Lot details
Registration No: BYF568H
Frame No: T120/ND31161
Engine No: T120/ND31161
cc: 650

For many enthusiasts the 1969/70 season T120 Bonneville's represent the model at its zenith. Ten years of continuous development had seen the early examples questionable handling tamed and then refined to the point that it had become a benchmark by which other machines were judged. Unit construction had been adopted for the 1963 season, resulting in simplified servicing and cleaner lines and the twin leading shoe front brake adopted from the 1968 season ensured that the machines now stopped as well as they went. For the 1969 season revisions to the flywheels which became heavier and refinements regarding the carburation laid to rest the last areas that could be criticised, namely the slightly peaky, on/off power delivery and its attendant vibration and the erratic idle and "flat spot" that had characterised earlier "concentric" equipped versions. The majority of the fixings now utilised UNF threads and the gearbox adopted wider ratios. Cosmetically the model continued in the classic Triumph mode although the tank badge changed to a slightly less fussy design.
For 1970 little changed other than the cosmetics to the UK machines with a large central silver panel replacing the scallops on the fuel tank. Ironically, given the hiatus that was about to be created with the introduction of the Umberslade Hall designed 1971 season models and the consequent collapse in sales that season, 1970 was the best year in terms of sales for the "Bonnie" in the States and marks the end of an era .
This example of the iconic 1970 UK specification machine has been in the same ownership for the last ten years. It has, according to the vendor, been "meticulously restored" subsequently residing in the house as an "exhibit". Finished in Astral red with silver tank panels it is offered with a Swansea V5C.