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International Six Days Trial successes in the late 1940s prompted Triumph to develop their range of the 500cc TR5 and then for the 650cc TR6, introduced for 1956. The larger capacity bikes retained their sporting character but became more of a roadster as time passed, ending up, in effect, as a single-carburetor T120 Bonneville, whose specification in all other respects it closely followed. More tractable than the Bonnie and more economical too, the TR6 gave little away in terms of outright performance, its standing quarter-mile time and top speed being within a whisker of its twin-carb sibling’s.
However, although the pair possessed an impeccable engine, Triumph’s larger models were widely recognized as lacking in the handling department, especially when compared to rivals Norton. Following the wholesale changes of frame layout in the late pre-unit era, a single down-tube design was introduced on the 650cc ‘unit’ twins for 1963, although even this would undergo several detail alterations over the next eight years. By the decade’s end the 650 Triumphs had arrived at what most enthusiasts agree is the models’ ultimate incarnation, and today these late, pre-‘oil-in-frame’ 650s are becoming increasingly sought after by collectors on both sides of the Atlantic.
Magoo is an old-time striper and painter from Las Vegas – he claims to have been around forever. Striping custom cars and motorcycles for a long career, Magoo has achieved solid fame in a world forged by the likes of Von Dutch.
This very nicely presented matching numbers example of the last and arguably the best year of pre-oil in frame bikes was built in November of 1969. It is offered with a red tank with custom striping by Magoo, signed by him and cleared over (see photo).
Fresh from a recent full re-commissioning, the bike is reported to run well.
Frame no. TR6R PC03007
Engine no. PC03007 TR6R
SOLD
