A college friend and I had 1972 Honda CB 350s in 1973 in Texas. One weekend he came back to school from visiting his parents in Houston with a new 1972 Triumph Bonneville just like your bike. Same colors. I didn’t ask to drive it, but he took me for a ride. It felt so much more powerful than my CB 350. I always liked that color scheme.😎
Hi, I currently have a 1971 numbers matching 650 Bonneville t120V one of several that came with the 5-speed late in the year. I love this bike. It starts 1 kick , idles smoothly almost immediately. The 5 speed makes this a joy to drive. The flack about OIF is baloney. It is a sturdy frame and the handling is nimble and precise. Being a bit older I found the higher seat provides a less cramped seating position. I can't wait to see this series. I bet you will really enjoy this bike.
I also have one of the same year. Apparently there were only just over 200 T120RV 5 speeds made in 1971. They needed to sell 200 to enable them to race in the USA in production bike races. The ratio of the gearbox was different to the ratio that came out in the 1972 5 speed. All were made in June or July, unless a later lot came out in that year of which I am not aware. I would be interested in knowing how many of them have survived. They are probably the rarest Bonnie. I know of only one in Australia other than mine, but there are probably quite a few spread over the world. What country are you living in Tmackinator?
Ahhhhhhh An Oil in Frame Bonneville. Now your talking Mike. Although my love affair begins with the 1973 model. Always appreciated the Gold and White 72. They are a beautiful bike and I’m certain when your done with it, all the little niggles will be sorted and you’ll become one with the machine. Nothing like it. Always best to come clean with the Mrs. Easing her into the idea of another bike is always a great plan. 😜My the theory is that if one or two are good, fifteen is wonderful! Bless you and the family!🌞🏍🙏🏻
Thanks a lot Stephen. I’m really enjoying working on this bike. I’ve always liked this color combination. My friend John has a 71 with the black swooshes/stripes on the tank. Best wishes, Mike
Beautiful. I bought a 1973 model that was still in a crate at the back of the dealer's shop. It was the best handling bike I ever owned and was a sheer pleasure to push around the curly and undulating roads of country New Zealand. Marred only slightly by some cheap manufacturing choices such as the way the exhaust pipes sat in the head, the mounts for the front mudguard, and a couple of other niggles. But I loved that machine.
Hee hee, the challenge is getting to the bikes in the garage now :-) they are packed in there and it’s probably time to start letting some of them go… But I’ve been saying that for years :-) hope you have a great holiday. Cheers, Mike
One of the most memorable, exciting days of my life was in 1972 when a friend loaned me for a day his Bonneville. We rode out to the motorcycle races through the town of Elsinore, CA, which included Steve McQueen racing. I loved that Bonneville. (My own daily rider was a lowly, worn-out Yamaha YDS-3 250cc two stroker).
I have never been a great fan of the Triumph unit twins, specially the oil in frame models, but nice bikes anyway. I'm looking forward to seeing the next videos. Christophe.
Thank you Gary for your note. I've spent a lot of time on the bike over the holidays and made good progress. Have five videos lineup for the new year :-) cheers, Mike
Nice find, Mike. I'll look forward to seeing this series..... In my experience, once you have suitable number of bikes the wife can't discern a new one from the scores of old ones..... Happy Holidays!!
Great find! Great wife! My first britbike was a '71 Bonnie.Tank-gold w/black scallops. I took my test on that machine.Learned to set up carbs,and points. One set of points held its setting,and the other needed regular attention. Always wondered if the longer aftermarket front brake cam lever and/or a heavier cable,was worthwhile. The tank leaked at the center-post,and had to be lined. The '71 front mudguard only had the'horizontal' stays,which when repaired, would only fracture again at the next weak point. '72 had additional 'vertical' stays due to that issue. '73 was a new design altogether. Looking forward to this mini-series.
Enjoyed the video as always Mike. Looking forward to your tearring into it and see where the bike is as far as being ready to hit the road. RIDE SAFE MIKE!
Many thanks Henry. I hope you have a great holiday. Making good progress on the Triumph so far while I have been off work on holiday this week. Best wishes, Mike
I brought one of these, same colour, new in 1972. Brought it from Harvey Owen in the Walworth Road, South London, paid £470.00. Different shape tank. First bike after passing my test, had to sell it when I got married. Wish I still had the bike, still got the wife🤣
I have a 71 4 speed and I have made it into a flat tracker style. It suits the taller bike. New carbs, electronic ignition, belt drive primary and the bike is reliable and used every day even through the winter. I live in Meriden uk so the bike lives not far from where it was made. Would not be without my bonnie. Look forward to seeing what mods you make!
