1964 Triumph 650cc T120R Bonneville

1964 Triumph 650cc T120R Bonneville
Frame no. T120R DU6643
Engine no. T120R DU6643
There's little argument that a mid-1960s Triumph Bonneville is just about the best-looking Britbike ever made, with just-right proportions and a jaunty, let's-go-riding attitude. Comedian and motorcycle collector Jay Leno has owned a 1964 Bonnie for darn close to 30 years – it's exactly like the T120R on offer here – and says, 'As far as being a good-looking bike, they don't get much better. Simple, classic, elegant, it looks like a real motorcycle.'

This was the second year for Triumph's unit-construction 650, relegating the arcane setup of separate crankcases and gearbox housing to the history books. The ignition system was also brought out of the then Dark Ages, the ancient magneto/dynamo arrangement replaced with an alternator and points. The stiffer single-downtube chassis introduced in 1963 remained, though new-design forks were fitted. These had external springs covered by rubber gators, resulting in one of the best-handling road bikes of the 1960s. You could have your 1964 Bonneville in any color scheme you wanted – as long as that was Gold over Alaskan White.

This immaculate 1964 Bonneville was fully restored and subtly 'modernized' and thus made easier to ride on today's roads, witness the fitting of 12-volt electrics together with a TriSpark electronic ignition system, Amal Concentric carbs, and a new later style tach drive. The engine has since been run-in, re-torqued and readjusted by Baxter Cycle of Marne, Iowa. Few additional miles have been logged since. However, a recent service, fluid change, and road test make it ready to ride today.