1972 Triumph Bonneville on 2040-motos

Bike comes with a clear Missouri title in the name of the former owner.  He has signed the title...I have just not transferred the title to my name.  As you can see in the photos, the model number and the VIN number of the frame match. They are both T120V CG51210.  On the title, the model number and VIN number is T120RV CG51210.  1972 is the first year 5 speed transmissions were available.  Bonneville's with a 4 speed transmission were T120R bikes, and those bikes with a 5 speed had a "V" at the end of the model number.  This bike has the 5 speed transmission as indicated by the "V" in the model number/VIN number, and it works perfectly.

The bike starts, idles, and runs good.  I've literally had 25 too 30 Triumphs over my life and they have all leaked oil.  If I ever had one that didn't, this is it.  So, I will just say this bike is the most oil tight one I have ever had.  Everything on the bike works....the headlight (both high & low beams), the 3 colored indicator lights in the headlight housing, the turn signals, the brake light (when activated by either the hand or foot), the tail light, the horn, the high beam flash button on the handlebar control, the kill switch button, the tach, and the speedometer.  The needles on both the tach and the speedo move as smoothly as if they were new...something kind of unusual for old Smith/s gauges.

This old bike has great patina.  The gold paint is original and looks its age.  The white  paint and the pinstripes have been touched up over time.  This bike looks to be one that was maintained over the years, but used as a motorcycle was intended to be used as opposed to being kept waxed and stored in a living room (like the two I keep in my living room).  The chrome has patina as well.  You can find prettier bikes, but you won't find many nearly original unrestored survivors that start and run as well as this bike does.  The mufflers that were on the bike when I got it were severely battery acid stained and rusty...the after market cocktail shaker type that were popular in the 70's.  I replaced them with a pair of slightly baffled megaphone mufflers that I removed long ago from a 1969 Trident.  You can see a small tab on the top of the mufflers where the additional support was attached when used on an early Trident.   The chrome on the mufflers is very nice.  The headlight lens, the tail light lens, and 2 of the 4 turn signal lenses are original Lucas lenses and not repops.

Another detail that may not matter to most people, but a detail that I have found to be interesting is the uniqueness of the seat.  Like all 1971 and 1972 OIF 650 Triumphs, the seat hinges are on the right side and the latch is on the left side.  Every 1971 and 1972  650 I have ever seen had the lunchbox type latch on the left side.  This bike has the pull button style latch on the left side.  All other years with the pull button style latch had the latch on the right hand side.  Unfortunately, even though the pull button latch is on the left side, the part of the latch attached to the seat is broken off.  This is not a functional problem though because the seat closes nicely and can't come up while you're riding or sitting on the bike.

So, why am I selling this bike?  I am retired and buy a couple of old Triumphs every year and play with them for a while then sell them to fund the purchase of the next project.  I don't make any money, but over the past 7 years of  retirement I have done what I enjoy and have managed to break even. That's what I call enjoying life on the cheap. 

Buyer is responsible for all shipping costs and must make all shipping arrangements.  Seller will assist in loading the vehicle and will work with the shipper to schedule a mutually acceptable pickup date and time.  Bike needs to be picked up within 2 weeks of auction ending.  If vehicle is not paid for in cash, vehicle will not be released until Cashier's Check has cleared my bank.  $500 deposit via PayPal is due within 24 hours of the auction ending.   U.S buyers and Continental US shipping only.  I hate to take this position, but I've shipped several bikes overseas the past several years and it is generally move of a hassle than I want to deal with at this time.