Still In The Factory Crate: A Triumph Bonneville T100 Paul Smith

This is an original Triumph Bonneville T100 Paul Smith from 2006 that remains in its factory crate, having never been removed for final assembly or riding. The bike is 1 of 50 “Live Fast” Bonnevilles made in collaboration with designer Paul Smith.

The Bonneville T100 remains a popular modern classic, combining retro styling with a modern drivetrain, improved reliability, and vastly better brakes. Triumph built the T100 from 2002 to 2017 before releasing the all-new Bonneville T120 1200.

Fast Facts – The Triumph Bonneville T100 Paul Smith

• The “Paul Smith” Triumph Bonneville T100 was released in 2006 as a signature series. Nine were initially made for display in Paul Smith stores, which led to the “Multi-Union” and “Live Fast” limited edition versions, 50 of each were made.
• Paul Smith is a British designer who started out in men’s fashion before expanding broadly – his art has now been applied to everything from bicycles and stereos, to cars and motorcycles.
• The Triumph Bonneville T100 was released in 2002 in 790cc form, it was then upgraded to 865cc in 2005, and to 900cc form in 2017. The T100 is a modern classic with a tubular steel frame, a parallel twin with double overhead cams, a 5-speed gearbox, and front/rear disc brakes.
• The Triumph Bonneville T100 Paul Smith that you see here is one of the 50 “Live Fast” editions that were made. It has hand-painted graphics including multi-color side covers and fenders, and both a yellow and a black two-person seat.

The Triumph Bonneville T100

When Triumph launched the Bonneville T100 in 2002 at the Munich Motorcycle Show it was their first new motorcycle design in 15 years. Triumph had been on somewhat shaky financial ground since the 1970s, and they needed a winner to help secure the company’s future.

As it played out, the new T100, which was named for the original Triumph of the same name from 1959, would launch the company to the forefront of the modern classic motorcycle scene – some go so far as to say that the 2002 Bonneville T100 founded the genre altogether.

Whenever they develop a new motorcycle, the team at Triumph have to perform a balancing act of sorts between the company’s long history and heritage, and the need to implement new engineering to stay current.

The 2002 T100 paid homage to the past with its parallel twin engine, tubular steel frame, and dual rear shock absorbers. It also incorporated a range of modern elements like double overhead cams, unit construction, front and rear disc brakes, and an electric starter.

This combination of old and new would become a best seller for the British motorcycle manufacturer, the Triumph Scrambler would be released in 2006 based on the Bonneville, as was the higher-performance Thruxton model.

Such was the success of these new models that after many years in production Triumph has been slowly replacing them all with new versions, and expanding their model range at the same time.

The Factory Crated Paul Smith Bonneville Shown Here

The motorcycle you see here is one of just 50 original Paul Smith “Live Fast” limited editions models from 2006. Unlike the vast majority of its peers, this one is in its factory crate with 0 miles on the odometer.

It will be up to thew new owner if they want to uncrate it, finish assembly, give it a servicing with all new fluids and a new battery to actually ride it – or keep it preserved in the crate as it is now.

If you’d like to read more about this unusual Bonneville or place a bid you can visit the listing here on Bring a Trailer. It’s being sold out of Brownsburg, Indiana.

Images courtesy of Bring a Trailer