1979 Triumph Bonneville

1979 Triumph Bonneville Background & History

The 1979 Triumph Bonneville had very few mechanical changes from the 1978 model.  The big news was the addition of Lucas Rita electronic ignition, eliminated those fussy points forever.  All models received Allen-head screws to secure the outer engine covers, replacing the antiquated Phillips-head screws.  The steering head, top and bottom triple clamps were modified to accommodate the repositioned steering lock which was moved from the top yoke to under the bottom yoke to make room for the relocated ignition switch, which now resided on a paint black panel, shared with high beam, neutral, and oil pressure warning lights.  The rubber footrests were squarer than before and ceased being interchangeable, so now there was a right and a left.  A small chromed package rack was added being the seat, above the tail light, and the seat was now lockable for the first time.  Handlebar controls were improved to make them easier to use.  The wheels hubs were now polished and lacquered.  Rear tire size was bumped up to 4.25 X 18”, but had to be returned to its original 4.10 X 18” midway through the model year due to interference with the rear fender.  Finally the electrical system was switched over for negative-ground and a three-phase RM24 10.5-amp alternator with 3DS rectifier were added, and a new Zener diode was mounted to the aluminum air cleaner housing.

Not much changed on the 1979 Triumph Bonneville T140E.  Still a great-looking bike with classic, old world style.

1979 Triumph Bonneville is a Smog Dog

The 1978 Triumph Bonneville got a late-year update by Triumph. After several years of little or no change, new U.S. emissions legislations affecting motorcycles was forcing the struggling Meriden Co-op to finally make some changes, although not the changes they would have liked to make, to be sure. The 1978 model year started with Engine #HX00100, with the standard T140V 1978 Triumph Bonneville line continuing into 1978 pretty much as they had in 1977. However, on January 1, 1978, production began on its replacement: The T140E. The “E” stood for “Environmental” and meant that the once-mighty fire-breathing Triumph Bonneville was becoming a “smog dog”.  The 1979 Triumph Bonneville was no better, well maybe slightly, thanks to the electronic ignition.

1979 Triumph Bonneville Changes & Improvements

Mechanical changes were few, Meriden was too strapped for cash to do more than was needed to meet ever more stringent legislation, particularly in the US. In fact, supplier problems had already started to surface as the Co-operative’s money problems grew. In late 1978 for instance, they made a switch over to French-made Velgia gauges, when the traditional Smiths instruments were unavailable. One welcome improvement that came with mixed results was the new Lucas Rita electronic ignition system. Much-needed & long-overdue, being from Sir Lucas, “The Prince of Darkness”, of course the new system had problems.

TOP & BOTTOM: The 1979 Triumph Bonneville engine was the same, whether in a T140E or a T140D.  Note the allen screws on the outer covers, and the finned 'points cover' denoting electronic ignition.

1979 Triumph Bonneville Special part of a Trend

Triumph's new owners, the employees themselves, known as the Meriden Co-operative, or the Co-op for short, had hit on a new idea almost by accident: the limited edition special. 1977 had been the 25th anniversary year of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign as Queen of England and Triumph had released the 1977 Triumph T140J Bonneville Silver Jubilee to commemorate it. Originally planned as a 1,000-unit run, it quickly ran to well over 2,000 bikes, bikes that sold for a premium price over a normal Triumph Bonneville. The Co-op liked this very much. They had sort of stumbled onto something and now decided to capitalize on it. Just about every year or so brought some new Limited Edition Special.  They had watched Norton build multiple variants (Roadster, Fastback, Hi-Rider, JPN, etc.) by slapping cool bodywork on othewise stock Commandos.  Why not try the same thing with the evergreen Bonneville?

The 2-into-1 header pipe is visible from this side of the 1979 Triumph Bonneville Special.  Note the rear caliper is mounted high.  All other Bonnevilles mounted theirs low, hanging off the bottom of the disc.

1979 Triumph Bonneville Special T140D

For 1979, that special was…well…The Special. Designated T140D, while the normal 1979 Triumph Bonneville was a T140E (“E” for Environmental, it got the smog treatment), the model year started with Engine #HX11001.  Mechanically, there was virtually no difference between the T140E and the new-for-’79 T140D Bonneville Special (other than the T140D’s 2-int-1 exhaust and those cool rims), again it was mostly an appearance package. Both shared the same “E” engine, mandated by US Smog Regs. The T140D got a slick new 2-in-1 header that was unique to the model and quite nice. Work was done to the shift mechanism to make neutral easier to find and to install a US-mandated Neutral Warning Lamp. Last year’s Velgia gauges returned sporadically, with Meriden logos on their faces. Although some units got through with Smiths gauges, presumably when Meriden paid its bill.   

The 1979 Triumph T140D Bonneville Special looked great.  The mag wheels looked fantastic as did the black-and-gold-pinstripe paint scheme.

1979 Triumph Bonneville Color & Trim Combos

As you can see, another selling philosophy was apparently stolen from Burger King: “Have it your way!” There were 4 color combos for the US and 3 for the UK, very unusual for Triumph, who had always used one color combo per model per year. But with the different models, different market-specific tanks and all the colors, there were more combinations that every before. Chrome fenders were back in all markets (US and UK) and the color schemes for 1979 were as follows: The US had 4 choices; Dark Blue over Silver; Black over Siliver, Candy Apple Red over Black; and exclusive to the T140D, Black with Gold pinstriping. The UK got 3 choices; Black and Red; Beige & Gold; and their T140D (with British-spec tank) was also Black with Gold pinstriping.

This was the UK-spec 1979 Triumph Bonneville T140E.  Note the boxy 'bulldog' tank and low bars, the biggest differences from the US-spec bikes.

1979 Triumph Bonneville Specifications

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1979 Triumph Bonneville Books

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More Triumph Bonneville Pages

1959 T120 Bonneville

1960 T120 Bonneville

1961 T120 Bonneville

1962 T120 Bonneville

1963 T120 Bonneville

1964 T120 Bonneville

1965 T120 Bonneville

1966 T120 Bonneville

1967 T120 Bonneville

1968 T120 Bonneville

1969 T120 Bonneville

1970 T120 Bonneville

1971 T120 Bonneville

1972 T120 Bonneville

1973 T140 Bonneville

1974 T140 Bonneville

1975 T140 Bonneville

1976 T140 Bonneville

1977 T140 Bonneville

1977 T140J Silver Jubilee

1978 T140 Bonneville

1979 T140 Bonneville

1980 T140 Bonneville

1981 T140 Bonneville

1982 T140 Bonneville

1983 T140 Bonneville

1983 TSS Bonnevile

1983 TSX Bonneville

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