1966 Triumph Bonneville TT Special, w/factory records. Only 1075 mls since 1971

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, riumph's 650 twins were barred from AMA Class C racing, hich 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, ut they had to have a motocross-like jump. Some courses were simple ovals with a jump, hile others had left and right turns like a road course. In this form of racing, he 650 Triumphs were allowed, nd they dominated.
Originally conceived for the 1963 model year, y west coast distributor Bill Johnson of Johnson Motors, he TT was a high performance, actory race bike, tripped down and performance tuned to fill the niche markets of off-road racing.
Beginning with and improving upon their street legal Bonneville, he Triumph factory racer came with higher compression pistons, otter camshafts and a high output ignition system, o produce 54hp at 6,500 rpm. Closer ratio gears were installed in the 4 speed gearbox, hain drive sprocket ratios were altered, nd larger diameter exhaust pipes were tucked under the frame, ithout mufflers. Aluminum, r more durable stainless steel fenders replaced the street items, ogether with the 2 ½ gallon slim gas tank. Lights, ork 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, ome 30 pounds lighter than the stock configuration.
The TT Special offered here, f 1965 vintage, as been enjoyed by just three owners from new. According to the last owner, t started life as a Johnson Motors sponsored racer. There are rumours about who rode it, ut they are just that. After retiring from racing, he bike returned to JM in 1971 to be rebuilt, nd because of the ease of selling road bikes over racers, small Lucas head and tail lights and speedo were added. The bike was sold to a local Southern California collector, ho put only 400 or so miles on it before displaying it in his office. In 2005 he sold the bike to the most recent owne, ho, gain used it very sparingly, overing 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, ut were stamped T120C. I ran the engine/frame number through the Vintage Motorcycle Club, f Staffs, K, he holders of the factory records, ho confirmed that this bike is recorded in Despatch book number 75 and was despatched to Johnson Motors, asadena, alifornia, SA on 23 November 1965, onfirming 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, specially 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, ia an excellent clutch with no slip. Brakes, uspension all work perfectly as does the electrical system with fully operational lights. The Bike is currently running the later Concentric Carbs, ut is accompanied by the original Monoblocs, ith original air filters.
With the rarity of these TTs and the number of chopped up and lost to time examples, hese represent a fantastic investment, s illustrated in the recent results at auctions in Las Vegas, here they were selling for $24k+. So, his 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.