Bet that was a nice surprise for the Mrs’ 😀 Poor Manxman, you’ll get round to it one day 👍 Ride safe and all the best for the holidays to you and your family 🎅🏼 🙏
Nice bike. I had a 1971 BSA A65T OIF about 10 years ago that I restored when you could get OIF bikes for buttons. It was a good bike with no problems except some small oil weeps from the gearbox main seal and primary drive seal. It handled well and the conical hub brakes were ok if you set them up properly. It was quite tall and heavy though for a 5' 7'' bloke like me.
Hi i am really looking forward to see how you get on with this Bonnie. I have a September 1973 T120v registered in 1974 UK spec model, it is one of the lock in bikes when the workers took over Meridan according to the VMCC just over a thousand were made. America & Canada received 700 the rest remained in the UK. All the best Baz
Hi Baz, thanks a lot for sharing. I really like the 73/74 models. They seemed to have fixed a lot of the problems with the earlier OIF bikes by then. I’ve spent a lot of time on the bike during the last week of the holidays and have quite a lot of video clips ready to post starting in the new year. Hope you will enjoy them. Best wishes, Mike
Thanks Mike, my favourite bike ever '72 T120rv. Lose that air cleaner box, change that seat out, peashooters or smaller cans and she'll be perfect. Maybe won't look original but it will look the business.
Hey, Mike, congratulations for having that beauty! My TR is a 1979 Tiger T 140 V, shifter on the left side…😊 greetings from northern Germany ( -7 degrees Celsius and 10 cm snow… 😢 Manfred
I had a 71 and the seat height made it feel like it was going to slide out from under you on a tight curve. Mitigated somewhat with Koni dial a tune shocks and a lower profile rear tyre so the back end dropped down a bit. Rebuilt the bike ground up, put a Morgo 750 kit on it , converted from 4 speed to 5, 2 into 1 similar to the Bonny special ( different shorter tail pipe) heaps of torque, wanted to put different cam to give it a bit more lump but spent thousands on already. Brakes terrible but had fun 🙂
So is it your bike or is it Jeff's bike? It wasn't clear in the video. Maybe you kept it ambiguous on purpose incase your wife was watching. That's a good looking OIF Bonneville. The oil in frame Triumphs don't excite me as much as the earlier models but I've never actually owned one. I'm sure they're great bikes. Looking forward to watching you get this one back on the road.
Hi Dave, it's my bike 😉 the cat is out of the bag! I know what you mean. I prefer the 50's and 60's models for sure. It's a fun bike and I'm enjoying working on it. Best wishes, Mike
How do you get away with it? I have two bikes and my wife still gives me the "Hairy Eyeball" after 18 years. Ha Ha! The Triumph should be a nice project. Cheers!
A college friend and I had 1972 Honda CB 350s in 1973 in Texas. One weekend he came back to school from visiting his parents in Houston with a new 1972 Triumph Bonneville just like your bike. Same colors. I didn’t ask to drive it, but he took me for a ride. It felt so much more powerful than my CB 350. I always liked that color scheme.😎
Beautiful bike is the T120V ! I bought one from Reg Allen, Ealing, London (NOR190L) in 1978, absolutely loved it !
Thanks a lot, David. Glad you enjoyed the video. Cheers, Mike
Hi, I currently have a 1971 numbers matching 650 Bonneville t120V one of several that came with the 5-speed late in the year. I love this bike. It starts 1 kick , idles smoothly almost immediately. The 5 speed makes this a joy to drive. The flack about OIF is baloney. It is a sturdy frame and the handling is nimble and precise. Being a bit older I found the higher seat provides a less cramped seating position. I can't wait to see this series. I bet you will really enjoy this bike.
I also have one of the same year. Apparently there were only just over 200 T120RV 5 speeds made in 1971. They needed to sell 200 to enable them to race in the USA in production bike races. The ratio of the gearbox was different to the ratio that came out in the 1972 5 speed. All were made in June or July, unless a later lot came out in that year of which I am not aware.
I would be interested in knowing how many of them have survived. They are probably the rarest Bonnie.
I know of only one in Australia other than mine, but there are probably quite a few spread over the world. What country are you living in Tmackinator?
