Trojan Classic Triumph Bonneville T120
Minas was “never really into bikes” but with some help from Trojan Classic Motorcycles managed to put together this sweet rigid Triumph chop…
![Trojan Classic Triumph Bonneville](http://i0.wp.com/www.ozbike.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Trojan-Classic-Triumph-Bonneville-ozbike_1.jpg?fit=990%2C682&ssl=1)
IT’S BASED on a 1968 Triumph Bonneville T120 with a 650 motor. I bought it from Trojan Cycles at Belfield. I went in and was never really into bikes. I always thought they were out of my reach. I met Pedro and he showed me this. It was practically a rolling chassis. Then I started buying parts.
I got the tank and was trying to get a guard to get the shape I really wanted. I did some research on the internet. I started with a frame; powdercoated that. Got the motor done twice due to a dodgy mechanic.
![Trojan Classic Triumph Bonneville 8](http://i0.wp.com/www.ozbike.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Trojan-Classic-Triumph-Bonneville-ozbike_8.jpg?resize=708%2C456&ssl=1)
It took me about a year to complete. Oil tank was from underneath the kitchen sink. It was a fire extinguisher! But most of the stuff was from Trojan Cycles.
I live in the Belfield area and I just drove past and saw the shop and went in for a look. Then I spent the whole year in the garage. I was a mechanic when I left school; had the trade. Then I got into the building industry. I’ve always loved mechanical stuff.
Swaverly Smash in Canterbury Road, Belmore, painted the bike. The pinstripe was decided over a couple of beers. We used to get together there on Fridays. Originally it was gonna be in the middle but then it went on the side.
![Trojan Classic Triumph Bonneville 7](http://i0.wp.com/www.ozbike.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Trojan-Classic-Triumph-Bonneville-ozbike_7.jpg?resize=708%2C465&ssl=1)
![Trojan Classic Triumph Bonneville 6](http://i0.wp.com/www.ozbike.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Trojan-Classic-Triumph-Bonneville-ozbike_6.jpg?resize=708%2C668&ssl=1)
![Trojan Classic Triumph Bonneville 5](http://i0.wp.com/www.ozbike.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Trojan-Classic-Triumph-Bonneville-ozbike_5.jpg?resize=708%2C492&ssl=1)
The forks are KT750 Honda. I went to the wreckers and basically they gave me that brake, and I think it looks good. I ended up changing the rear rim because I had a normal chrome one, but I got this off a bloke at French’s Forest. That wheel on there was orange. I had my neighbour mask all the spokes because I didn’t wanna spend the money to get it rebuilt after paint. I was gonna do the front rim black too but I changed my mind.
It’s a lot of fun. When I first built the motor I wanted to see what was gonna shake off so I rode to Picton. I got on the turnoff and stopped. My mate with a Harley was next to me, and he asked if everything was alright. I said, “Yeah, yeah. It’s cool.” I put it in gear and went to take off, and it was revving, and I thought, “Aww, the clutch has gone,” and the chain flew off! The number plate came off. Lucky I didn’t lose anything. But it was there that I started ironing out all the little problems.
![Trojan Classic Triumph Bonneville 4](http://i0.wp.com/www.ozbike.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Trojan-Classic-Triumph-Bonneville-ozbike_4.jpg?resize=708%2C479&ssl=1)
![Trojan Classic Triumph Bonneville 3](http://i0.wp.com/www.ozbike.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Trojan-Classic-Triumph-Bonneville-ozbike_3.jpg?resize=708%2C453&ssl=1)
I’m getting used to the rigid. The seat—that’s a Kansas Charley seat—is really comfortable. People look at it and say, “How do you sit on that?” But it’s actually really comfortable.
I did most of the running around and the designing. But most of the work was done by Trojan Cycles. Matt did the wiring, and I also need to thank him for helping with my breakdowns! For my next bike it’s a toss-up between another Trumpy chop or a Sportster in a similar style—with electronic start! Ha ha!”
![Trojan Classic Triumph Bonneville 2](http://i0.wp.com/www.ozbike.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Trojan-Classic-Triumph-Bonneville-ozbike_2.jpg?resize=708%2C585&ssl=1)
words by Minas, pics by Wasko