THE RACE REPLICA WEBB ’ S 2010 AUCTION
twin cylinder engine was launched . The Bonneville as we knew it had come to an end . There was one last gasp before the name disappeared for thirteen years in 1988 . A company in south Devon was given a five-year licence to produce Bonnevilles . They were similar to the classic ‘ Bonnie ’ but sourced many parts including brakes , instruments , and forks from Europe .
American version of the Bonneville
quickly removed from the next model when the factory realised that the headlight could be more easily removed for racing without the fairing . Engines and gearbox went over to unit construction in 1963 . 12- volt electrics appeared on the 1966 model , and in 1968 a twin leading shoe front brake improved stopping power . A disc brake was first fitted to the front in 1973 , the same year that the T120 became a T140 and was given a 735cc motor , which eventually became 744cc . The gear-shift was moved to the left to match European and Japanese models in 1976 , together with the introduction of a rear disc brake . More add-ons and refinements were needed at this time as the Japanese got into their stride and began to dominate the big bike market . Electric starters were fitted to the Bonnevilles from 1981 , and two years later an all-new water-cooled eight-valve OHV
Above : Engine detail of 1969 T120 . Below : Iconic Bonneville tank badge
80 KIWI RIDER