Ahhhhhhh An Oil in Frame Bonneville. Now your talking Mike. Although my love affair begins with the 1973 model. Always appreciated the Gold and White 72. They are a beautiful bike and I’m certain when your done with it, all the little niggles will be sorted and you’ll become one with the machine. Nothing like it.
Always best to come clean with the Mrs. Easing her into the idea of another bike is always a great plan. 😜My the theory is that if one or two are good, fifteen is wonderful!
Bless you and the family!🌞🏍🙏🏻
Can’t wait for you to get started Mike ! Thank you Mrs Mike, at least you know where he is 😉. Ray 🇬🇧
a great winter project...luv the colour
Many thanks. Yes it’s really growing on me! It’s total 70s :-) cheers, Mike
Nice Mike, very 70's colour looking forward to this one 😀
Thanks a lot Stephen. I’m really enjoying working on this bike. I’ve always liked this color combination. My friend John has a 71 with the black swooshes/stripes on the tank. Best wishes, Mike
Beautiful. I bought a 1973 model that was still in a crate at the back of the dealer's shop. It was the best handling bike I ever owned and was a sheer pleasure to push around the curly and undulating roads of country New Zealand. Marred only slightly by some cheap manufacturing choices such as the way the exhaust pipes sat in the head, the mounts for the front mudguard, and a couple of other niggles. But I loved that machine.
Super bike Mike! Can't wait to watch you ripping into that beauty.
What a nice stable you’re collecting. What decisions to make,”Do I ride the Vincent today? One of the Norton’s? One of the Triumphs? “ 😂
Hee hee, the challenge is getting to the bikes in the garage now :-) they are packed in there and it’s probably time to start letting some of them go… But I’ve been saying that for years :-) hope you have a great holiday. Cheers, Mike
One of the most memorable, exciting days of my life was in 1972 when a friend loaned me for a day his Bonneville. We rode out to the motorcycle races through the town of Elsinore, CA, which included Steve McQueen racing. I loved that Bonneville. (My own daily rider was a lowly, worn-out Yamaha YDS-3 250cc two stroker).
I have never been a great fan of the Triumph unit twins, specially the oil in frame models, but nice bikes anyway.
I'm looking forward to seeing the next videos.
Christophe.
Look forward to the updates. I have a 71 BSA Lightning and it is also tall in the seat. Thanks for posting.
Thank you Gary for your note. I've spent a lot of time on the bike over the holidays and made good progress. Have five videos lineup for the new year :-) cheers, Mike
Looking forward to seeing the rest of this new project.
Many thanks! It's a really cool bike and I'm enjoying working on it. Best wishes, Mike
Congrats Mike !! Beautiful bike.
Hi Erwin, thank you very much for your note. Hope you have a great holiday. Best wishes, Mike
@@TheMightyGarage Merry X-mas and a happy new year !!
Welcome to the Bonnie club Mike! Looking very much forward to seeing your process through this bike! Cheers, Nikki
Nice find, Mike. I'll look forward to seeing this series..... In my experience, once you have suitable number of bikes the wife can't discern a new one from the scores of old ones..... Happy Holidays!!
Great find!
Great wife!
My first britbike was a '71 Bonnie.Tank-gold w/black scallops.
I took my test on that machine.Learned to set up carbs,and points.
One set of points held its setting,and the other needed regular attention.
Always wondered if the longer aftermarket front brake cam lever
and/or a heavier cable,was worthwhile.
The tank leaked at the center-post,and had to be lined.
The '71 front mudguard only had the'horizontal' stays,which when repaired,
would only fracture again at the next weak point. '72 had
additional 'vertical' stays due to that issue.
'73 was a new design altogether.
Looking forward to this mini-series.
Enjoyed the video as always Mike. Looking forward to your tearring into it and see where the bike is as far as being ready to hit the road. RIDE SAFE MIKE!
Many thanks Henry. I hope you have a great holiday. Making good progress on the Triumph so far while I have been off work on holiday this week. Best wishes, Mike
I brought one of these, same colour, new in 1972. Brought it from Harvey Owen in the Walworth Road, South London, paid £470.00. Different shape tank. First bike after passing my test, had to sell it when I got married. Wish I still had the bike, still got the wife🤣
You do live on the edge Mike .. 😂🤣😂
A nice looking bike .. 👍atvb .. t
It's hard to believe that You haven't had a Bonneville, but You said it so I gotta believe it. 🤣 Really like that color. I got a blue 72. 👌
Hello Mike !!!!super Sympa la t120 👍
Merci Gilles! I hope you are doing well and have a great holiday. Best wishes, Mike
Lookin forward to it
I have a 71 4 speed and I have made it into a flat tracker style. It suits the taller bike. New carbs, electronic ignition, belt drive primary and the bike is reliable and used every day even through the winter. I live in Meriden uk so the bike lives not far from where it was made. Would not be without my bonnie. Look forward to seeing what mods you make!
