Home after defying the bad weather and riding anyway in rather wintery conditions. I photographed this image on my mobile phone camera and Photoshopped it to look less like a mobile phone photo. I kinda dig the two tone effect in this shot of my beautiful Bonneville in the rain. The cool light flare was a natural occurrence of the lens.
Remember that giddy feeling when you went into your favourite toy or sweet shop? That’s the feeling I got when I stumbled onto the Cafe Twin website. They are an Italian company who sell the bits that can transform your retro twin cylinder bike into the custom machine of your dreams – if you have the money. This is best exemplified in their bountiful gallery of customised Triumph Bonnevilles, Scramblers and Thruxtons. This video below features one of their builds dreamily meandering through a folky Italian landscape just to incase you didn’t feel envious enough. Watch it full screen.
The thing that attracted me to buy at Triumph Bonneville was the fact that whether new or old, it would possess a beauty throughout it’s age. I can image that when the tank has had a few dents and the polish has worn off the chrome, I would just embrace it’s aged look as Roberto Rossi has done with this model called Rivale. Built from a 2003 T100, the cheeky “New / Old” decals on each side plays off the ambiguity of its age. The worn leather seat, scrambler styled pipes and detachable saddle bag signifying that it is ready to travel anywhere, anytime.
Via Moto Rivista
I am constantly surprised at how many directions you can take these bikes from Triumph. German bike builder JVB (Jens com Brauck) has crafted this tantilising cruiser from a Triumph Thruxton and has actually made mini ape bars look appealing to those outside the Harley clubs. The bike looks ‘complete’ to me, in that nothing seems out of place, from the chopped rear fender with integrated lights to the new headlight housing. There are so many tasty details that I should just let your eyes wander over them and maybe pay their website a visit as they offer some of these parts directly.
Below is a terrific clip of the bike being ridden by the folks of MCN. They also cover some more of the build details.
I have finally made the upgrades to my 2009 Triumph Bonneville! My main aim was to slim the bike down and give it the cafe racer look that it deserves. I found the parts from four different suppliers in three different countries! Gone are the stock lights, replaced with the oval cat-eyes tail light and mini bullet indicators. The rear indicators are relocated to the shocks. This has significantly cleaned up the rear and generally slimed down the look of the bike. The clubman handlebars are from Royal Enfield and it has neither rise nor fall, giving me a more agressive riding position, but it is kinder to the wrists than clip-ons or other clubmans. Lastly I found bar end mirrors from Moto-Deluxe on ebay which I have been very impressed with as they vibrate less than my Napoleon mirrors. Overall, I am absolutely in love with the new look of the bike.
I had the parts installed by my mechanic Brett from Madbiker in addition to my regular service. He texted me back with this message, “Your bike is ready & you’re gonna love it..”. Right he was.
This is what it looked like before…
So there I was, minding my own business and I stumble across this amazing two wheeled wonder. There was so little I recognised about it except the engine. Based on a 2001 Triumph Bonneville, bike builder Ross Osborne crafted most of the bike himself, including the extended tank, cafe seat, chain guard, rear set pegs – actually there is way too much to point out. He simply said, any part that isn’t stock was custom made. I especially love the pinstriping on the tank with his name “Osborne” along it. Ross kindly agreed for me to take a few snaps of his bike. They turned out ok considering it’s from my mobile phone.
Ross is part of a group called ROMP Design making specialised parts for the motor sport industry. An aerospace engineer, he seemed like a very clever man with some good contacts. He plans to make more for friends and potential customers. I may have to pay him a visit with my 2009 EFI Bonnie one day.
Update: Check out Ross’s own blog about how he built his bike. Some revealing insights makes you realise how much work it took to make this amazing bike. Check it out here at supacustom.com
Imitation should definitely be seen as a form of flattery with this latest creation from Rajputana Customs. Clearly a tribute to the Bullet Falcon, this bike began as a Royal Enfield Bullet 500. They call it the Lightfoot; built for an Indian celebrity. The tank and seat combination to me is perfect, while the subtle detailing on the handle bar grips, levers and frame makes this a work of art. I can’t stop looking at it.
I’m finding it difficult to decide which version I like more, the Falcon (Triumph) or the Enfield. Here’s the Falcon for you to make up your own mind.
via Pipeburn
Here’s a photo of some updates on my Bonneville. I installed new, lower handlebars from Ventura and some bolt on Napoleon mirrors. Now it is less mistaken for a cruiser by non bike folks and I love the slightly more forward riding position. You can compare it to my original photo here.
Auctioned off recently in New Zealand was this 1939 Trimph Tiger 100.
Enter the Speed Twin; designed by Ed Turner and released to the market in 1937, this small and very distinct gem twinkled in a world of despair, a world that would become more despairing in the years that followed. The smooth and powerful design was an instant success and marked the British industry’s fruitful obsession with the parallel twin configuration. A sports version of the Speed Twin was soon launched and baptised the Tiger 100, as shown here… the T100 was a true 100mph machine capable of giving the best of the competition something to worry about. Soon after T100′s successful launch the Triumph factory was destroyed by German bombers bringing the production of the T100 to an abrupt end until after the war. Fewer than 300 bronze head T100′s are believed to have been produced.
The bike fetched over $40,000 AUD. Nice!
Got my dream bike! Triumph Bonneville SE 2009 model. Used but still under warranty! I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. As I stare at it in my garage, I can’t believe I actually own one – such a beautiful machine.
The best way to describe the ride is… easy. The engine barely feels like it’s ever struggling which belies the power it delivers. Steering is quick and riding is confidence inspiring. Coming from my Honda VTR 250 it certainly feels like a bigger bike but everything is in easy reach and the weight is incredibly well balanced. Just like many riders out there, I wish the pipes made a bit more noise and I wouldn’t mind the handlebars being a little further forward. Already bought some Napoleon bolt on mirrors to replace the lolly pop mirrors.
MCN recently compared it to the “new” Norton Commando and found that in the low end the Bonnie was actually quicker despite costing three times less. Can’t wait to take it on a big ride and enjoy all it’s retro goodness.
I’ve seen some pretty horrendous “bobbing” done to a Triumph Bonneville but I think this is an elegant and beautiful design. Now, if they only produced this for real.
Via Bike EXIF
My first time at the Broadford Bike Bonanza and my last ride on my Honda VTR 250 before I trade up to my 09 Triumph Bonneville SE. There was a fantastic display of cafe racers and classic bikes, and not just for show as the owners had the opportunity to race them on the track. Here are some of the highlights for me. Wish the pics could be better but I only had my mobile phone camera on me. A great day and a fitting farewell for my little Honda.
If Batman rode a motorcycle in the 50s, I’d imagine this is what it would look like…
Triumph Thruxton found on Bike Exif. Customised by an Arizona crew called Sucker Punch Sally’s. Enjoy.
For anyone wondering what flat bars look like on a Bonneville.
