What Model Is This? Can You Tell?
- Thread starter Scott Parsons
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It's an older model Bonneville 650
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Scott Parsons
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TT? I remember him saying it had sirrianni (sp) forks, and he had to put mufflers on. I think he may have put the light on, too. Possibly a TT special? I remember t120tt. I'm almost sure of it, but those didn't have lights. Mufflers, either. I'll have to run the numbers when it gets here.
Scott Parsons
Member
I'll need to know which badges too as there are a couple different kinds here. I wanna restore it correct.
I think that grandpaul would be able to peg the date here if anyone can. To me it looks like could be around a 1966 650
Scott Parsons
Member
66 sounds right. I remember him being real proud of this bike. Talking about sirrianni forks and TT bars, etc. I can't wait to run the vin numbers! Looks pretty clean, too, but I also remember him telling me he painted it. Mixed it wrong and sprayed very thin but lots of coats, then shortly after, another tank landed on it and dented it. I'll want the right paint codes, and pics of any striping that is accurate to the bike. Maybe I should have it done by a pro triumph resto guy?
If you don't mind making them public, post the frame and engine numbers.
We can at least tell you what year those are.
We can at least tell you what year those are.
We could tell the year better if we could see the right side of the front drum brake.
I think it's a bike that was made to look like a TT Special (or some stuff was changed?). A TT didn't have chrome covers at the top of the forks, they had standard oil tanks, and of course no head or tail lamps. The forks to me look like standard Triumph with the gaiters removed.
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I think it's a bike that was made to look like a TT Special (or some stuff was changed?). A TT didn't have chrome covers at the top of the forks, they had standard oil tanks, and of course no head or tail lamps. The forks to me look like standard Triumph with the gaiters removed.
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Sounds like a job for GrandPaul.
Scott Parsons
Member
It's not here, yet, but I'll post the numbers.
That would help us a lot once we have those numbers
Scott Parsons
Member
I looked up nada msrp for the 66 t120s. Oh my goodness, these are worth a few bucks no matter the configuration!
Scott Parsons
Member
Looks like I'll need side covers too. Are they attainable?
Anything is obtainable and grandpaul would be your first port of call if you looking for parts at all.
Scott Parsons
Member
Looking forward to meeting him!
Well he should be along shortly as he is the moderator of our classic section
The gray top seat is 1966 or earlier. I think it is a modified '65 or '66. The vin number should tell you what it is.
That bike is a "bitsa" built from several (many?) different years.
All that is important is the engine and frame numbers, to make sure you order the right parts for each of those two very important assemblies.
Beyond that, you have stumbled upon one of the greatest aspects of Triumph big twin ownership - parts can be easily swapped and successfully fitted between (believe it or not) early 50s to mid 80s.
Looks to me like a late 60s TR6 chassis with a Bonnie head or engine. Concentric carbs are late 67 or newer. Custom oil tank, headlight and mufflers. TR6 fork yokes with cast-in handlebar mounts, and TR6 folding footpegs. Engines are very hard to I.D. without serial number. Gray top seats ended in early 67, but a new reproduction had be had anytime. Only the seat pan and hinges can give you a better clue. 69/70 front brake. The fact that it has a tach drive is a clue that it might indeed be a Bonneville engine. Frame has to be 69 or earlier, the 70 frames had the bolt-on front engine mount.
All that is important is the engine and frame numbers, to make sure you order the right parts for each of those two very important assemblies.
Beyond that, you have stumbled upon one of the greatest aspects of Triumph big twin ownership - parts can be easily swapped and successfully fitted between (believe it or not) early 50s to mid 80s.
Looks to me like a late 60s TR6 chassis with a Bonnie head or engine. Concentric carbs are late 67 or newer. Custom oil tank, headlight and mufflers. TR6 fork yokes with cast-in handlebar mounts, and TR6 folding footpegs. Engines are very hard to I.D. without serial number. Gray top seats ended in early 67, but a new reproduction had be had anytime. Only the seat pan and hinges can give you a better clue. 69/70 front brake. The fact that it has a tach drive is a clue that it might indeed be a Bonneville engine. Frame has to be 69 or earlier, the 70 frames had the bolt-on front engine mount.
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Scott Parsons
Member
Thanks fellas! Wouldn't surprise me at all that it's been modified. He had several frames, several engines, and lots of various parts. You know how it goes, start with a bike, any bike, and then it's a triumph here, BSA there, cb750 apart over there, pipes hanging everywhere... Just like me! He was an original "Richmond Rambler", a racer, and friends with folks like Dick Mann, (bugs). He was a good dude and I'll be riding this baby often.
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