- Seller: Mike S (Contact)
- Location: Lindstrom, Minnesota
- Mileage: 3,975 Shown
- Chassis #: DU89617
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 650cc OHV Parallel-Twin
- Transmission: 4-Speed Manual
This 1969 Triumph Bonneville comes to us from Lindstrom, Minnesota, and it’s the kind of honest, time-capsule motorcycle that doesn’t show up very often anymore. According to the seller, this Bonneville was last registered in 1981 and has been stored ever since, making it a long-term dormant example that has avoided decades of constant use, modification, or cosmetic reinvention.
Finished in Olympic Torch Orange and Silver, this Bonneville wears one of the most recognizable factory color combinations associated with late-1960s Triumphs. The bike is described as complete and retains its original 650cc engine paired with a 4-speed transmission. With just 3,975 miles showing, it presents as a low-mileage survivor that has spent the majority of its life off the road.
As expected after more than four decades in storage, the bike is currently not running. The listing does not suggest any attempts have been made to start it, which leaves the next owner with a clean slate to recommission the bike properly and methodically. For many collectors and vintage motorcycle enthusiasts, that’s actually a plus—there’s value in knowing the bike hasn’t been hastily revived or altered just to get it running for sale.
The Triumph Bonneville name carries serious weight in the vintage motorcycle world, and 1969 sits right in the heart of the model’s golden era. These bikes helped define British motorcycling, blending everyday usability with genuine performance and timeless styling. Even in non-running condition, a long-stored Bonneville like this checks a lot of boxes for collectors looking for originality and long-term potential.
This example is being offered as a Barn Finds auction with a reserve set at $1,900, which reflects its project status while still recognizing the desirability of a complete, low-mileage Bonneville with a clean title. The seller notes that it has remained in storage since its last registration, suggesting it hasn’t been bounced between owners or repeatedly resurrected over the years.
Whether the next owner chooses a careful recommissioning to preserve its survivor character or a more comprehensive mechanical refresh, this 1969 Triumph Bonneville represents a straightforward and appealing entry into classic British motorcycling. Bikes like this don’t need a lot of hype—they just need the right caretaker to bring them back to life the right way.
Bid On This Auction
alraspa bid $2,000.00 2026-02-27 10:59:24
Kent bid $1,100.00 2026-02-27 04:16:56
MGdriver2 bid $1,000.00 2026-02-27 03:47:19- Kent bid $800.00 2026-02-26 20:12:32
- MGdriver2 bid $600.00 2026-02-26 13:26:02
Rich bid $500.00 2026-02-25 07:34:22- MGdriver2 bid $400.00 2026-02-25 06:43:51
larry bid $300.00 2026-02-24 22:28:45- MGdriver2 bid $200.00 2026-02-21 16:26:02
Oh, really now, must you? Always wanted a “Limey”, they have typically been out of my price range, but seems lately, prices have come down, why? Nobody wants one, that’s why. The T120(?) Bonneville as mentioned, was Triumphs most popular model. Sold almost 22,000 in 1967 in the US alone. 5 speed was a couple years off, and this bike incorporates everything a Triumph holds dear. I read, these typically cost about $1500 new, $300 less than a Sporty, but couldn’t match the $1400 Honda 750. Some famous people rode Triumphs, most significantly, Evel Knievel rode a T120 Bonneville on his fateful Caesars Palace crash. He transitioned to Harley, but still did jumps on the Triumph. This is a super find, I’m too old to be riding motorcycles anymore, but Triumph was one of the best. It was the only brand H-D riders would allow to ride with them.
Steve McQueen rode a Triumph from time to time. The story of the evening he pulled up to Melvyn’s in Palm Springs one evening for dinner “with a pretty young lady on the back” (Ali McGraw) on a Triumph – as told by Mel himself – is hilarious.
Steve McQueen rode Triumph’s MOST of the time as he was in love with them !!
Agree 100%! I’d love to bring this back to roadworthy status but I kinda sorta agreed with the better half to quit riding bikes. Might need to renegotiate the agreement.
