History
This Australian delivered bike, originally sold in Bundaberg Qld, is from the first production year of the iconic Bonneville T120. It is the only year which the Bonneville wore the famous Triumph "nacelle". Only around 1880 were made that year and only about 88 came to Australia. Resent research has found that approximately 200 have survived to present day.
I bought it in 2008 from an older gentleman in failing health that was selling all his bikes. The bike had been restored poorly and then had sat in the garage under his house for some time. The chrome had deteriorated and the paint wasn't correct. It had a number of wrong parts and fasteners as well as having major engine and transmission issues. I restored the bike and rode it at two rallies in 2009 for the 50th anniversary of the Bonneville. I then set about to take it to the next level and spent a good deal of time researching every specification of the 59 T120 including being lucky enough to obtain a copy of the original Triumph specs from a former factory employee. I then tweaked the bike and now believe it is one of the more correct early Bonnies around.
The bike has been to numerous events and is a reliable bike to ride. It does have it's quirks but that is because they had the same issues when they were new and that is why most examples of this model have later components and modifications these days.
I also have 3 other pre-unit T120s that are part way thru being restored. A US East coast (TriCor) 1959 model, a first batch US 1960 model and a US 1961 T120R model.
