The classic bike dealers said it would be more difficult than finding a needle in a haystack.
Arguably the most desirable year of an epoch-defining bike, most 1969 T120 Bonnevilles were restored long ago.
But we found one that wasn't!
After weeks checking Ebay, a 1969 UK spec T120 finally came up for sale.
It has matching engine and frame numbers, rolled out of the factory in October 1969, was first registered in south-east London and has been off the road since 1973.
The reason for this is that it was an accident write-off - although (as is often the way with insurance jobs) the damage is not too bad.
The frame looks straight, and apart from a few scrapes on the nearside, a bent foot-peg and shock absorber the damage is largely superficial.
The glass on the speedo and rev counter are both smashed, the non-standard exhausts bent and there's a big dint in the back wheel.
But the mileage reads 5,704 (most probably genuine, given what we know about the bike), the engine turns over and we have compression.
Hopefully this means the inside is in reasonable condition.
Externally, the tank has been painted black and there is a gold painted skull on a maltese cross where the Triumph badge should be - a superb piece of customisation.
I'm half tempted to restore it to the condition it was in immediately before the accident - the skull motif would certainly be a talking point.
Having never sat on a Bonneville before, I'm amazed at how light they are. Much lighter than many modern bikes of a similar size.
It feels responsive too - even when stationary. But best of all, the £2,200 it cost feels worth it already. Now the real fun and hard work can begin.
