.

Triumph's 650cc models had entered the 1960s recognizably similar to the first Speed Twin of 1938. Unitary construction of engine and gearbox was already a feature of the 350 and 500 twins though, and this innovation duly appeared on the 650s in 1963. The café racer's favorite since its launch in 1959, the Bonneville continue in this new form as Triumph's top-of-the-range sports model.

The T120R offered here appears to have been recipient of a sympathetic restoration in the past and has been well preserved by its late owner. Having been static for some time, a thorough mechanical check will be needed before heading back on the road. Additionally, the ignition has been misplaced and a new one will need to be produced.

Footnotes

Please note, the title will be in transit.

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