Triumphrat

Bonnieguy71 · 05-21-2009, 04:59 PM

Hope to get some verification:
I have a 1971 Bonnie 5 SPEED! T120RV. I have been told that this is a rare bike because they didn't come out with the 5 speeds until 1972. I was told that in order to class the bonnie in races in 71 they had to produce at least 200 bikes equipped with the 5 speed transmission to be an official class. Anyone out there know about this? Any idea of how many of the 5 speeds were built in 1971? How much more it may be worth? Any responses appreciated!

GrandPaulZ · 05-21-2009, 05:24 PM

As far as I know, 72 was the first year for the 5-speed box AS AN OPTION, standard in 73 on the 750.

Your engine serial number will verify the actual build date.

delrazor · 05-21-2009, 06:38 PM

I have one of these. searching forums and google has led me to believe that 49% of Triumph people don't accept they exist, 49% say they are **** because the early factory 5-speeds were rubbish, and 2% own one and aren't sure whether they are cool and rare or a bit of a glitch in Meridens history.
It will be worth more when you and I keep telling people they are rare (for maybe 10 years).

T120RV ********GE both frame and engine = June 71

Of course, i am a newbie and am happy to be told the full story once and for all.

derek

McBike · 05-21-2009, 09:02 PM

Didn't Quaif offer a 5 speed gear cluster that slipped right into the stock 4 speed housing? If so the bike might have an after market 5 speed.

Mike

stewdog68 · 05-21-2009, 09:33 PM

anything is possible on these older bikes

t100rc · 05-22-2009, 01:59 AM

My best friend had a '71 5 speed 15 years ago when we lived together in NC ... it lived in our shed for a while ...

Everything I have ever accepted as fact regarding these is that they do exist, were built in the factory, and are fairly rare.

Rare does NOT necessarily mean valuable ...

valiantbultaco · 05-22-2009, 04:11 AM

Did you see this guys web page??

http://www.ajfox.com/motorcycles/197...lle_T120RV.htm

Boys,....dont restore your t120RV's and you'll get $23,000 - $25,000 hehehehehhe.

I reckon my 71 t120R must be worth at least $17,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PM me for enquiries!!! offers around $16, 500.00

epynt1050 · 05-22-2009, 06:35 AM

Suffix RV on the engine number signifies a factory fitted optional 5 speed box. This was available from model year 1972 and became standard from model yr 1973. Source "Bonnie- the development history" - J R Nelson. However manufacture of Model yr 1972 commenced Aug/Sept 1971 with HG30870. So everyone could be right!

I note with interest the link given by Valiantbultaco as to 200+ 5-speed bikes being built June 1971 and feel this to be very possible as I know of other cases where short runs of 200+ bike were made for AMA racing, the BSA A-70 being one example.

GrandPaulZ · 05-22-2009, 10:32 AM

Manufacture date of late 1971 for model year 1972 does not mean the bikes produced were 1971 models, or titled as 1971 bikes.

The FIM/AMA homologation rules of 200 bikes produced to a spec, for sale to "the general public" is a common occurance, just as the first 750 models were produced in 1970 but are rare becasue they skipped a year before beng included in the general sale lineup.

If you have a 5-speed that is stamped with a "V", and titled as a '71, you have a somewhat rare bike.

jimmy bush · 05-22-2009, 01:17 PM

I've been trying to get in contact with the original owner of the 71 T120 I bought from him in 72. I'm nearly certain it was a 5 speed. He always had exotic, rare, hard to get vehicles and a 5 speed Triumph that few others could get would have been right up his alley. Maybe that's why he sold it to me in 72. If everyone could get one, what would be the point?