[Emlupi]

Good morning,
I have a lead on what appears to be a’67 TT Special. It is one of these “apocryphal tales” that may be true in this case. The husband was the original owner and bought this bike new. It has been sitting in the garage for several decades. He has passed away and his widow wants it out of the garage. She has the original title for the bike dated Feb. 1968. The title has it listed as a “Bonneville TT” and the engine/frame number is correct for 1967. I have not seen it yet, I will probably go there this weekend to have a look.
I know the general spec of the bike. I am aware that the engine and frame numbers should have “T120 TT” prefix, mudguards should be aluminum, it should have twin 1-3/16” carburetors.
Is there anything specific that I should look for when I go to see this? I am not sure how to identify the Amal carburetors to see if they are correct. I have a bunch of photos to use as reference but if any of the knowledgeable individuals here can lend a few tips I would appreciate that.
I will certainly take plenty of photos when I go and will post them here for your perusal. Thanks.

 

[StuartMac]

Hi,

Triumph T120C, T120TT and Trophy Specials

The history of the 1960s US-only Competition Triumph Motorcycles

www.triumph-t120c-tt-special.com

Hth.

Regards,

 

[Emlupi]

StuartMac,
Thanks very much. That’s very helpful.

 

[Mick Barratt]

Good morning,
I have a lead on what appears to be a’67 TT Special. It is one of these “apocryphal tales” that may be true in this case. The husband was the original owner and bought this bike new. It has been sitting in the garage for several decades. He has passed away and his widow wants it out of the garage. She has the original title for the bike dated Feb. 1968. The title has it listed as a “Bonneville TT” and the engine/frame number is correct for 1967. I have not seen it yet, I will probably go there this weekend to have a look.
I know the general spec of the bike. I am aware that the engine and frame numbers should have “T120 TT” prefix, mudguards should be aluminum, it should have twin 1-3/16” carburetors.
Is there anything specific that I should look for when I go to see this? I am not sure how to identify the Amal carburetors to see if they are correct. I have a bunch of photos to use as reference but if any of the knowledgeable individuals here can lend a few tips I would appreciate that.
I will certainly take plenty of photos when I go and will post them here for your perusal. Thanks.

If the carburetters are original, they will be AMAL Monoblocs, with 389/95 stamped on the top of one side of the flanges and a date code of month/year of manufacture on the other side of the flanges.
It is very unlikely that anyone would "fake" these numbers, but the carbs were shared by the T120R (not the standard T120), though it should be pretty obvious if the rest of the bike is a TT.
Good luck in looking!

 

[The Bonneville Shop]

Good morning,
I have a lead on what appears to be a’67 TT Special. It is one of these “apocryphal tales” that may be true in this case. The husband was the original owner and bought this bike new. It has been sitting in the garage for several decades. He has passed away and his widow wants it out of the garage. She has the original title for the bike dated Feb. 1968. The title has it listed as a “Bonneville TT” and the engine/frame number is correct for 1967. I have not seen it yet, I will probably go there this weekend to have a look.
I know the general spec of the bike. I am aware that the engine and frame numbers should have “T120 TT” prefix, mudguards should be aluminum, it should have twin 1-3/16” carburetors.
Is there anything specific that I should look for when I go to see this? I am not sure how to identify the Amal carburetors to see if they are correct. I have a bunch of photos to use as reference but if any of the knowledgeable individuals here can lend a few tips I would appreciate that.
I will certainly take plenty of photos when I go and will post them here for your perusal. Thanks.

Hi Emlupi, the carburetors should be the 389/95 Monoblocs, if they are the originals. The numbers will appear on the carburetor mounting flange to the manifold. Some claim that after engine number DU59320, Triumph specified 930 Concentrics, but it is not known if any of the new carbs were fitted to TTs. Also, should have the tiny 'Bonneville 120' decal on the left side cover, not the larger 'Bonneville TT Special' transfer, which was never actually applied to the TT models, as it was intended for the 1968 model year, but we know the TTs were discontinued after the 1967 model year. Mudguards were actually stainless steel on the 1967 models, the only year stainless were specified. Look for a black seat on a '67 T120TT. Good luck, hope it's a Gennie!
-Dave

 

[twinsisin]

FWIW here's a picture of my first new bike. A 1966 T120C TT Special. The light kit came in a separate box..

 

[Emlupi]

Thanks all. The real question is, if this thing is the real deal, what do I do with it? Do I want to dive down the rabbit hole of trying to restore it? At the very least I will be able to try and find the right person to give it another life.
I guess it will depend upon what condition the bike is in. If I can get it running I will try to ride it as a survivor the same as my ‘72 CB 750.
If it requires a full restoration then I will need to take a moment to research exactly what it is I am getting myself into. I would hate to have this thing sit in boxes for years if I bit off more than I could chew.

 

[twinsisin]

I will always love my first, but honestly the memory of her is far more positive than her reality at the time.
Not the easiest to start, bolts vibrating off, lousy brakes, and always the possibility of not getting home.
Sure pi$$ed off a lot of Sportster riders though.

