1972 Triumph Bonneville T120RV 650 - Part 11 - 50-mile shakedown ride

What a fantastic longer 50-mile shakedown ride on the 1972 Triumph Bonneville T120RV OIF (Oil In Frame) 650cc model in the very distinct tiger gold color. Thanks a lot to Geoff for being my wing-man on this ride.
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[@JR-bj3uf]

I was a mechanic at a Triumph dealership many years ago. I saw plenty of T120s. They were never my favorite bike due to their height, square seat and some reliability issues built in by the factory's insistence on using the OIF. I had a customer that called me and said his bike had a very loud metallic noise coming from the head. I told him that it sounded serious and that he needed to bring it over in a truck. A few hours later he showed up at the door. He said that he didn't have a truck and opted to ride it. This was a trip of around 30 miles and was mostly highways riding. He did say that if he was just cruising the sound diminished. After a few days it came up on my list and I tore it down. I found the the crank had broken and the sound we were hearing was the piston smacking the head! I gained a renewed respect for a bike that could keep running and make it to the shop. I pulled a crank out of our used parts stock, freshened up the big in bearings, new gaskets and a set of rings and it was good as new. I chalked it up to a manufacturing flaw.

[@glennturnbull8568]

I’m jealous of those empty roads Mike. Living in the South East of England, it’s either speed cameras or Honda Jazz’s on the way to a garden centre at 35mph. Thanks for the video.

[@martiniv8924]

Same in the midlands 🙈

[@daintree2455]

What a day and that Trumpet preformed beautifully. Thanks Mike.

[@jimh.5286]

"Oh man, I don't want to stop." That's how you know it was a good ride - when you arrive home, but don't want to stop.

[@kendemers8821]

Wonderful job giving this Triumph the new life it deserves! 🙂

[@terrytopliss9506]

Lovely looking and sounding Triumph.👍👍

[@nigelcox7477]

Sounds really tight and raring to go! A credit to your skills and patience Mike - Well Done. 👍✅😎❤️

[@brycehermon5939]

What a fantastic video. A beautiful day, amazing scenery and an awesome bike. The perfect combination. Thanks for sharing Mike.

[@bradsanders6954]

I had the 73 750 Tiger, every ride was a shakedown ride of sorts. Really fun bike, I could always fix it at roadside once all the tools came out. It had been used hard before I got it. The gearing , as you say doesnt have a real freeway gear for real hiway or freeway in the US. The RPM's would shake any number of parts off. Had the Lockheed disc brake on front which really worked well.

[@gregrothemund9526]

Well done Mike, your bikes are always well maintained, you have a keen interest that’s for sure.

[@tadpoles10]

Looking out of my window this morning at blue cloudless skies it's almost like riding along with you guys .. 😂 .. 👍 A few tools in the backpack 😅 with wingman Geoff .. 😎 Thanks for sharing Mike, have a great week atvb .. 😉 .. 🏍

[@brucesherborne408]

I had a 71 and due to higher seat I put a lower profile rear tyre to drop the height down a bit so it felt safer cornering. Koni dial shocks helped the handling as well. I rebuilt the whole bike complete frame up and motor rebuild and converted the 4 to a 5 speed box put a 750 Morgo kit on and 2 into 1. Heaps of torque and sounded awesome. New Amals braided lines. Yours is a really nice original

[@Mattes1750.]

Für mich ist die 71er genau richtig, habe eine 68er gefahren, die war zu klein für mich. Motor ,Aussehen, Sound und alles, keine Probleme, immer Wartung machen und Dinge im Auge behalten. Für mich nach 150000 km immer noch erste Wahl. Dieses Jahr wird der Motor komplett überholt, Kurbelwellen Lager muss neu.

[@maartenholl1176]

Congratulations on your Triumph. Love the colour!

[@kbenham7683]

A beautiful day to ride two classics. The electric start Vincent is WOW. The Triumph is the twin of a friend's Bonneville and is probably an underrated bike. A lot of people never adjusted to the change of look from the 1960's. The couple of times I rode it showed a fast, light, great handling bike, particularly if over six feet tall. And you knew to carry a full toolkit. 👍

[@dgordon130]

This whole thing is just bloody excellent. The bike, the video just huge respect and love for this channel and auteur. :-)

[@donparker1823]

Thanks Mike, I'm vicariously riding through your videos. I don't dare ride yet as my shoulder is not quite healed up from the joint replacement. Great sound, pretty spring scenery too.

[@mevcarter6664]

95f in the springtime?! What on earth are your summer's like. Beautiful scenery and biking roads, dead jealous.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Hee hee, it was unseasonably warm that day I remember. The summers are beautiful though. For the most part it’s lovely weather in the 80s and 90s but we often get a week of temperatures that hit 100°F. Having said that, it’s cloudy, gloomy and wet at the moment, just like back home in the UK :-) Best wishes, Mike.

[@sf940477]

Looking and sounding great Mike ticking over nicely and what a lovely morning you got ...

[@bobstevens9040]

She's a beaut Mike. You've done a great job on her. Starts first prod every time!

