Now some of you may not appreciate a Triumph build, but I’d like to think you might appreciate the work and imagination that went into this bike. It’s a far cry from any stock Triumph and it’s not a bolt-on custom or something possibly as banal as that. Someone, somewhere, took an old basket case and resurrected it into a show bike that’s sure to be vying for whatever award there is in its class and maybe overall too. Like some of us, show judges like to see something different, really different, and that’s what we’ve got going on here.
In actuality, there’s not much Triumph left here either other than the Bonneville engine (to begin with at least) and part of the main frame. Everything else came about through heavily modified bits and one-off construction. Somebody sure was determined to have a Brit-based custom that they would have to make no apologies for and a bike they could really, really call their own. And, that’s because they put so much of themselves into the build.
The mainframe is stock other than a bit of tidying up and some molding on the head stock. The stock swingarm rear suspension was canned and a bolt-on hardtail rear end took over its duties. It’s a might delicate looking thing and that set the tone for the rest of the build. The overall look is almost more bicycle than motorcycle and I’m sure that’s exactly what the builder was going for. To a lot of people, light makes right and less is more and all those kinda quirky sayings add up to a build that’s just outside of the Harley box, but with the same attention to detail we love in Harley customs.
Take the engine for instance, it’s a classic Brit vertical twin that’s been put in a blender and come out completely different from the expected 650cc architecture. The builder decided to spin the cylinders and heads around so the twin velocity stack carbs surge forward instead of hiding behind the cylinders. And, of course, the exhaust exit stage left straight back from the cylinders. It’s so nicely done it looks like it should have come this way with the carbs leading the engine while not missing an iota of air.
As you’ve probably guessed, it’s not just a case of unbolting the top end and swapping it around. Like the reversed heads I’ve seen on a few Harleys, the work involved is pretty involved. It certainly is one way of catching your eye immediately even if you’re not a big fan of Brit chops. But, like all the reversed Harleys I’ve seen, there’re are no big advantages other than showing what the builder is capable of doing. That’s fine by me as I like to see what some individual thinks is the right way to do something even if it’s not the factory or my way. You just know there’s a real individual behind this build who loves a challenge.
The stock four-speed tranny with its integral and absolutely necessary kicker was kept. The power from the Bonny engine is transferred by chain to the clutch/tranny with a cutout primary exposing the chain. How the chain is kept lubed is a mystery to me, but then most things are a mystery to me. I’ll just have to assume the builder knows what he’s doing or maybe this is more of a show piece than I imagined. You don’t want lube flying all over the pretty stuff (and there surely is a lot of that) so maybe it wasn’t intended to be run for long or ?
Up front stock Triumph hydraulic forks are nowhere to be seen. And, that’s because the builder decided to build his own girder-style fork instead of just using a cleaned-up OEM piece. A tight and simple design of tubing backed by flat stock for strength and style with some Swiss-cheesing just because it looks good is controlled by a single coil-over shock. Brass plated control arms work the beast and look good doing it.
As far as the fork goes, I have to include the tiny headlight nicely mounted between the fork legs as part of its construction and also the one-off handlebars. At first I thought they were some sort of clip-ons, but they’re beautifully integrated in the fork bits too. All very tidy and all well done. The lovely knurled brass grips are devoid of any control levers with nary a cable including a throttle cable to be seen.
Speaking of controls, the foot shifter is on the right as aqll Brit purists think they should be and that’s the only thing purists and this bike have in common. On the left could be the longest brake lever I’ve ever seen on any bike. You’d much rather use a yardstick than a ruler if you were to measure it. I can’t imagine how the extra leverage works except to say that it’s connected to caliper setup working on the sprocket. Maybe you do want the extra leverage when the only brake on board is connected to a chain sprocket. Stand on it takes on a whole new meaning.
Safe to say, the wheels are obviously not laced up stainless Dunlop rims mated to Triumph hubs, but high-tech five-spoke billet stuff. Billet wheels and show bikes are pretty natural pals and these chrome or highly polished wheels with brass inserts look damn striking. Some later Triumphs did come with mags, but nothing the least bit like this. By now you’ve picked up on the recurring brass bits from the engine to the controls to the wheels and it all ties together nicely. Not too much either, just the right show bike amount.
Bodywork is as minimal as it gets with a tank that has hints of Triumph to it, but obviously is something else altogether. I can’t place the basic shape other than to think Spanish dirt bike or something ridiculous like that, but I do love the vintage-looking chrome side panel on the tank. The chrome cylindrical oil tank almost disappears inside the chromed-out engine bay while the rear fender is simple as can be, but the added chrome takes it out of the ordinary class. The brass rear fender stay not only holds the fender, but provides a spot for the teeny-tiny taillight to match the headlight setup. All very clean and well done stuff.
As always, paint makes or breaks a bike especially a show bike and here the builder used unusual restraint with a classy paintjob that I wouldn’t mind stealing. The metallic powder blue was a surprising choice that works. Combine that with all the chrome and brass bits and you have a quiet looker. Toss on some striking gold leafing and the inspired tank graphics and you’ve got a complete looker you’d never mix up with another Triumph custom.
Overall this is one well done show bike that honestly doesn’t seem to make any pretentions of being something you’d hit the street with. Just take a look at that nice hand tooled seat and tell me where your junk would comfortably go and you’d see why I appreciate this as an exercise in making a bit of motorcycle art more than a strict motorcycle. I guess whether you appreciate or hate it depends on your own point of view and that’s exactly what makes America so damn great. Although the builder might sincerely appreciate any positive comments you might have, I bet he really doesn’t give a damn if you don’t. Too bad I already used the “what makes America so damn great” thing, but ain’t it the truth?