$6,900
Santa Monica, California
Category
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Engine
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Posted Over 1 Month
1964/1978 Triumph 650cc Street Tracker Frame no. T120R DU7866 Engine no. T140E JA11933 During the 1950s, the U.S. Triumph distributors – Johnson Motors in Pasadena and The Triumph Corporation in Baltimore – were often at odds with the British factory. The Americans wanted more and more power and sportier looking bikes, while the British were more concerned with their home market which favored weather protection and reliability. There was also disagreement about the role of racing in the marketing of the firm's products. The Americans saw racing as a sales tool, while the Brits saw it as an expense better spent on product development. By the end of the decade, the Americans prevailed and the still recalcitrant Brits followed. After a Triumph-powered streamliner set records at Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats in 1955 and 1956, the British decided to take advantage of the publicity and introduced the Bonneville in in September 1958. It became the most enduring symbol of the company. Its newness notwithstanding, the Bonneville remained recognisably similar to Edward Turner's first Speed Twin of 1938. Unitary construction of engine and gearbox was already a feature of the 350 and 500 twins though, and this innovation duly appeared on the 650s in 1963. A favourite to the café racer, desert sled and dirt tracker alike, the Bonneville continued in this new form as Triumph's top-of-the-range sports roadster until the early 1980s. The bike offered here takes that premise to a whole new level. A nicely presented and very well built machine, the bike was pieced together by a very capable enthusiast over a few years, some years ago. Starting with a perfectly straight 1964 Bonneville frame, an engine of August 1978 vintage was fully rebuilt and installed. It was treated to new bearings, seals, gaskets, rings, valves, etc. It is responsive and powerful, starts easily and idles well. Engineered to shift on the traditional right hand side, it shifts smoothly through a good clutch. The parts to transfer it back to left hand shift accompany the bike. The bike was then treated to upgraded, restored, and custom cycle parts. Up front are custom forks straddling the 19” wheel, with an 18” at the rear, both with good tires. Brakes, suspension and all electrical work perfectly. A small front headlight adds to the custom street tracker feel of the bike, together with the perfect condition large tank and good quality street tracker seat and tail section. And the underslung TT style pipes sound fantastic! The bike starts easily and runs well. It handles really well in the tracker/desert sled set up, is light and nimble and a fantastic machine through city traffic and on the twisty country lanes. Though there is no speedo, there are only a few miles on the bike since its build and is still in excellent condition throughout And is an absolute blast to ride.