[@rwayne3243]

Fantastic ride and scenery, thanks for taking us along, Mike. You've inspired me to do something with my 75' Bonneville.

[@Kevin-cy9cv]

Great bike Mike, and brilliant ride in the sun.

[@kevinschilling1368]

very, very nicely done !

[@speedtriplerider7853]

Really enjoyed that ride mate - thanks for doing and posting.

[@ruahinesrider]

Love that sound of the Vincent Rapide.Triumph sounds good too mean paint job.

[@daintree2455]

Orange!!!

[@ruahinesrider]

@@daintree2455 Orange 🍊 very very nice & no ordinary orange 🍊 either.

[@larrys.3992]

Another winner Mike!

[@jontg429]

Glad to see that things have gone well with all the work you have done. These videos mean even more to me now, just picked up my first ever Triumph on Sunday! A 1969 Tiger 650! Keep the videos coming!

[@mitchburk5112]

The Triumph 4 and 5 speeds have the same 1:1 gear ratio in high gear. The only difference is the gears are spaced a little closer together in the 5 speed so less rpm drop between gear changes, easier to keep in power band. Hence your comment on how quickly it came up through the gears.

[@barryervin8536]

Triumph had 2 different 5 speeds. There was an optional close ratio racing 5 speed that had the same top gear ratio as the 4 speed, which was an option on 71s. The 5 speed used on the 72 and up was the wide ratio box with a higher top gear.

[@JohnMcClain-p9t]

Hi Mitch, I just wore out the rear tire of that 78 Bonnie I bought from you with most of the miles put on in the last two weeks, riding with my niece. I love that bike! John McClain

[@mitchburk5112]

@@JohnMcClain-p9t So glad you are enjoying it!

[@zepelin-on-road]

Works like a swiss clock 😉 ! Good job 👍

[@kdsowen2882]

Both of those bikes sound beautiful Mike . I have very fond-memories of a 72 t120 from back in the-day , same burnt-yellow but the bread-Box-tank , great bike . Dave NZ

[@manfredmatzdorf4728]

Hey, Mike, pretty nice ride again! And yes, really empty roads there…. By the way: I have changed the front sprocket at my T140 from 19 to 20 teeth… works great and reduces revs nicely… best wishes from northern Germany Manfred

[@henrybartlett1986]

Probably the best they made, certainly the one to own.

[@jotritwin4963]

Wonderful bike sorted out.......nice sorrunding too😀👍

[@davidhailstone1519]

Yes ticking away like a time bomb, good luck.

[@adriandeluchin5982]

wtg Mike the T120 is sounding sweet, looks the part also , like you said a perfect bike 4 them back roads enjoy, also a great city bike,

[@ianaristotlethompson4186]

Nice video, great scenery. Bike sounds good. I assume it’s silky smooth as you never mentioned the vibes. All good.

[@philrulon]

Bike sounds great Mike. Swell job. I’m just back from Oregon Springtime riding my K75 from Boise to Roseburg to Charleston to Eugene.

[@danpos1971]

I have a 1971 Triumph Bonneville, 4 speed. I raised the gearing on mine and there was no difference in power. Meaning I felt no loss of power whatsoever. I have rebuilt mine three times in the 38 years I have owned it. Your clutch pull.should not be hard. Unless you are using aftermarket springs or have the springs tightened too far. Great video.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Many thanks for the tips and information. Best wishes, Mike

[@mickgerard6696]

Fanatastic Mike. That first “True” ride on a bike that has been unproven is always a bit nerve racking! The way she performed is a testament too the time and care taken you’ve with the old girl. Top tip. I thought I heard some pinking/detonation on the run up the hill. OIFs, 650 and 750s, running factory timing, 38 degrees BTC, need minimum 97 octane fuel. If not they will detonate on hot days under load. You can back the timing off a bit, just enough to prevent detonation or use an octane booster. I use Amsoil Octane Boost. I mix up in a Five Gallon can with ethanol free 91 and 2 ounces of the booster. Give you roughly 97. That’s the high test I can find here in Wisconsin. Works a treat! Bless you and the family as always. 🌞😎🏍🙏🏻 PS. If you read the factory owners manual from my 1973, it actually states 97 octane minimum. Later on, Triumph backed the compression down a bit too prevent the pinking.

[@54macdog]

Great. The bike is a treat.

[@danielmcneil3004]

Thanks Mike. Very enjoyable and scenic ride. And congrats on making the Triumph purr. Cheers, Dan ✌️🏍🇨🇦

[@robertsinklair6714]

What we have done with the five speed is to add one more tooth to the front sprocket. It gives a little more of a OD feel to the top gear. I dropped one tooth down on my Norton because I liked the quicker jump, I don't do a lot of long rides mostly commute. I am so jealous of the paint it looks soooooosweet. oops looked down and saw Manfred's comment.

