Refined from the later 'oil in frame' version of the T120, the first few T140s, designated T140V, featured a larger-capacity engine of 724 cc, a five-speed gearbox and indicators, but still retaining drum brakes and kick-start.

While originally intended for 'export only',[2] the 750 Bonneville twin caused so much interest among visitors to the 1973 motorcycle shows,[3] that Triumph decided to put the bike on the home market at the price of 679 UK pounds.

[4] In 1975, along with engine modifications, the gearchange lever was moved from right to left to comply with new regulations mandated for the American market and a rear disc brake fitted.

Triumph Motorcycles was acquired by businessman John Bloor, who licensed a company called Racing Spares in Devon, run by Les Harris to manufacture the T140 Bonneville.

[20] The introduction of the Japanese four-cylinder Honda CB750 had been noted by the Triumph management board in the late 1960s, the three-cylinder 750 cc BSA Rocket 3/Triumph Trident was developed to directly compete against it.

[1] The 1977 T140J was launched as a limited edition of 1,000 in US and an additional 1,000 in UK specification (plus 400 for Commonwealth export) of the T140V, produced to commemorate the 1977 Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

[25] This model featured a new cylinder head, redesigned Amal carburettors to meet emission regulations and shortly after production started, Lucas electronic ignition.

The Bonneville Specials were finished in gold-pinstriped black with a stepped seat and seven-spoke US-made Lester mag-alloy wheels and a tuned two-into-one exhaust for the US market.

Launched in 1980 and designed at Meriden by Brian Jones, the electric starter was fitted at the rear of the timing chest where the magneto had been located on the original 1959 Bonneville T120.

Just 250 'Royal Wedding' Bonnevilles (with special finishes for the 125 US and 125 UK models) were built to commemorate the 1981 marriage of Lady Diana Spencer and Charles, Prince of Wales.

Whilst both had electric starting, Bing carburettors, ULO turn indicators and Marzocchi Strada gas-oil rear shock absorbers as standard, the UK version also had American-made 'Morris' alloy wheels and twin front discs.

[29] The electric-starting Triumph T140W TSS was launched in 1982 and featured an eight-valve cylinder head (derived from Weslake Engineering, hence the 'W' suffix) and a revised crankshaft designed to reduce vibration.

[26] All T140W had an electric start, the new Italian-made 4-gallon petrol tank, twin front disc brakes and Marzocchi Strada rear shock absorbers as standard with Morris alloy wheels and an anti-vibration frame as options.

[19] For 1983/4, it was envisaged, in line with the UK/Rest of World range, that the TSS-AV would also be fitted with the anti-vibration frame, rear-set footrests, a new seat-tail unit and TSX-style side panels all as standard.

[30] The EX Executive Bonneville, available in smoked colours of burgundy or blue and also black, all gold-lined, had a Sabre 'cockpit' fairing by Brearley-Smith and full hard 'Executive' luggage by Sigma.

[24][26] In 1984 the T140 production rights were licensed by the new owner of Triumph, John Bloor, to Devon-based engineer Les Harris who produced 1,300 complete motorcycles at his Newton Abbot factory[31] between 1985 and 1988 when the licence was not renewed .

[1] These machines were distinct from the Meriden product having as standard, German Magura switchgear, Merit spark plug caps with Italian Paioli front and rear suspension, Brembo brakes and Lafranconi silencers.

Prior to these movies, Richard Gere himself also bought a Bonneville from Triumph with his pay from the touring production of the musical Grease in the 1970s.

1973 T140V Bonnevilles featured prominently in Hollywood blaxploitation biker film The Black Six and could be seen in Race with the Devil with later models making occasional appearances in contemporary television series such as CHiPS and The Sweeney.

[citation needed] Film and television appearances of the T140 Bonneville continued even in the late 1980s and 1990s after production ended, such as in Melrose Place, The Kids in the Hall, Sweet Angel Mine, The Fourth Protocol and even the 1999 Swedish movie Tsatsiki, morsan och polisen.