Posted 13 years ago
Starstruck…
(1 item)
The only 1970 Bonneville 750 all original Triumph still in Existence - 894 original miles. Original Owner. Rare bike only 211 of these bikes were made and approved for AMA competition in 1970. This is the only one that did not go into competition. The other 210 were stripped down and put into racing. American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation researched this motorcycle & provided letter of authentication.
Nice bike! That's a keeper.
I love the sound of those motors..... had a 650 years ago. I had a Norton to good old english iron.
Do you get it out for a ride very often ? Love the deep rumble these make ,,,,
Nice bike! I just acquired a triumph T120R frame and a custom orange painted dual gas tank, already had a larger custom painted faded orange to red tank from the 50s.
This isn't a 750! Triumph didn't make a 750 Bonney until later, when they went with oil in frame. I owned and rode several of these pre-71 machines. Great memories.
The 1970 RTs were the "consumer" requirement and that made the 750 Triumph Twin a "Stock" bike. And all the racers then had to be derived from stock bikes. Any 650 could have been legally raced when the 750 displacement rule went into effect, OHV or Flathead. But, since Triumph didn't then offer a 750 to the public, they rushed to get one out, and AMA required that 200 be sold to the public to qualify as a "production" bike. That's why you saw so many older Triumphs, particularly the 65 and earlier bikes, in racing. The early bikes had deraked frames, compared to the 66 and later bikes, which made them handle better in Flattrack and TT races. Check your information Adam - this is the only all stock one still in existence. Here is a link showing copies of the original letters Triumph sent out regarding this experimental bike. http://triumphbonneville120.co.uk/1970-t120rt.php
You want to be careful about claiming your's is the "only". I have an original 750RT also, still running on it's original pistons. I saw another one on eBay six months ago. It had the original Routt pistons too. Every other one I've ever seen has been fitted with aftermarket low-compression pistons.
It's the Routt pistons that are critical, because they are the only components that cannot be replaced or faked.
I think there are about 50 out of 204 of these 750RT's that are accounted for. That leaves about 150 of them that are still missing.
I inherited a 1970 bonneyville with only 18 original miles on the OD, although this bike is so very close to brand new off the 1970 showroom floor, the forks, handle bars, and tank have been altered, and I do not know if this was an optional upgrade, or done by him after purchasing for he passed away many years ago.
but maybe someone here could help me find out?
While the machine shown in the pictures is very nice it is NOT the only original unmolested T120RT in existence. I know of two just as original as this one. Also I don't know where the 211 unit number came from
as the as the accepted production number is 204. Also not all bikes were stripped for racing. I suspect only a few were actually campaigned. Most of them wound up on the streets.
The bike shown has VIN after mine
My old friend Kadutz is correct. I also own a verified T120RT. Mine is all original and was also a west coast conversion. It has never been apart and still runs like a Triumph should.
Aceaceca
Great to hear from you. Time passes can't believe how long ago it was when we finally got the AMA to verify these bikes. Really can't believe it was over 27 years ago I sent Terry McDonald much of the information on the RT on hit Website. Don't be a stranger haven't seen you on the RAT in a while.
K