Triumphrat

Hello to all,

I am the proud new owner of a 1970 Bonny T120R. When I say new I mean I am just learning everything there is to know about not only what I bought but everything "Triumph" in general. I have envied the company's product for years and this bike some what fell into my lap so the following questions will range from "this guy is no brain surgeon" to "let me give this some thought." Any advise would be most welcomed.
1. What is special about the "R" for the motor?
2. What is the problem history of my bike?
3. What is the best method for rebuilding my bike?

I thought I would throw these quickies out and later work on being more specific. Thank you for your attention.

[ This message was edited by: Four82nd on 2004-10-22 16:23 ]

jimballard

Congratulations Four82nd.

You've got one of the best (if not the best) year of the classic Triumphs! The "R" basically means "road" model, as the "C" model was for off-road/"competition" use. They are pretty reliable bikes, but remember that you're dealing with a 35 year old bike. For advice and rebuilding, you should get in touch with some of the folks that are out there in the business, along with the British clubs; and begin by getting a factory workshop manual and parts book. Reproductions of these books are available and they are invaluable. Buy replacement parts from only the most reputable suppliers as there is some real junk out there, but that stuff is beginning to fade out, luckily. If the bike is in decent shape, remember that preservation is preferable to restoration...they're only original once!!

Good Luck with it: Jim

__________________
Jim Ballard

The older I get, the faster I was....until lately!! (Speed IS the fountain of youth)!

ooobaby

Four82nd: Congrats, according to many you are the proud owner of the BEST year of the Meridan Triumphs! 1969-1970 have the twin leading shoe front brake with the best cable routing for the most efficient brake. These brakes were actually better than many of the early front disc brakes back then. Jim is correct about the "R" in the model number. All 1970 Bonneville's were dual carb 650cc twins except for just over two hundred which were designated T120RT which were 750cc dual carb Bonnies. Triumph had to sell a minimum of two hundred to qualify for racing that year. The "weaknesses" were probably the Lucas electrical systems. Without permanently modifying your bike you can put in a Boyer ignition and a Tympanium which will greatly improve your bikes starting and overall reliability. Keep the oil changed with premium oil and keep the valves and drive chain tension adjusted. If you are going to do any major engine work make sure you know what you're doing, because if yours is an original numbers matching bike and you damage the block and have to replace it it will no longer be a matching numbers bike and the value will plummet. These bike vibrate A LOT so frequently check all bolts for tightness or parts will mysteriously disappear during a ride (locktite is your friend!). Jim is right again... get a workshop and a parts manual you'll be glad you did! Deal only with reputable suppliers (stay away from the outfit in Chicago) and buy the best parts you can find. If you're going to ride the bike much (they're a blast and people will constantly come up to you wanting to talk about the bike) I'd recommend you put turn signals on it for safety! It can be relatively easily done without permanently altering the bike (again as Jim said "they're only original once") and if it keeps you and the bike in one piece it's well worth it. A lot of people would kill for that bike! ENJOY! :-D :-D :-D

[ This message was edited by: ooobaby on 2004-10-23 16:22 ]

Well I can't thank you folks enough for the awesome responses. I am looking forward to rebuilding my bike. The condition of the bike is this. As you would imagine, the medium blue paint is faded, and the engine is sweeting some oil but I believe that you could put some gas in it and it would start. I just don't want to take the chance of ruining anything so I plan to tear it completely down, catalog and photograph everything and start from scratch.

