Deconstruction began with the removal of high bars, fuel tank, over-sized ass pad(seat), gaudy turn signals and chunky airbox. Then the fenders and wheels were pulled off, cut to slimmer dimensions and hand painted black. I hand laced and trued the wheels after powdercoating the individual spokes to complement the shine that was to be left on the tank, engine, and exhaust. Chrome is often overused and poorly placed so I consciously thought about each pieces color and durability before engineering it as part of the build. 60’s style girling shocks and quintessential British air filters were mated to tuned carburetors which open up the space of the subframe. After converting her to a negative ground, I bought recycled black leather and started hand sewing a battery box and Ignition coil covers to black out the limited electronics of the bike, along with hand fabricating a steel electronics tray riveted underneath the frame. The front fender saw resurrection off a junk-yard Honda, but after a little TLC it proved worthy of denying mud and stones flicked up off classic Dunlop K70 tires. The oil system was completely refreshed and the exhaust was cut, and then lengthened with hand polished aluminized steel paired to turn out mufflers really letting the British iron exhale. Black Low rise handle bars accepted a freshly rebuilt master cylinder and saw the removal of an unnecessary tach, significantly lowering the height of the bike. The tail light and plate mount were painstakingly measured, cut, and made to serve as a support for the now tightly hugged rear tire. On top, the frame now supports a springer seat and passenger pillion of lighter construction and streamline aesthetics. Finally, the tank was salvaged and stripped before hand polishing it’s steel exterior. Matching the 1938 paint job of the Speed Twin has eluded experts for nearly a century but I was able to concoct a recipe which after weeks of clear coat, polish and hand laid Gold pin-stripping resembled something reminiscent of Triumphs Pre-war brilliance. Humidity and no spray gun added to the challenge of nailing the paint job just right in the lamp-light shed I work in on the Western Gulf of Mexico. It’s trail capable, and finds solace somewhere between country roads and ocean front stretches of pavement. The design pays homage to an era of bikes who’s beauty came from simplicity and functionality….It’s not your daddy’s Triumph.
