71 650

[waynemags]

hello to all.first off, i just picked up a 1971 650 bonneville T120. its the oil in the frame chassis.it doesnt have a tach and i was wondering what the safe highway speed these are capable of. its my first triumph and just want to be sure.

 

[The Seeker]

It's capable of going faster than you will have the guts to try!!

Even without a tach, you'll know when you've reached the limit of it's ability to rev any higher when the valves/ignition points begin "floating" and it starts to "break-up" (not literally....but it'll begin missing beats).

Congratulations on a nice classic!!

 

[Rocky]

The T120 was built to be a highway cruiser and can easily sustain speeds of 110 - 120 kph - or whatever the speed limit is in Alberta.
Keep in mind that this is with a tight motor and not one that is 3/4 shot and rattling. If you beat a worn motor to death with high revs and excessive speeds you can expect trouble.
If your speedo is working and is reasonably accurate then use that as your guide. You don't need a tach for highway cruising.

 

[CarlS]

I will caution you that while your Bonnie will easily break the ton, you don't want a prolonged stay up there. These vintage babies can get mighty twitchy at those speeds. Congratulations on a great vintage ride.

 

[The Seeker]

That's what I meant by faster than you have the guts to go.....it's a vintage bike unknown to you personally. Anything could break or go out suddenly to catch you out. Until I got to inspect the roadworthyness of every nut and bolt, I wouldn't attempt to test it's top end.

 

[DaveM]

Congratulation on the bike love those old one's takes me back to when I had my first one in the 70's :y18:

 

[grandpaul]

That bike, if maintaned to a reasonable degree, SHOULD be capable of sustained highway speeds with no issues at all.

...other than numb-bum & hands!