Bet that was a nice surprise for the Mrs’ 😀
Poor Manxman, you’ll get round to it one day 👍
Ride safe and all the best for the holidays to you and your family 🎅🏼 🙏
Will follow with interest.........
Many thanks, glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks as always for your comments. Cheers, Mike
Great stuff 🙌
It has a beautiful bicolor tank.
A great project. These are classic Bonnies, OIF notwithstanding.
Nice bike. I had a 1971 BSA A65T OIF about 10 years ago that I restored when you could get OIF bikes for buttons. It was a good bike with no problems except some small oil weeps from the gearbox main seal and primary drive seal. It handled well and the conical hub brakes were ok if you set them up properly. It was quite tall and heavy though for a 5' 7'' bloke like me.
Hi i am really looking forward to see how you get on with this Bonnie. I have a September 1973 T120v registered in 1974 UK spec model, it is one of the lock in bikes when the workers took over Meridan according to the VMCC just over a thousand were made. America & Canada received 700 the rest remained in the UK.
All the best
Baz
Hi Baz, thanks a lot for sharing. I really like the 73/74 models. They seemed to have fixed a lot of the problems with the earlier OIF bikes by then. I’ve spent a lot of time on the bike during the last week of the holidays and have quite a lot of video clips ready to post starting in the new year. Hope you will enjoy them. Best wishes, Mike
Thanks Mike, my favourite bike ever '72 T120rv. Lose that air cleaner box, change that seat out, peashooters or smaller cans and she'll be perfect. Maybe won't look original but it will look the business.
Hey, Mike, congratulations for having that beauty! My TR is a 1979 Tiger T 140 V, shifter on the left side…😊 greetings from northern Germany ( -7 degrees Celsius and 10 cm snow… 😢 Manfred
I had a 71 and the seat height made it feel like it was going to slide out from under you on a tight curve. Mitigated somewhat with Koni dial a tune shocks and a lower profile rear tyre so the back end dropped down a bit. Rebuilt the bike ground up, put a Morgo 750 kit on it , converted from 4 speed to 5, 2 into 1 similar to the Bonny special ( different shorter tail pipe) heaps of torque, wanted to put different cam to give it a bit more lump but spent thousands on already. Brakes terrible but had fun 🙂
Really interested in this bike, it's the same year, model, as mine ( mine's 5 speed as well ), look forward to watching your work on it.
Thanks Kevin. I’m really enjoying working on the bike. It’s great. Best wishes, Mike
So is it your bike or is it Jeff's bike? It wasn't clear in the video. Maybe you kept it ambiguous on purpose incase your wife was watching. That's a good looking OIF Bonneville. The oil in frame Triumphs don't excite me as much as the earlier models but I've never actually owned one. I'm sure they're great bikes. Looking forward to watching you get this one back on the road.
Hi Dave, it's my bike 😉 the cat is out of the bag! I know what you mean. I prefer the 50's and 60's models for sure. It's a fun bike and I'm enjoying working on it. Best wishes, Mike
This should be interesting.
These were expensive in the UK. £614 is a figure that springs to mind.
I had a 69 tiger. My son has it now of course it's not an original form shall we say always like the bike that one looks like a good one
Happy New Year, Mike. You must be married to a Saint !!
I bought a new 1972 Triumph Bonneville T120 650. Had a great time on it but had to sell it.
Nice,
Thank you Alp! I hope you are all doing well. Best wishes to you and your family for the holidays.
A few short hours on "the rack" and you'll be just tall enough by next year's riding season. 😂
Ha ha, thanks Kevin. It might take more than a few hours :-) I might have to dig out my old platform shoes from the 70s :-) cheers, Mike
mike i am going to email you pics of my 72
How do you get away with it? I have two bikes and my wife still gives me the "Hairy Eyeball" after 18 years. Ha Ha!
The Triumph should be a nice project. Cheers!
I love a tall seat but I am 6ft 1 lol.
Make a good chopper.
mike pics would not go send me email please i will try via reply