By the release of the new 1966 Triumph Bonneville T120 650, the factory focused on increased power, improved reliability, and less vibration from the vertical twin powerplant. But by this year bikes from Japan were making their mark and stirring up the competition including sales.

To keep pace and squeeze out more ponies, the factory opted for a lightened crankshaft by shedding 2 ½-lbs. from the flywheel. A roller bearing replaced the previous old-style ball-race on the drive side. A big improvement was a switch for ’66 to 12-volt electrics. The formerly-optional high-performance cams were now standard and compression bumped to 9:1 and yes, you got a longer kick lever to help nudge it into life. Larger Amal carbs helped produced 47-hp for the Bonneville road machine.

Also for ’66, the gas tank took on the new slimmer “teardrop” which soon became the iconic image for Triumphs, the Bonnevilles in particular. In addition to the early two-tone gray and black seat pattern, this Bonnie shows the classic “eye-brow” tank badge design. Appointed in factory Alaskan White with Grenadier Red, its graphics auto “racing stripes” inspired. This ’66 Bonnie shows 0 miles on the restoration clock.