[@The.Real.Timmii]

awesome bikes

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks very much Timmi. Glad you enjoyed the video. That was a really fun ride. Best wishes, Mike

[@rodrigoantunes8502]

that bike is awsome

[@gerrypowell2748]

Your keeping on top of the maintenance on the T120.yes on mine a decent tool kit was essential wasn’t until I went Japanese I could dump the tool kit,I put it down to vibration was the major culprit on mine apart from that when it went it was fabulous👌❤️

[@CCitis]

I think I need to get one of these :)

[@richardtucker9827]

I can't believe how empty those lovely roads are! Glad the Bonnie went well. The seat height was a major problem with those early oif bikes 🤪

[@barryervin8536]

Only in the 71s. Halfway through the 71 model year the seat was cut down a bit which helped. Starting with the 72 model the rear frame section was redesigned to lower the seat more and after that the seat height was about the same as on pre oil-in-frame bikes. I had a 72 Bonneville identical to this one (gold color and 5 speed) and the seat height wasn't any problem, no more than any of the other bikes I owned. But when I bought a used rear fender at a swap meet from a 71 model I had to drill new bolt holes to mount it on my 72 because of the difference in the rear frame loop between the 71 and 72. Of course, the legend lives on that all oil-in-frame Triumphs had sky high seats.

[@tmackinator]

I made my own center stand that barely lifts up the wheels, just enough to ensure the bike is steady. Now it is so easy to put on the stand. The original stand can be easily shortened and rewelded to acheive the same result. If you are in Milford Connecticut stop by with either your Triumph or Commando and we can have a matching bikes ride. I'll buy the coffee and fuel fill for the ride! Enjoy the Bonnie, I love mine.

[@rwayne3243]

Milford...... love my Seecamp.

[@nicnak4475]

Re heavy clutch Mike, I put a Venhill clutch cable on mine and it was slightly better, also guy told me the more the clutch springs are tightened, the heavier the clutch, which figures I suppose.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thank you very much for the tips, I really appreciate it! Best wishes, Mike

[@ianbooth4255]

I had a 71. Rode all over the place on it including a trip to the south of Spain and back from London. Utterly reliable and would cruise happily at 80 all day. What's with the girder forks on the Vincent?

[@carlnapp4412]

Oh, it's a 5 speed. Congrats!

[@mldiode]

Beautiful Bike! Is this one another new acquisition? It’s hard to keep up with your rides! ;-) Great roads you have there. Always enjoy your videos! Cheers!

[@nigelbeaumont1109]

I just bought a 1971… phenomenal condition with only 6K on the Clock. Cost me $5K.

[@MoeLarrycurly1]

Sweet 🏍️👍

[@Headwind-1]

a lovely hum on the over run with these unit triumphs and they do not need 5 gears anyway just change sprockets to make it higher geared . . . . .

[@paulhoughtonhhoughton9188]

I find that if I use two of the banjo o rings washers per banjo work a treat. I should say the card type o rings not the fibre washer type. What tyres did you say you had fitted?

[@wdhewson]

Did you retain standard sprocket ratios? On my Brit Bikes I've gone taller by 5 to 10%. In their era, the magazines all emphasized 1/4 mile times, so the imports were geared for acceleration rather than "normal" riding.

[@bananabrooks3836]

Tickover is high for me. Gets a little "tappy" if you roll on too much? Is the ign. timing spot on? So some clutch checking and forks twisted in the yokes(didn't you and Geoff 'laser test' the bikes alignment in Part 1?) to sort out and poss a tooth up on the front to calm the clatterbox. Tighten exhaust clamps when hot is recommended. On the bright side, it didn't break down and nothing vibrated off!

[@nigeh5326]

Didn’t a lot of riders find they or pillions broke the key off with it being in the side panel? Can see why they didn’t put the ignition switch up next to the steering lock as other bikes did

[@chrishaywood4960]

I bought an aftermarket seat from Burtons UK for my 71 Bonnie that is thinner and narrower at the front than that one. I have no trouble double footing and I’m 5’10.

[@splodge5714]

Nice ride, love the looks of that Bonneville. Is it a '71 model with the tall frame? I thought Triumph made a lower frame for '72. Cheers.

[@davidmacgregor5193]

The lower frame arrived mid way through the 1972 season, it lowered the seat height from a lofty 34" to a more manageable 32.5". Mike's T120RV is an early 1972 model with the same "tall boy" frame as used in 1971.

[@splodge5714]

@@davidmacgregor5193 👍

[@4speed3pedals]

Doesn't the Commando have a diaphragm clutch spring while the Triumph uses 3 coil springs? That would explain why the Commando clutch pull is easier.

[@malcky630]

5 speeds?

[@TheMightyGarage]

Yes, it’s a 650 with a five speed gearbox

[@alansivkoff282]

3500 rpm @ 65 mph very similar to commando.

[@mred7030]

15c and wet here in co antrim , same old same old . jealousy is big with this one .

[@TheReverb1]

Hello mate; too slow to get and ride fifth gear. In the future the consequences could be: detonation; pre ignition:; damage the gear; engine not accustomed to pull.

[@Headwind-1]

you are driving on the wrong side dude . . .