"Led Zeppelin" chop sold at auction

November 2015

Triumph T120 Bonneville | 650 | Sunset Tripper
 

Led Zeppelin chop? That's what a lot of folk are calling it, anyway. But more accurately, this was the 650cc Triumph T120 chopper that once belonged to Led Zeppelin drummer, John Bonham (31st May 1948 – 25th September 1980).

John Bonham died after a prolonged drinking binge. But like a lot of young men during the 1960s and 1970s, he caught the chopper bike bug and bought this one from Burbank Customs in California. In fact, we understand that the other three members of Zeppelin also commissioned Triumph customs from the same source (but we haven't been able to confirm this information).

Dubbed "Sunset Tripper", this Trumpet is said to have been inspired by the Harley Panhead chop ridden by Peter Fonda as "Captain America" in the 1969 seminal road movie Easy Rider—except that Bonham splashed a union jack on the fuel tank instead of the stars and stripes.

We like this bike plenty, not for its practicality, of course. Instead, we like it because it reminds us of when we were young and when the chopper craze was at its height which was a roller coaster of excitement and youthful exuberance.

Back then, almost anything with ape-hanger handlebars was cool. And just about anything with extended forks was supercool.

This Triumph has the essential ingredients necessary for a seventies British custom; a Triumph (or BSA or Norton or Ariel engine), a chromed hardtail frame,  twisted steel springer forks, ape hanger handlebars, a banana seat, a cissy bar, high-level silencers, a 21-inch front wheel, forward foot controls, a 16-inch rear wheel, and double headlights up top (rectangular will do fine).

Stick some shower hosing around a few cables. Paint the tank with a daring design and (ideally) have it pinstriped, fit a custom tail light (a cats eye or an Iron Cross design works well, but this bike has a standard Lucas item), and bolt on a mini speedo.

A machine such as this was once your ticket to sex, drugs and a lotta hassle from the coppers. But what did you care? You were a chopper pilot, and as long as you had a bedroll strapped to the 'bars, and some fuel in the tank (and maybe a fresh reefer in your denim cut-off pocket) you were a player on the scene and could always find a friend somewhere along the road.

When John Bonham died, the bike stayed in the family until 1988. Then son Jason Bonham (also a drummer) sold it. The chop went to Denmark for a few decades, and then arrived in the USA. The bike was said to be in generally good condition, but the rubber parts had deteriorated.

Profiles in History, an American auction house that specialises in movie and celebrity memorabilia, recently handled the sale (1st October 2015). The estimate was $30,000 - $50,000. The hammer came down at $40,000. The new owner is unknown.

Here at Sump, just looking at this motorcycle makes us feel about eighteen years old again. How about you?

— Big End