The Triumph T120R Bonneville 650 had a big year in 1967, when about 12,500 Bonneville motorcycles were sold in the United States. Riders loved the striking appearance, not to mention the heritage that extended to the days before World War Two.

While styling changed little, the 1967 model had just the right touches. The tank was aubergine and gold, with white later replacing the gold. Handgrips reverted to black after the 1966 model’s experiment with gray. Overall, the Bonnie’s look was pure, yet the 19-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel and deeply treaded tires added boldness.

Meantime, every little detail was perfect, and there was plenty of flash, too. The 649cc parallel twin benefited from the incorporation of a re-profiled intake camshaft, redesigned oil pump, and pistons supplied by Hepolite. Amal Concentric carburetors were phased in to replace the Amal Monobloc carbs. The ignition system was refined as well.

Performance was strong, with 110 mph attainable, and a Bonneville ridden by John Hartle overachieved by winning the Isle of Man TT 750cc production class, averaging 97.1 mph over 113 miles of the Mountain Course. If this news didn’t reach riders in the U.S., they surely heard about Evel Knievel’s jump in Las Vegas, when he saddled up on a T120TT Bonneville. (The T1200TT Bonneville would also be dropped from the lineup after 1967.) And Clint Eastwood rode a 1967 model T120R Bonneville for a chase scene in the following year’s release Coogan’s Bluff. “There were plenty of hairy skids and scary falls, but no blood,” director Don Siegel recalled.