T140LE 1981 Royal Wedding Bonneville

The Triumph Factory at Meriden were looking for a way to boost Bonneville sales and the Royal Wedding of Charles and Diana in 1981 provided the perfect opportunity. The project was not without serious complications due to the dire financial position at Meriden and the almost non-existent project budget.

Only 250 machines were produced, half for the UK market and half for the USA. There were some modifications for the USA market including a black frame, different paint design and colour and a smaller export tank.

The bike has an interesting history, it appealed to me the moment I heard about it. 30893 was originally supplied to Dave Fox Motors of Ramsgate, on a sale or return basis. Triumph was using this tactic to get models off the production line and sold.

When the Meriden factory stopped trading, the liquidators had to retrieve the unsold machines and 30893 was taken back and put into storage.

The Bike still packed in its cardboard overcoat as it was despatched from the factory.

It was sold to an investor in 1983 and was dry stored for the next 25 years. In 2008 it was finally unpacked and was put up for sale

In 2008 it was entered into Bonhams auction at Stafford International Bike Show. It sold for £9645.

The new owner registered the bike designation CKL 800Y and took it for one ride.

The first ride of 7 miles took its mileage from the original 6, factory test and rectification miles, up to its present total of 13 miles. The bike came into my possession on 19th September 2022 having seen it advertised as a Triumph Bonneville on Facebook Market Place. I knew what it was and I had to have it. The Bike is beautiful, in its “Original Unrestored” fully running condition, even down to the 1981 Meriden air in the tyres.