The Pick of the Day is a 1977 Triumph T140V Bonneville 750 Silver jubilee offered by a dealer in Temecula, California. This special-edition British bike was one of 2,000 built (1,000 for the US and 1,000 for the UK) celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign as the Monarch of England.
The original Triumph Bonneville, the T120 began production in 1959 and with development, ran until 1974. The name was derived from the many speed records attempted at the famed Salt Flats in Utah. The T140, the second-generation Bonnie, featured a larger 750 cc engine, up from the T120’s 650 cc parallel-twin. This bike is the T140J, and it features front and back disc brakes, special-edition badging and a special “birth certificate” of build and ownership.
The mid-1970s were a turbulent time in the UK. A nationwide recession reigned and political strife, mixed with a musical and cultural movement could have cast a pale shadow over the significant event in Elizabeth’s still continuing tenure. The punk movement – with the Sex Pistols’ “God Save the Queen” as their anthem – and the worker’s cooperative that was running Triumph since 1973, faced major labor disputes which included a blockade and sit-in.
England was changing, and by 1977 a threatened shut down of Triumph’s Meriden factory, a government bailout and a new round of funding allowed Triumph to continue. Ultimately, the Meriden Works was shut in 1983 and Triumph was sold to businessman John Bloor, who produced continuation bikes, but then shut that operation in 1988.
Bloor would reignite the brand with brand-new designs and models in 2001. Well-received, Triumph Motorcycles LTD. continues to produce and sell motorcycles to this day.
Perhaps Triumph will build a special Jubilee version for the Queen’s upcoming 70th Anniversary? She sure doesn’t want to pass the throne on to her own kids, and at 93, is not showing signs of wavering.
The dealer has not posted an asking price. But states that the bike is original and has just 717 miles on the odometer.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
Nice bice 👍 what is the price?
what is cost of 1977 Triumph t140v
T140J. I have seen examples ranging from 2000.00 US to 10,000.00 US. Condition is everything.
John, You are incorrect about John Bloor producing Triumph Motorcycles after the immediate closing of Meriden Works.When Meriden closed shop, a gentleman named Les Harris continued to produce Triumph motorcycles until 1988. They were built under License of John Bloor. Mr. Harris purchased all of the tooling and drawings with a 10 year option to use the Triumph name and badging. The “Harris Bonneville was produced in Newton Abbot. Hence the difference between the old logo and new logo. Mr. Harris also purchased BSA Small Heath Works and Matchless Motorcycles and continued production of Matchless using a Rotax 500cc power plant.look up “Harris Bonneville” or L.F. Harris. The Harris operation is still in business producing spares for a variety of vintage British Twins. I was the General Manager for L.F. Harris International North America Operations from 1990 to 1998. The US operation was located in Grenada, Mississippi and served spares for the US and Canada market. For more information, contact LF Harris International Ltd., Newton Abbot, Devon. 0114462663393.
Andy: Thanks for the details. Les Harris produced the “continuation” bikes — but Bloor owned the name. You obviously know your Bonnies! By the way: who is John?
Thank You for getting the history straight Andy.
i had a 1952 Triumph 650 T-BIRD , fast and loud , but got beat every time by a 1947 Harley KNUCKLE HEAD ,on accellration!, 0 to 100mph, the T-bird would peg the speedo at exatcly 105mph!
very interested in this bike
When I was on CHIPS I bought one new….$2300.
Hi Larry:
When I was a kid, I loved your show! I did not know you were a biker in “real life.” Thanks very much for reading and commenting.
I have my Silver Jubilee in the garage awaiting some better weather and Covid relief here in the SF Bay area. Bought her with about 850miles on the ticket. I like to ride her not hide her, about 15,000 miles now and she looks and runs great?
Puchased a T140v as a project I need new peashooter exhausts 32 1/2 inches long does anyone know where I can buy them everyone that I’ve seen seem so much shorter 26/27inche max could be that mine were specials as bike is a 1978 ex British Royal Marine escort bike any help appreciated. Regards Gerald.
Puchased a T140v as a project I need new peashooter exhausts 32 1/2 inches long does anyone know where I can buy them everyone that I’ve seen seem so much shorter 26/27inche max could be that mine were specials as bike is a 1978 ex British Royal Marine escort bike any help appreciated. Regards Gerald.