Matching numbers; JD58868 T120. 

Engine and frame numbers match each other and V5C. Crankcase numbers match.

This bike was built on 17th of August 1970, so well into the 1971 production year, when Meriden should have been building their super-duper new Oil in Frame Bonnies, but because of the hopeless new frame design, which didn't allow a Triumph 650 engine to be fitted with the rocker boxes assembled, ( and once fitted without the rocker boxes, there wasn't room to re-fit them). So whilst they sorted out that mess the boys at Meriden carried on building their tried and tested Oil in tank models, like this one. 

History has shown that the newer OIF bikes were riddled with problems such as frame cracking, center stand failure, mudguard stay failures, uncomfortably high saddle, etc, etc. All of which has led to the late oil in tank Bonnies (like mine) to be regarded as the very best of the bunch.

The 1970 Bonnies had the best front forks, the best brakes, handled superbly, had the best engine breathing design and were even fitted with all the wiring for indicators, though this improvement was kept back for the new model range. But most of all looks like a proper Bonnie should!

This bike was fitted from new with the later 1971 reverse cone megaphone style silencers, presumably in an effort to update it from the earlier 1970 production.

This bike was despatched to Ken's Motorcycles in Newcastle on 9th of September 1970, and registered to them on 23rd September 1970. It then had two owners up North John Lester and Christopher Simmance, it then came down South to Salisbury where it had two owners Frank Mattick and Charles Gay, who registered it to himself on 5th of Nov 1975. The last tax disc expired at the end of March 1976, but the last MOT expired on 12th of Jan 1976. So all in all it looks like it was last used at the very end of 1975 or very early 1976. Charles Gay was the next door neighbour of Rob Rhind-Tutt of Wasp motorcycles fame. At some point Rob has bought the bike off Charles, but Rob never registered it to himself on the old card log book, and the bike was never recorded on the DVLA computer. Rob R-T was very good at collecting old bikes, but few if any ever got used, and they were all dry stored in his basement museum. 

I first came across this Bonnie about 25 years ago when Rob showed me around his 'museum'. I was amazed by the bike's originality, so obviously tried to buy it off him. Rob however didn't acquire a large collection of bikes by selling any, so I was politely but firmly told 'No!'

After Rob's death his bikes were auctioned off and I happened to be at the auction looking for one of Rob's Triumphs to remember him by. This bike was the one I liked most, so bought it on 15/02/2020. The speedo showed 15,360 which I believe to be correct, it was recorded as 12,768 miles on 13th Jan 1975 at it's last MOT. 

First job was getting a dating certificate from the Triumph owner's motorcycle club and getting it onto DVLA and retain the original registration number. 

Once this was done I started to carry out a sympathetic re-commissioning. I've had both wheels out re-greased bearings, cleaned up the brakes, changed all the oils, fitted new air-filter elements and fuel pipes, new battery, new Renolds chain, new Armours exhaust pipes, (as the originals were badly fractured and beyond repair, but will come with the bike if you'd like). 

After over 45 years of inactivity I was worried that the piston rings could be gummed up and valve seats tired, so I carried out a top end rebuild, no re-painting, re-plating or vapour blasting, just clean up, rings de-gummed and very gentle valve seat re-cut. 

I have also had all the outer covers off the engine to check the state of all the internals, these were fine so covers refitted after a bit of spit and polish, new clutch driven plates, and new cross head outer cover screws to replace some nasty chrome cap head screws that had been fitted. (We all did it!?!) Carbs were rebuilt with new gaskets and seals from Burlen.

I sourced a replacement for the missing timing side horn, this I imported from Norway, used but genuine Lucas and fully working, I already had a replacement for the missing side panel, used genuine Meriden part.

This bike is still fitted with original points and mechanical ATU ignition and starts first kick!

I got the Bonnie MOT'ed on 4th of Jan 2024, not because it needed it but as a reassurance. 

At 55 years old this bike IS tax and MOT exempt. 

Speedo now reads just over 15390. So very few miles in the last 45 years! In a couple of the photo's you might notice the zener diode mount is wrong, I have since fitted a NOS Triumph part to correct this issue.

This bike is great, fun to ride, powerful and fast enough to be safe, so why am I selling it? Well my daughter has plans to marry next year and weddings are expensive! I'm also down-sizing my bike collection, which has got a bit out of hand! 

If you are looking at this bike thinking it would be a great restoration project then....please don't buy it! 

There are a couple of 1970 Bonnies on ebay that have already been restored so get one of them instead. You could even finish off the restoration by fitting the correct saddle, petrol tank, horn, etc ,etc to one of them!?!

This bike is far too original to be restored. In fact to do so would be a crime against Triumphs! They are only original once and you will struggle to find a better one!

Bike comes with old green log book, old MOT, old tax discs, new V5C, Triumph dating letter, New MOT, auction catalogue and receipt.

Bike is advertised with Salisbury bike club so could be withdrawn from listing at any time.

Any questions please ask.......give me a call on 07833 257749

Last Picture is a 1969 TR6C that I am also listing.

Cheers