1969 Triumph 650cc T120R Bonneville

Post-World War II, Triumph’s larger twins remained recognizably similar to the first Speed Twin of 1938. But as the 1960s dawned, unitary construction of engine and gearbox, already a feature of the 350 and 500 twins, was applied to the 650s, launching in the 1963 model year. The café racer’s favourite since its launch, thanks to lusty acceleration and a top speed approaching 120mph, the Bonneville continued in this new form as Triumph’s top-of-the-range sportster. Adjustments to frame design and general specifications over the years, included standardized 12-volt electrics, shuttle-valve fork internals, independently adjustable ignition points, Amal Concentric carburettors and a long overdue twin-leading-shoe front brake. The Bonnie continued essentially unchanged, before the launch of the ‘oil-in-frame’ models in 1970.

The motorcycle offered

The matching-numbers bike offered from the penultimate year of the truly classic Bonnevilles has been in the vendor’s Arizona collection for several years. It was beautifully restored from the ground-up in 2011 but repainted again in 2019 with meticulous care to match the original orange. Fresh from a re-commissioning, the bike is offered in excellent mechanical condition.