Although Hunter Thompson rode a BSA when he traveled with the Hell’s Angels and wrote about them. He also chose the BSA over a Triumph.
But didn’t the Angels try and beat him up?
I had a 1968 Bonneville which was substantially identical to this one except for the color. This bike has been slightly modified in spite of the low mileage. The handle bars should be much lower and further forward and the gas tank should have rubber knee pads where the “dimples” are. These were typically not reinstalled after a tank was repainted as the originals were glued on and were hard to remove without destroying them.
The handlebars look a lot like “Mini Apehangers” of the Day! As well as the Missing Kneepads .I had a 1968 Stock Burgundy Red color in the early1970s!
it’s a nice bike that carries a reputable name with a lot of history; I’d love to have one. I’m the type of guy that would want it to fully restore into new shiny condition. is it worth 1900 dollars plus buyers premium? not to me with the included cost of restoration.
What a shame this isn’t closer-or maybe for the sake of my dwindling retirement income it’s a good thing. IIRC, 1969 was the last year of the external oil tank before the “oil in the frame” debacle. It may have only had about 50HP stock but it was where and how the rider used it all that made it the legend it became.
Really makes me miss my ‘64 Bonneville found abandon in a garage that came back to life with just a little coaxing-and eventually a set of REAL gaskets that stopped all the leaks.
Someone please save this landmark bike and keep it as original as you can!!!
Is it Kurt, or Curt, I forget? A great statement, retirement tends to thwart foolish, but still possibly fun, decisions. These posts are the real bait, and I think, why not go out in a blaze of glory? Then reality kicks in, we had our fun, you can never go home. Wasn’t but just 20 years ago, when we probably COULD still ride, these were $10grand. On an older episode of Pawn Stars( highly scripted, but I enjoy it) Rick bought a 1970 Triumph 650 Tiger for himself,, like brand new for $10grand, all he thought it was worth. Naturally, the seller wanted more, but that was 20 years ago. I’ve come to the conclusion, any future 2 (or 3?) wheeler will probably be an E-bike, now THAT’S crossing the line.
1970 was the last year for the pre-oil in frame 650 and it is considered by many as the best year! My favorite is the 68 T120R Bonneville.
You’ll never completely stop oil leaks in a Triumph or BSA, thanks mainly to the vertically split cases of the engines plus all the vibration.. Something will work loose and even if it doesn’t, a drop or two of oil will always manage to weasel its way onto the ground. Now you know why Japanese bikes never leave a signature unless something is broken!
My first motorcycle was a 1968 BSA Lightning 650. Bought it in 1971 for $600. It taught me many lessons about Brit bikes, the main one being never depend on a BSA as a daily driver. I did learn how to work on Brit motorcycles and why a factory repair manual was essential. Almost as important as owning Whitworth tools. This particular Triumph looks “crusty” to say the least. I’d be scared to open the gas tank or the carbs. And really, only 5 pictures?!
My third bike was a 68 Lightning I bought around 1971 and paid $650 for it. My first encounter with the Lord of Darkness. It had an ammeter in the headlight nacelle but it was impossible to read it while riding because the needle was all over the range. Wish I still had it.
My first bike was BSA 650 Lightning too but it was a ’65. I don’t recall what I paid for it but it was a great bike for me, and I did use it daily because it was all I had. The only issue I ever had with it (other than rear ending a Buick and bending the front forks) was the clutch went out so I put in a new one. I also was a mechanic at Custom City Cycles in Denver for a while and worked on a few British bikes and I rode the owner’s Triump 650 after I sold the Beezer. I thought it was a better bike than the BSA too in just about every way.
I was going to mention the same about the tank and carbs. The tank probably is full of varnish and so are the carbs. But they should be cleanable. At least when the bike was stored, ethanol fuel wasn’t available yet, otherwise the carbs and tank would be rusted and corroded lumps. This is a bike that if I had the time, need or both, I’d happily take a swing at bringing back to life.