1. Who can I talk to in regards to finding out the color name?
2. Is there someone I can call for VIN # info?

Thanks again and I plan on hanging around this site and milk you folks for everything you know :wink:

[ This message was edited by: Four82nd on 2004-10-22 22:58 ]

ooobaby

Four82nd: I hate to pop your bubble, but the only color for Bonneville's in 1970 (both US and UK models) was Astral Red tank and fenders with silver scallops on the tank and silver stripes on the fenders trimmed with gold pin stripes. If your bike is actually original it's not a 1970 model or it's not a Bonneville. If it is a 1970 Bonnie then it's been repainted at some point. The possibilities are endless, such as the motor and frame not matching, or the dual carb head being switched for a single carb head. The front motor mount on the 1970 Bonnie bolted to the frame, where as previous years had the lug for the front mount welded to the frame. Does your bike have two carbs or one? Does your bike have an oil tank on the right side or is it an "oil in frame model" which started in 1971? Does the leading edge of the right side of the front brake have no vent or a vent with a wire mesh screen on it or a scoop with no mesh on it? Is the tank badge the "parcel grid" "eyebrow" or "spear" design? Does the seat hinge on the right or the left? Do the front forks have gators on them or just dust caps? The list goes on, but this might give you a place to start. I hope it's a matching numbers 1970 Bonnie that has just been repainted. Best of luck!

Yes, oh yes. This is the reason that I came to this site. Thank you. I have looked up the numbers and it was build in May of model year Aug 1969-July 1970. The numbers match and both the frame and the engine have an "R" after the T120. I must admit I had to leave my beauty to return to Iraq for the rest of my deployment and the questions that you asked me are just what I was looking for. I will have my wife take some photos and mail them to me and compare notes. I was thinking the same thing when I was looking at models on the Internet about the paint scheme. I can't thank you enough for your input and please keep it coming. Honestly, I am not even sure if it's a Bonnie but every time I looked up the numbers on the frame it came up 1970 Bonneville T120R. could the "R" have anything to do with the paint color? I do remember there are two carbs and an oil tank on the right, and the seat opens from right to left. :-D :-D

[ This message was edited by: Four82nd on 2004-10-23 03:46 ]

ooobaby

Dave: I got your e-mail and you're welcome! It sounds like you probably have a 1970 Bonnie that has been repainted. All 1970 Bonnies were designated T120R and they only came in Astral Red with Silver trim. Prior to 1970 Triumph frames were a single downtube in front which then split into two tubes under the motor. A positive giveaway for whether it is a 1970 Triumph 650 (providing it hasn't been modified) is the front engine mount. It's on the frame downtube about even with the top of the engine block. Prior to 1970 the mount was a u-shaped lug welded to the frame with one mounting bolt through the block. In 1970 this was changed to two small triangular plates, one on either side of the frame downtube. The plates bolted on to the frame via two bolts and the third bolt bolted to the engine mount. In 1971 Triumph went to the "oil in frame" design which does not have an oil tank on the right side under the seat. The "oil in frame" models beginning in 1971 through 1975 had two downtubes on the frame in front and the engine was mounted via a welded on lug on each frame downtube. I suck at computer stuff and I don't have a scanner, but if you want to send me a mailing address I'll be glad to mail you some info and pictures. The paint on my Bonnie is pretty faded, but I'll try to get you some stock photos too which show the color Astral Red well. Thank you and those with you for being on the sharp end in Iraq! Please be as safe as you can. Take care! Jeff

[ This message was edited by: ooobaby on 2004-10-23 09:47 ]

Thanks for the reply. I have already ordered some manuals and disks on the bike and that will keep my mouth watering until I get back. The question that I have is why would some one take the time and trouble to remove all the pieces to be painted, take off all the attachments and paint it from that beautiful combo to the toilet water blue that it is now :???: :???:

Also, did your Bonnie have the gear shifter on the right hand side and the rear brake on the left? Once I get photos of it to me I will definitely check out the other items that you mentioned. Thanks again. Dave :-D

ooobaby

Dave: Yes all Triumph foot controls prior to I think 1975 were right hand shift and left hand rear brake. Jeff The book: TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE and TR6 by Timothy Remus has some great pictures of 1970 Bonnevilles on pages 90,98 and 99 along with excellent text on the bikes covered. Hope this helps! Take care.

[ This message was edited by: ooobaby on 2004-10-23 16:37 ]

You seem to be quite the wealth of knowledge and don't think I am not writing all this down. You help is much appreciated. Thanks again.Dave :-D