1966 Triumph Bonneville ~ 628 Original Mile Time Capsule! Show Winner!

We hear about “barn finds” a lot lately as original unrestored vintage vehicles are now more highly valued than restored examples especially when its originality is fully confirmed and documented. Whether a classic Ferrari a vintage pickup truck or an old motorcycle when one of these sees the light of day after its long slumber enthusiasts and collectors gush with excitement. But there are fewer and fewer left every day…most have been found and snapped up.

This 628 original miles 1966 Triumph T120 Bonneville might be the ultimate classic bike barn find. First of all it’s one of the most iconic motorcycles ever built and it represents the zenith of British motorcycle domination worldwide. This one has all the hallmarks of what you’d wish for:

One owner from new (I purchased from the original owner’s son so still in original family). I’m not counting my brief ownership obviously.

Registered only once in 1967 (it was sold as a 1967 model and registered as such but it’s obviously a 1966 model confirmed by its engine number which puts it squarely in the middle of 1966 production). There is but one single registration sticker on its original black California plate from 1967.

This Bonnie was ridden only 628 miles after leaving the dealership then parked and covered. It was virtually a new motorcycle and today a time capsule. It deviates from 100% original in only two aspects. The original owner purchased a custom “button-tuck” seat which was all the rage back in ’67 and a set of slighter higher Flanders handlebars both installed by the dealer from new and genuine period accessories. I purchased and installed a replacement British-made gray-top seat correct for the year as I assume the machine will be displayed and to my eye it’s more attractive than the ’67 custom item. However that button-tuck seat is included as well in case the buyer would like to refit it. A photo of it as-found is included here.

Nothing else on the bike has been touched wrenched on dismantled etc. The carbs have never been apart; the original safety wiring of the Amal Monobloc float bowl chamber covers from the factory is still there. Every cable tubing nut bolt and washer is as it came from the factory. Even the original battery long a ghost obviously is still in place beneath the seat right next to the original tool kit in its original gray plastic tool tray.

Oh one correction. The original Dunlop tires from Coventry are still on the bike—in almost-new condition not even showing any cracking—but we replaced the original tubes as the 49-year old ones didn’t hold air. Go figure. In the interest of being able to easily roll the bike it was decided to carefully remove the tires replace the tubes and just as carefully remount the tires. Of course we retained the old original tubes for you!

We have made no attempt to start the machine. It does kick through and there is good compression but it’s virtually a new machine and if you wished to awaken it a full service would no doubt recommision it easily.

Other than this the motorcycle has been sympathetically cleaned and detailed. It came up absolutely stunning. It’s not showroom new of course as upon very close inspection you can see the tiny dots in the chrome plating that occur over time. The front stainless steel fender has a couple of tiny dings which can be professionally removed if you wish. The original paint gleams and polished up beautifully with very few and miniscule flaws. It’s truly a museum piece and possibly the very best lowest mileage original 1966 Triumph Bonneville available anywhere.

It will be sold with the original small California pink slip from 1983 when the son transferred his dad’s bike into his name but never rode it. A Bill of Sale will be provided as well. It’s on “Title Only” so no back fees are due. On the title the license plate number does not match the one on the bike but this is due to common practice when the dealer as a DMV agent assigned a sequentional number to the title upon its sale and the new owner picked up his plate at the local DMV whichever plate was next in the stack. Of course the engine and frame numbers match the machine.

No this Triumph did not belong to Steve McQueen Bud Ekins or the Pope. It’s a genuine incredibly low mileage one-family owned stunningly original piece of two-wheeled history. The crowning gem to any classic motorcycle collection.

On May 16 at the Hanford Classic Motorcycle Show this Triumph Bonneville won the Best Original Motorcycle class with a judged near-perfect score of 99.75 points. The quarter point it was docked was for some 49-year old dirt under the rear fender.

Now enjoy scrolling through the plethora of quality photos I’ve provided for you and feel free to ask me any questions except for what my reserve is. You know how to find that out! This piece of motorcycling history is unrepeatable so bid freely and make it yours.

Also published at eBay.com