I wonder if folks today know what “tickling the carbs” is? :)
I am the guy with the hot rod 1938 1/2 ton pickup truck that I didn’t reach the reserve number a few weeks ago. I would be interested in a partial trade for the Triumph?
Let me know if any thing could be worked out? I am a third generation limey Hot Rodder and would love to do something with a bike like that.LMK thanks Tom G
These days the prices for sixties brit bikes have fallen through the floor. We’re getting older and the generation after us wants single cam Hondas and KZ900s. I wouldn’t buy a Bonneville needing this much restoration for more than pocket change these days since a nice runner in good cosmetic condition can be had for 6 or 7K and, as everyone on this page knows, restoration isn’t cheap any more.
I’m in that generation but I want another 900 Z1 Kawasaki like my old ’75. Problem is the nice ones are selling for over $20k these days. It was better than my ’65 BSA 650 Lightning in pretty much every way, it handled better, was much faster, and was just a great bike all the way around.
I had a BSA Lightning and in comparison to a Z1 Kwaka it was absolute rubbish !!
Wash it, fer chrissake!
Yeah, blowing the sawdust off of it produced by the nearby equipment would have helped the presentation.
In any case, GLWS.
Definitely not as alluring as a pre unit.
One photo of this Bonneville’s as-stored condition would be plenty. At least move the tire, boxes and garbage bags for the rest of the pictures. I’d be tempted for about $500 if it was closer. Too old to ride? I’m 71 and rode yesterday and hopefully today.
I’m 86 and ride my Suzuki regularly during the Spring and summer months here in the UK.
Awesome.
I’m 75, happy to see that I have a lot of time left.
Only rode once last year, due to a surgery. Feeling much stronger now, went snowmobiling last month, and that’s a real workout!
was a triumph /bsa dealer back in the day ,when they went out of business sold off stock $450to 300 depending of size bsa were 350,kept one boney and one bsa in the crate,not for sale
It would be nice to see a couple of pictures that WEREN’T taken in a phone booth without lighting.
Hi Paul. Yes. The pictures are scant, but I really didn’t want to move the bike around. It’s the middle of winter up here, and storage is very tight. I also wanted to make sure the winning bidder knew what type of storage it was in. I didn’t want any surprises for anyone. The last time it was moved/cleaned 12-13 years ago, it was looking really good. Thanks!
Thanks, Mike! I understand.
Easy resto here. All these things need is some tlc and a few gaskets. The beauty with this one is that it looks like its all there.
I still have my whitworth wrenches.
We found these relatively cheap back in the 80’s when I did most of my riding. We had a small crew and shared parts and tools enough to keep ourselves running. We also made some money fixing other people’s English bikes.
I’d love to have a go at this one.
The 650 triumph twins were/are just about perfect. Quick and small enough around town and big enough to get out on the highway when you wanted. Mostly, they were very easy to work on.
Price seems reasonable to me being that it’s pretty much all there and not rotted out. A bit dusty but better dust than rust.
I will be surprised if this bike hits the reserve.
Loved the bike, hated the positive ground zener diode electrical system. Would love to relive the past with this one. I still dream of mine, and my mis-spent youth.
Don’t we all!
one of my 1st jobs (’66) wuz 2 re-wire one, called Thunderbird (’58 I think) w/a ‘dynamo’. I learned some things (esp on ‘rectifier’)…
Fella wanted to keep the key position allowing short excursions w/o battery. Built a small battery box & put cover/key, extra wires there.
I wuz disappointed in the ape bars, no frnt fender, hard-butt seat and no ‘sissy-bar’ or provisions for aux carry (bags, trunk, etc). I thought the sand’n grit off the frnt tire destructive to the vehicle (and driver) & no place to carry unfortunate. The bars? ridiculous.
Years ago an old Navy buddy and I wondered what kind of motorcycle the Pope rode and then I saw an article entitled “Pope has Triumph” so that we then knew for sure.
My ’67 Tiger speedometer reads in KM for being from Scotland.
Scotland is part of the British Isles so operates in miles, not kilometres. Somebody must have changed the speedometer.