Beschreibung:

• First-year model of a true British classic • Older, authentic ground-up restoration • Still presents as concours-worthy • Always stored properly, maintained regularly Named after the famed Salt Flats in Utah, site of Johnny Allen's 214-mph record run in the Triumph-powered "Texas Ceegar" streamliner, the original Bonneville roadster ushered in one of the most beloved and longest-tenured model names in motorcycling. Taking a cue from speed-hungry American tuners, the new bike was outfitted with an alloy splayed-port cylinder head, performance camshafts and twin carburetors, giving a nice 7hp increase in power over the single-carb T110. Painted in a striking orange and gray, the original T120 came to be known as the "Tangerine Dream," and is today one of the most collectible British classics. As well as the performance-enhancing top end, the Bonneville, together with the rest of Triumph's twins, incorporated a new, stronger crankshaft assembly that development had shown was necessary to cope with the increased power. To that end, the clutch assembly was also beefed up. Works tester Percy Tait had achieved 128mph at the MIRA proving grounds on a development bike, and even though this figure proved beyond the reach of the production version, the Bonnie was faster than the opposition, which is all that mattered. The "120" in its model designation was optimistic, sure, but a good-running Bonneville could sneak up on 110mph. American Motorcycling magazine was quick to trumpet the 650's performance potential. "The new Triumph Bonneville 120 provides the highest known performance of any motorcycle sold in the world today and will be the choice of the expert rider," they wrote in a preview article. Not many first-year Bonnies survived their first few years intact, however. Envisioned by the Brits as a light touring machine, the bikes were soon being hot-rodded by Yanks, meaning fenders got trimmed, headlight nacelles was tossed, mufflers were jettisoned, gas tanks changed out, etc. Invariably ridden hard, the scrappage rate was high – and then the chopper and café-racer movements hit! Happily, this first-of-the-line T120, a matching-numbers machine, began a meticulous restoration with many of its original parts intact, including the sheetmetal and Dunlop rims. Following disassembly, every nut, bolt and washer was re-cadmium plated. All alloy cases, covers and caps were professionally polished. Renewed throughout, the pre-unit engine breathes through a pair of Amal Monoblocs plumbed into the correct 14/617 remote float chamber. The atmosphere must have been cleaner back in '59 as air is funneled to the carbs via a pair of polished velocity stacks unsullied by any kind of filter. Special care was taken to get the signature Pearl Gray and Tangerine factory paint just right. Owned by a Florida collector for more than 10 years, this first-year T120 Bonneville has been pampered and religiously maintained; it would be a contender in any show entered.