If I still had her as she is in the picture she's be in my living room and I'd be riding my Street Twin.

 

[Mick Barratt]

Thanks all. The real question is, if this thing is the real deal, what do I do with it? Do I want to dive down the rabbit hole of trying to restore it? At the very least I will be able to try and find the right person to give it another life.
I guess it will depend upon what condition the bike is in. If I can get it running I will try to ride it as a survivor the same as my ‘72 CB 750.
If it requires a full restoration then I will need to take a moment to research exactly what it is I am getting myself into. I would hate to have this thing sit in boxes for years if I bit off more than I could chew.

View attachment 791764

If you are getting a bike that looks as nice after cleaning as your Honda, it would be something of a miracle. Having said that, getting to just tidy and rideable is not a bad goal, original is only original once. At least with a very desirable model like the TT, you stand a chance of getting back what you would spend on a restoration - all depends on what floats your boat. Do let us know anyway!

 

[Emlupi]

I sure wouldn’t mind owning something as relatively rare as a TT special. Let me not get the cart before the horse, though. First step is go see what is hiding in that garage.
Just as a teaser, here’s a peek at what is written on the title from’68.

 

[The Bonneville Shop]

I sure wouldn’t mind owning something as relatively rare as a TT special. Let me not get the cart before the horse, though. First step is go see what is hiding in that garage.
Just as a teaser, here’s a peek at what is written on the title from’68. View attachment 791769

Yes, very desirable and somewhat rare. They made about 1100 TTs for the 1967 model year, but only 1200 of them have survived, according to David Gaylin. An easily cloned model.
-Dave

 

[StuartMac]

They made about 1100 TTs for the 1967 model year, but only 1200 of them have survived

 

[Emlupi]

They made about 1100 TTs for the 1967 model year, but only 1200 of them have survived, according to David Gaylin. An easily cloned model.
-Dave

Exactly, this is why I am not going to rush headlong into anything. I will try to do my homework on this and make the right decision.
I spoke to the woman and I am going to take a look tomorrow. I will post up some pictures of what I find.

 

[rambo]

Make her a good offer because as you know, a UK dealer would possibly pay £6000 for it like it is. Retail over here is often around £14000 to £17000

 

[Snakeoil]

FWIW here's a picture of my first new bike. A 1966 T120C TT Special. The light kit came in a separate box..

View attachment 791763

Interesting angle for the shifter. Assume that is where it was from shipping.

I see that it had a taillight. So, just the headlight was an accessory? Very neat to have owned one new. Had a boss that raced SCCA as a kid. Saved up his money and bought a new Cobra when Shelby first started selling them. Still kicks himself for having sold it.

Hope the TT you found is the real deal, Emlupi. Betcha that'll be a bike you'll never sell.

 

[twinsisin]

Interesting angle for the shifter. Assume that is where it was from shipping.

I see that it had a taillight. So, just the headlight was an accessory? Very neat to have owned one new. Had a boss that raced SCCA as a kid. Saved up his money and bought a new Cobra when Shelby first started selling them. Still kicks himself for having sold it.

Hope the TT you found is the real deal, Emlupi. Betcha that'll be a bike you'll never sell.

Was headed to a scrambles and moved the shifter. Was easier for me to shift.

Both lights were in the lighting kit that came in a box.
I installed the tail light but hadn't gotten to the headlight and ears yet.

Had a buddy in high school who bought the first Shelby 427 Cobra around and the last I heard he still had it but that was decades ago.

 

[Slippery Sam]

FWIW here's a picture of my first new bike. A 1966 T120C TT Special. The light kit came in a separate box..

View attachment 791763

That looks like a West Coast 1965? Did it come with the tank rack fitted? I have a '65 T120C TT awaiting restoration and was unsure whether to fit the tank rack or not. Some people say that the racks were not fitted to the TT Specials, or were removed by the dealer prior to sale. It would be interesting to know if your's had it from new.

 

[twinsisin]

That looks like a West Coast 1965? Did it come with the tank rack fitted? I have a '65 T120C TT awaiting restoration and was unsure whether to fit the tank rack or not. Some people say that the racks were not fitted to the TT Specials, or were removed by the dealer prior to sale. It would be interesting to know if your's had it from new.

With the exception of repositioning the shift lever and installing the tail light that picture is EXACTLY as it came out of the crate in PA in 1966 when I bought it. The dealer never touched it.

I've heard unsubstantiated chatter over the years that Triumph was in a hurry to build enough bikes to qualify the TT Specials for the AMA season so some may have come with incorrect tanks and other minor hurry up compromises by Triumph.

 

[Emlupi]

So, I went to check out the bike and the good news is that it certainly seems to be the real deal to me. Engine and frame numbers are matching and correct and look to be untampered with. Most of the bike is there.

Not so great news is that the condition is kinda rough. Most definitely in need of a total restoration to make it right again.

 

[Emlupi]

First of all is the hideous paint job and garish stickers.

The seat is obviously not correct

The engine and bottom of the frame is covered in oil and the bike has marked its territory in the garage