TRUE TO FORM

Legend has it that the 1971 oil-in-frame Bonnie with conical hub brakes is radically different to its immediate predecessor from 1970. And you’d imagine the riding experience on a single-carb TR6 to be quite different to a twin-carb T120. Only a year separates these two machines and, in theory, they differ vastly in their design and specifications. So how does this translate in practice?

I found myself in the interesting position of working on and riding both types of 650 twin within days of each other. This T120R has been seen before in RC, a few years back when I recommissioned it. The owner then sold it to my brother-in-law. If I’d known it was going to change hands for such a reasonable sum, then it may well have just stayed here!

Both Triumphs came to me needing some attention, but both were working and rideable… or they could move under their own power, at any rate. The TR6P looked great and ran quite well when I took my ‘before’ ride. However, a very juddery front brake combined with a rather old, hard and rather shiny Roadrunner Universal on the front wheel meant it was anything but confidence inspiring. In fact it was really rather scary on the autumn corners.

Basic maintenance, servicing and minor repairs were carried out on both 650s as required. The TR6P’s front wheel went to SRM to have the brake drum skimmed and new linings put on the shoes. I had checked