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XtraPix: Tribute Triumph - First Look

In praise of the T140 Triumph Bonneville.

October 9, 2007

Ask Keith Martin what the best “old” Triumph is and he doesn’t equivocate: T140. That would be the “forgotten” Bonneville, made from 1973 until the company shut its doors in 1983.

Particulars: 744cc motor, five speed, unit construction, but with roots clear back to Edward Turner’s seminal 1938 500cc Speed Twin. Double-front-downtube frame with massive oil-carrying backbone/rear downtube. Known as OIF models for “oil-in-frame.” Not yet seen as classics compared to the 1959-71 Bonnevilles but gaining a strong following, if for no other reason than they are still affordable. Good early Bonnies have priced themselves out of everyday-rider status, with restored examples now going for $15,000-plus at auctions. Useable T140s can be had for well under $5K.

Martin knows Triumphs. He owns RPM Cycle (www.rpmcycletx.com) in Dallas, a new Triumph shop that also caters to the vintage Britbike crowd, a rare combination. He used to hang his hat at Jack Wilson’s Big D Triumph, the legendary dealership/speed emporium, sadly now defunct. Keith’s appreciation of T140s comes from hard-won experience. He’s successfully roadraced and land-speeded T140s as a rider and builder/tuner.

He also knows how to make T140s beautiful, as evidenced by my 1976 model, RPM’s most recent restoration. Actually, “restoration” is a misnomer. This is a hot-rodded café-custom T140 with virtually no component left untouched. Build-quality is, well…look at the photos.

T140?s unveiling came at last May?s Legend of the Motorcycle Concours, lined up on the Ritz-Carlton?s 18th fairway by the Pacific Ocean. Photos: Allan Rosenberg

Because of their length, BUBs needed struts for support. Drilled sprocket is machine art.

Another Martin racebike, a Featherbed Triton with non-unit Triumph motor.

Nicely done triple-clamps and headlight ears from Vintage Tech, apparently now out of business. Note tang on upper frame braces, used to mount a steering damper.

Closer view of Mabry?s handiwork and multi-adjustable Works Performance Pro piggyback-reservoir shocks.

Multi-function electronic tach is fed input by a magnet mounted on the front wheel.

Primary had to be spaced out to clear dry clutch, so Martin made an aluminum "gasket."

Frame now powdercoated and final assembly underway.

Mabry Racing?s famous 601, the world?s "fastest real motorcycle," at 256.264 mph. It runs a pair of hogged-out air-cooled Triumph Triples. That?s Ed Mabry on the far right.

Getting closer. Build time is not quick as restorations are done between regular shop work on new bikes and RPM?s yearly construction of Bonneville land-speeders. Finished product is worth the wait.

Newby dry clutch means no leaks and primary cover can be Swiss-cheesed. Folding footpegs are passenger pegs from a modern Triumph.

...though David wanted higher handlebars and longer exhaust pipes. Seat is a leather/suede custom from Mr. Ed?s Moto in Oregon.

Mufflers are BUB copies of Contis, but no longer in the catalog.

Dean Baker?s RPM-built T140 served as inspiration for Edwards? build...

Engine is mildly hopped-up, runs cams, has headwork and the newer carbs.

RPM Cycle?s latest success story, an alcohol-nitro-injected T140 partial-streamliner that set a class record 139.822 mph at Bonneville last August. Craig Murray was manning the oars.

Not a bad spot for a bike show, eh? Group ride the next day along winding roads to Alice?s Restaurant was more fun, though.

Brakes front and rear are aluminum Lockheed Racing units; drilled rotors are from Performance Machine.

Keith Martin with an RPM/Mabry project, an old Big D Bonneville bike recently resurrected. It went 113.5 mph for a new class record with Dennis Tackett doing the riding.