Triumph 1979 T140 Bonneville 744 cc 2 cyl OHV 3601

Triumph 1979 T 140 “Bonneville” 744 cc OHV twin frame & engine # T140EKA13014

The Bonneville owes its creation to the 1937 Triumph Speed Twin, designed by Edward Turner. This breakthrough design served as a blueprint for future classic British motorbikes. Public demand for more power increased every year and in 1949, Turner upgraded the bike to become the 1950 6T Thunderbird. During the 1950s, Triumph racked up a number of victories on the Bonneville Salt Flats in the US. For example, in 1955, Johnny Allen rode his Triumph streamliner to 193.30 mph, setting the record for the world’s fastest motorbike. The next year, he outdid his record and came in at 214.17 mph. Bolstered by this success, Triumph introduced the Bonneville in 1959. Based on the Triumph Tiger T110 and designated the T120, It was Turner’s last design before he retired. It had a 649cc parallel-twin engine that gave it the distinction of being the fastest motorbike in the world at the time. However, Triumph miscalculated the US market. The Bonneville had a clunky headlight and valanced fenders, making it more suited to changeable British weather. America wanted a stripped down bike, so Triumph tweaked the 1960 version to be more appealing. In 1967, Triumph sold an estimated 28,000 T120s in the US. The bike was upgraded in 1971 by getting a new frame which contained the engine oil instead of using a separate tank. By then the power output would amount to 50 bhp @ 7,000 rpm.
The 649 cc capacity production T120 Bonneville was replaced in the early 1970s by the T140 Bonneville, the same basic machine but with a 750 cc class engine. Refined from the later ‘oil in frame’ version of the T120, the first few T140s, designated T140V, featured a larger-capacity engine of 724 cc, a five-speed gearbox and indicators, but still retaining drum brakes and kick-start. Shortly after, the engine was further bored out to 744 cc and front disc brakes were fitted (using single discs until 1982). While originally intended for ‘export only’, the 750 Bonneville twin caused so much interest among visitors to the 1973 motorcycle shows, that Triumph decided to put the bike on the home market at the price of 679 UK pounds. In 1975, along with engine modifications, the gearchange lever was moved from right to left to comply with new regulations mandated for the American market and a rear disc brake fitted. Several T140 models followed, featuring various modifications and refinements including electric starting from 1980 until production ceased with the closure of the Meriden works in 1983.
This road-registered Bonnie has matching frame and engine numbers and comes in good overall condition. Her engine delivers 54 hp @ 6,200 rpm and she is fitted with front and rear disc brakes and luggage rack with leather pouch.