Triumph entered the 1960s with its larger twin-cylinder machines recognizably similar to the first Speed Twin of 1938. Unitary construction of the engine and gearbox was already a feature of the 350cc and 500cc twins though, and this innovation duly appeared on the 650s in 1963. The café racer’s favorite since its launch in 1959 thanks to its lusty acceleration and a top speed approaching 120mph, the Bonneville continued in this new form as Triumph’s top-of-the-range sports roadster. Its engine, chassis and cycle parts were updated year by year, and by the decade’s end the T120R Bonneville had arrived at what most enthusiasts agree is the model’s ultimate incarnation. Today these late, pre-‘oil-in-frame’ Bonnevilles are becoming increasingly sought after by collectors on both sides of the Atlantic.

Dating from the last year of production prior to the introduction of the successor oil-in-frame model, this unit-construction T120R has been fitted with a 750cc ‘big bore’ kit, a route to increased power that Triumph themselves would go down with the T140 in 1972. Restored from ‘ground up’ in 2005, with the work was carried out by a shop in Paris, CA. Previous shown at the 2007 San Francisco Rod, Custom & Motorcycle Show where it was an award winner, this very ridable Triumph still shows very well.

Without reserve