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• Auction House:
  Donington Auctions
• Sale Name:
  Collectors' Motorcycles, Cars & Horse Drawn Carriages - Featuring the Private Museum of Racing Driver Bryan Thomson
• Sale Date:
  20 Jun 2021 ~ 2pm (AEST)
• Lot #:
  13
• Lot Description:
  1982 TRIUMPH T140E BONNEVILLE
  Extremely original Australian delivered example featured in two Triumph motorcycle books This motorcycle is sold unregistered.
• Notes:
  In 1974, following the announcement of the planned closure of Triumphs Meriden plant and the end of the Bonneville, the workers occupied and blockaded the factory. The siege lasted 18 months and ultimately saw Meriden emerge as a Workers Cooperative. After gaining government assistance in March 1975 the Meriden Cooperative bought the factory and rights to produce the Bonneville and by 1976, with NVT no longer building motorcycles, the Meriden Cooperative was the only remnant of the once great British motorcycle industry. The Meriden Bonneville continued with the venerable long stroke (74x82 mm) 744 cc 360-degree parallel twin, but with the US market in mind it was adapted for a left side gearshift. As the rear brake operation had to move to the right a Lockheed 10-inch rear disc brake replaced the conical drum. For 1978 Meriden updated the Bonneville further to meet US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations, standardising a lower 7.9:1 compression ratio and a new cylinder head, now without the trademark splayed inlet ports. The parallel inlet tracts included rubber stub mountings for the Amal Concentric Mark II carburettors. The claimed power for the T140E was 49 horsepower at 7,000rpm. Gradual improvements saw the introduction of Lucas Rita electronic ignition, a three-phase alternator and a negative earth electrical system. The Bonneville won the British Motor Cycle News "Machine of the Year" award in 1979, but the Meriden Co-op was in trouble. Optimistic sales forecasts and the unfavourable currency exchange rate resulted in large stockpiles of unsold T140Es in the United States. The bubble had burst and the Meriden Co-op was now on a gradual downward slide into extinction. During 1980 production was cut, first to 100 motorcycles and eventually only 50 motorcycles a week. Optimistic patriotism still prevailed in the UK and the Bonneville again won MCNs "Machine of the Year" award. The 1982 model range was displayed quite early, in April 1981, and 1982 production began on July 8, 1981. The T140E continued with 19 and 18-inch wire-spoked wheels and a single disc front brake and was basically unchanged from 1981. This Australian delivered matching numbers bike is fitted with an Australian ADR plate dated 11/81 (also the date of manufacture). It was bought new by a Triumph aficionado (plumber by trade) who had a number of Triumphs. He installed some updates; notably Boyer electronic ignition, an oil filtration system, and Hagon shock absorbers. The paint, seat, and all other equipment are factory original. The bike was sold to the second owner in July 1991 and still carries the Victorian registration UL 947. The Veglia odometer reads 23,529 kilometres. Due to its exceptional originality this 1982 T140E Bonneville is featured on Pages 98-99 and 101 in Ian Falloons Triumph Bonneville 60 Years and Page 182-183 of The Complete Book of Triumph Motorcycles. This motorcycle is sold unregistered.
• Estimate:
  A$11,000 - 16,000
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

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• Category:
  Automobiles & Accessories

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.