Triumph and Gibson Unveil Custom T120 and Les Paul

Admin · March 24, 2022

Two legends unite to influence each other for a good cause. Meet the Triumph Bonneville T120 Custom and 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard Reissue. (Triumph Motorcycles/)

We previously reported on the collaboration between Triumph Motorcycles and Gibson guitars to help support the 2022 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR).

Details were few concerning the 1959 Custom Legends partnership support of the ride, which takes place alongside the Movember movement to raise funds for the fight against prostate cancer, support mental health, and prevent suicide among men.

All this changed Tuesday. As expected, the outcome of this collaboration includes some custom builds from both sides. One 1959 legend influences another: a custom edition Bonneville T120 that pays homage to the 1959 Gibson Les Paul, and a Les Paul Standard Reissue guitar that pays homage to the 1959 Triumph Bonneville T120.

The bike and guitar were created in “support” of the ride, though there’s no word of these one-off customs being raffled off. That said, as iconic representations of the brand, they are sure to attract attention and help create awareness of the DGR’s mission.

The Bonneville T120’s custom sunburst paint takes influence directly from the Les Paul. (Triumph Motorcycles/)

Meet the Triumph Bonneville T120 Gibson Custom

The Bonneville, the name of which recognizes Johnny Allen’s record-breaking ride aboard a Triumph-powered streamliner at the Utah salt flats, debuted in 1959. The Bonneville model was discontinued in 1975 but revived in 2016 with a 1,200cc model that’s the basis of many cool modern factory editions, including Triumph’s Modern Classics line: Bobber, Scrambler, Speed Twin, and Thruxton.

Today, Triumph makes the 1959 Legends Edition Bonneville T120, which takes styling notes directly from the 1959 Les Paul Standard, one of the most sought-after by collectors.

Structurally, the bike remains all Bonneville T120, which was updated for 2021 with an over 15-pound weight loss due to lighter aluminum wheels, updated Brembo brakes, cruise control, and enhanced rider modes.

Aesthetically much has changed. Highlights include:

Custom paint scheme to match the Iced Tea Burst finish of the guitar, featuring a Jet Black painted guitar neck and headstock design on the top of the tank.
The tank is edged with hand-painted coachlining, showcasing the expert skills of Triumph’s custom paint team.
Low-profile electroformed metallic gold “Triumph Gibson 1959 Legends” badges applied to the tank, side panels, and front mudguard.
Laser-etched fuel filler cap featuring Gibson logo.
Custom brown real leather seat, designed to match the leather guitar case, with additional detailing including diamond stitching, embroidered Triumph logo, and custom guitar pick holders.
Bespoke alternator badge featuring intricate detailing and the “Triumph Gibson 1959 Legends” logo.

This special edition also has a certificate of authenticity signed by Triumph CEO Nick Bloor, and Brand President of Gibson Brands Cesar Gueikian.

Now that’s worthy of a thousand words. The 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard Reissue sits next to the custom Bonneville T120. (triumph Motorcycles/)

Meet the 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard Triumph Reissue

As for the guitar, the 1959 Legends Custom Edition Les Paul is based on a 1959 Standard Reissue model that showcases the legendary sunburst finish and solid mahogany “C”-shape neck with Indian rosewood fingerboard.

The guitar, a favorite of legends like Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page, Aerosmith’s Joe Perry, Guns N’ Roses Slash, and Joe Bonamassa, is updated with 1959 Bonneville T120 details, including:

Jet Black pickguard with hand-painted coachlining pickguard inspired by the Bonnie’s machined engine fins.
Triumph logo laser-etched into bottom pickup cover.
Electroformed metallic gold Triumph headstock badge.
Hand-finished “Triumph Gibson 1959 Legends” partnership logo on the backplate, designed to echo the Bonneville T120 alternator cover badge design.
Hand-painted Jet Black pickup cover surrounds.

Besides the typical Gibson reissue certification, the 1959 Legends Custom Edition also arrives with a certificate of authenticity.

Since its founding in 2012 by Mark Hawwa of Sydney, Australia, the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride global community has raised more than $31.5 million from over 340,000 riders across 107 countries. The ride’s theme is exactly what it sounds like, and was inspired by the image of Mad Men’s Don Draper on a motorcycle while wearing a dapper suit.

This year’s ride is set for Sunday, May 22. Preregistration is open to riders across the world, and official registration and fundraising begin on March 28.

Read Triumph and Gibson to Support a Dapper Ride for Awareness for more details about the partnership.

Here are the originals that influenced the 2022 builds: a 1959 Les Paul Standard and a 1959 Triumph Bonneville T120. (Triumph Motorcycles/)
The custom Bonnie’s gas tank features a banner in the shape of a Les Paul guitar neck. (Triumph Motorcycles/)
The rear fender is highlighted by a “1959 Legends” custom badge highlighting the partnership between Triumph and Gibson. (Triumph Motorcycles/)
The side profile shows the attention to detail on an already gorgeous bike, including the leather seat influenced by a Gibson guitar case with guitar pick holders surrounding the passenger portion and some more custom badges. (Triumph Motorcycles/)
Custom badging further separates the back of this Les Paul apart from all the others. (Triumph Motorcycles/)
The Les Paul’s pickguard’s design is inspired by the Bonneville’s legendary engine fins. (Triumph Motorcycles/)
It’s not often you see Triumph badging on a Gibson Les Paul. (Triumph Motorcycles/)