$19,900
Santa Monica, California
Category
Standard Motorcycles
Engine
650
Posted Over 1 Month
Only 1075 miles on this rare Triumph racer for the road 1966 Triumph Bonneville TT Special Engine Number: T120C DU27847 Frame Number: T120C DU27847 In the 1950s and 1960s, Triumph's 650 twins were barred from AMA Class C racing, which limited overhead valve engines to 500cc. The regulations kept the big twins off the dirt ovals. There was another form of dirt competition known as TT racing – the name was derived from the British Tourist Trophy races. American TTs were held on dirt courses, but they had to have a motocross-like jump. Some courses were simple ovals with a jump, while others had left and right turns like a road course. In this form of racing, the 650 Triumphs were allowed, and they dominated. Originally conceived for the 1963 model year, by west coast distributor Bill Johnson of Johnson Motors, the TT was a high performance, factory race bike, stripped down and performance tuned to fill the niche markets of off-road racing. Beginning with and improving upon their street legal Bonneville, the Triumph factory racer came with higher compression pistons, hotter camshafts and a high output ignition system, to produce 54hp at 6,500 rpm. Closer ratio gears were installed in the 4 speed gearbox, chain drive sprocket ratios were altered, and larger diameter exhaust pipes were tucked under the frame, without mufflers. Aluminum, or more durable stainless steel fenders replaced the street items, together with the 2 ½ gallon slim gas tank. Lights, fork lock and speedometer were deleted and only a tachometer was fitted. The forks received special springs and internal valving. These stripped down bikes weighed 350 pounds, some 30 pounds lighter than the stock configuration. The TT Special offered here, of 1965 vintage, has been enjoyed by just three owners from new. According to the last owner, it started life as a Johnson Motors sponsored racer. There are rumours about who rode it, but they are just that. After retiring from racing, the bike returned to JM in 1971 to be rebuilt, and because of the ease of selling road bikes over racers, a small Lucas head and tail lights and speedo were added. The bike was sold to a local Southern California collector, who put only 400 or so miles on it before displaying it in his office. In 2005 he sold the bike to the most recent owner , who, again used it very sparingly, covering only 600 miles or so before putting it in dry storage. He assures me that the 1070 miles that were on the odometer were genuine miles from 1971. In 1965 TT Specials were not stamped as such, but were stamped T120C. I ran the engine/frame number through the Vintage Motorcycle Club, of Staffs, UK, the holders of the factory records, who confirmed that this bike is recorded in Despatch book number 75 and was despatched to Johnson Motors, Pasadena, California, USA on 23 November 1965, confirming the bike as a genuine T120TT. A copy of that email accompanies the bike. The bike is fresh from a mechanical overhaul by a local marque expert. The bike starts easily and idles well. It is tremendously powerful with 11:1 compression with a great crackle and bark from the TT pipes, especially when it comes on cam and you feel a burst of thrust. It is intoxicating and addictive. It shifts perfectly through the TT spec ration 4-speed ‘box, via an excellent clutch with no slip. Brakes, suspension all work perfectly as does the electrical system with fully operational lights. The Bike is currently running the later Concentric Carbs, but is accompanied by the original Monoblocs, with original air filters. With the rarity of these TTs and the number of chopped up and lost to time examples, these represent a fantastic investment, as illustrated in the recent results at auctions in Las Vegas, where they were selling for $24k+. So, this bike is an opportunity to own a rare example with the usability of street legality. The bike is offered on a California Certificate of Title.
Trim TT Special w factory records
