The modern Triumph Bonneville has become one of the most heavily customised motorcycles on the planet, but very few builders have explored the platform as extensively as Tamarit Motorcycles. With more than 200 Triumph-based projects now completed from their Spanish workshop, they’ve developed a knack for producing bikes that are instantly recognisable as Tamarit creations without simply repeating the same formula. Build number 153, aptly named First, is a perfect example, built for a Frenchman who wanted more than a little Brat personality in his T120.
‘First’ was commissioned by French owner Patrick, who wanted something personal rather than a catalogue exercise or a carbon copy style custom. He also wanted to work with a builder who would take on his ideas and genuinely reflect them back in what they built. So, while the donor bike retains the robust parallel twin and modern electronics that make the T120 such a capable foundation, almost everything surrounding the engine has been reconsidered. The result is a machine that combines brat-style proportions with enough café racer influence to keep things looking purposeful rather than fashionable.
The transformation begins with the chassis. Tamarit cut and reworked the Bonneville’s rear subframe, dramatically changing the bike’s visual balance. The revised geometry allows for a much shorter tail section and a completely bespoke split dual-seat arrangement that sits lower and tighter against the frame. Combined with the abbreviated fenders and chunky wheel package, the bike gains a far more aggressive stance than the stock Triumph ever possessed.
A major contributor to that new silhouette is the wheel and suspension combo. Kineo wire wheels bring modern tubeless technology to a classic spoke design, while oversized Shinko rubber gives the bike its muscular footprint. Out back, fully adjustable YSS shocks provide the tuning flexibility needed to match the bike’s altered dimensions, while upgraded brake hardware in the form of semi-floating wave pattern discs give excellent stopping power.
The engine itself remains visually dominant, but Tamarit has enhanced its presence through careful detailing rather than wholesale modification. Selected components have been nickel-plated, creating contrast against the blacked-out chassis and engine cases. The polished surfaces catch the light without overwhelming the bike’s overall aesthetic, allowing the parallel twin to remain the centrepiece without descending into chrome excess. The Custom badges are a Tamarit favourite and help to identify the bike as one of their ‘signature’ series of builds.
Breathing duties are handled by a pair of forward-facing ram pod filters fitted with colour-matched green foam elements, an unusual touch that ties the induction system directly into the overall design theme. Exhaust gases exit through a fully custom Tamarit system featuring sweeping headers, integrated mid-pipes and black ceramic-style finishes. The brass-accented mufflers add a subtle visual highlight while delivering the deeper soundtrack expected from a large-capacity British twin.
Modern functionality hasn’t been ignored. Motogadget electronics feature heavily throughout the build, including a minimalist digital dashboard and discreet switchgear that significantly cleans up the cockpit. New handlebars, Kustom Tech controls and revised throttle hardware sharpen the rider interface, while a compact LED gyroscopic headlight provides contemporary illumination without disturbing the bike’s vintage-inspired appearance.
What ultimately makes ‘First’ work so well is its restraint. The deep English Racing Green paint, gold pinstriping and nickel-plated details could easily have become overbearing, yet Tamarit has balanced each element carefully. Even practical additions, such as the custom luggage supports, integrate cleanly into the design. In profile, the bike looks compact, muscular and cohesive, with every modification contributing to a singular vision rather than competing for attention. More than 200 builds into their journey, Tamarit continues to demonstrate why they remain one of the benchmark names in the Triumph custom world.
[ Tamarit ]