4. Hugh's TI20 Bonneville
If I've ridden a lot ofVelocettes, I've probably ridden as many - if not more - Triumphs, many of them Bonnevilles, and a lot of them restored by the same chap, one Hugh Brown, of Hertfordshire, who really does know how to put a Bonneville together. Witness the 12omphplus his 'street sleeper' (it looks standard) T120recorded at Elvington a bit ago.
From Hugh, I've ridden 1964, 1966 (two number), 1967 (two of), 1969,1970,plus more than one TT and probably others I've forgotten. The best of the lot was Hugh's own 1970T120,his own pet project. Hugh's 'customer' 650s are great anyway, but this one was something else.
At the time, I was running a brand-newT100 Bonnie, and truth be told this ageing stager bettered the new bike in every department - even brakes. It would have wiped the floor with the by-comparison devoid of excitement, ponderous, sluggish modern incarnation.
Old Bonnevilles - nay, old Triumph twins - are all great fun to ride, and this particular example just took the enjoyment factor up a notch or two. Ever since, I've vowed that one day I'll get Hugh to build me my own Bonneville, just as I'd like; though like anything that's as good as these, they don't come cheap, and they don't come quick either. But for sheer riding pleasure, there's little that beats it.
It's oft-written that the 19681970Bonneville is the best of all, and, in many ways, it's difficult to disagree. The twin leading shoe front brake is a marked improvement on what went before, while the 1971oil-inframe development just doesn't look at all graceful, plus it's a bit tall too. However, later 1970s T14os shouldn't be discounted; I think they're lovely to ride.
I'm also fortunate to have ridden the first Bonneville, the 'tangerine dream; which was, I must confess, an exhilarating experience. Basically, one had engine performance capable of keeping up with modern traffic; but as I found out when the traffic all stopped quick from 70mph, 1959brakes are not best suited for modern conditions in an emergency ...
Hugh's 1970,I think, would've pulled up pretty well, while handling and suspension wise it was in a different league too. But of course so it should be; the 1970version is probably the ultimate development of that 1959original.
Yet again, last year I came close to acquiring a late 1960s Bonnie and I know that, at some point, I will. Now, if I get saving I can perhaps persuade Hugh to build me my dream machine...