When a workshop has built a couple of hundred complete customs from the same model of motorcycle and then proceeds to say they’ve built something totally out of the box, you sit up and take notice. Spain’s Tamarit Motorcycles has done it all with the Triumph Bonneville T100 and for their latest build they had the support of a client who wanted something that really was different. The name says it all, ‘Sigma’ draws its essence from the use of the word in psychology, meaning an Alpha who is also somewhat of an introvert and most importantly draws their personal sense of value from within – they don’t need approval from the pack. And that is exactly what this T100 is, mixing the best of classic style with an urban attitude, to create a hybrid machine like no other ride to have rolled out of the Tamarit stable.
The Triumph Bonneville is one of the most instantly recognisable bikes out there today and it has always lent itself brilliantly well to customisation. But you only have to scroll through Tamarit’s website to see that nobody else has built such a diverse range of custom T100s. They have 125 documented builds on their website of the model, and around another 50 that have been kept from the public’s prying eyes for their owner’s privacy. Then you have all of the T100s that have come in for a few mods here and there, that are not counted as part of their complete builds. So having done the same thing so many times, this project, numbered 138, offered up a huge challenge to do something fresh and new.
The first intriguing aspect of Sigma to catch the eye is the way it is totally different and yet clearly shows off the parallel twin’s iconic silhouette. So, to get our head around this bike with multi-personalities, let’s dig down into exactly what has been done. To begin with, the Bonnie was taken back to a bare frame and the rear was cut off so that an ultra-short hooped subframe could be added. Knowing they intended to leave more negative space beneath the seat than they normally ever strive for, extra work went into making the rail and shock mount area cleaner than ever. A rear LED taillight has been frenched-in and this begins the process of hiding the electrics.
A new seat pan was next to be fabricated and then between the frame rails that it sits over, goes a custom box to hold the bike’s wiring and electrical components completely out of sight. Then it was time to turn to the looks and the seat over the rails certainly plays a big role, “providing continuity in the design, the front part of the seat has been embedded in the tank. This way, the lines of both parts merge and come together for a smoother design.” But this wasn’t done pure in upholstery, the tank has had the back chopped out so that the black leather seat sits within and then over the cavity for a beautiful fit and finish.
The stock tank has been given the full treatment, with the underside modified to sit lower over the frame, a machined billet cap added and the company’s custom enamel badges joining the party. To bring some classic styling to the unusual seat design, the green and cream colour scheme offers a timeless finish and is beautifully separated by a single gold stripe.
The same green is also splashed across the blade front fender on a custom mount and then gets added to a truly unique location. That is the rear wheel, which the company describes as being of a lenticular design. But there is actually an inner and outer skin, with the smaller diameter piece featuring the coloured finish and a chromed ring.
That chrome part is by no means the only plated part on the bike and the team is incredibly proud of the quality of their chrome work. On this bike alone, hundreds of hours went into stripping and dipping a ton of parts, as big as the rear swingarm and the lower fork legs, all the way through to some of the smallest nuts and bolts used on the build.
The shiny finish also goes on a host of Tamarit’s own parts, which begin at the front of the bike with the fully machined set of triple clamps. These hold a set of shortened forks, that have the upper sections protected by their ‘Pantera’ spring fork covers.
These along with the grilled-out front headlight almost give the suspension a springer vibe, for more of that vintage appearance. The diversity continues as a potential cafe racer look morphs with those big bobber tyres on wide spoked rims, instantly transforming things.
And because Sigma doesn’t care what others think, the start of the engine modifications take a big hit of scrambler and slap it on its side, with those beautiful twin high pipes with custom heat shields. The front of the engine is protected by Tamarit’s own bash plate, in chrome of course, and you get a set of pod filters and a crankcase filter thrown in for good measure too.
The flat bars feature a host of goodies that put the rider in charge, with a Kustom Tech lever package, mini switches, classic mirrors and Motogadget bar end indicators. A Motogadget control module is also at the heart of the new loom, and its ability to simplify the wiring is what makes it possible to keep it all hidden.
At the back of the bike, the guys chose to use Hagon Nitro shocks that look the part, slot between their chain guard and also allow for a large range of adjustment. This part of the bike alone shows what Sigma is all about, form, function and custom touches that work together to defy any single style. There is no cookie cutter here, just another wicked T100 for a very satisfied customer, whose custom truly is one of a kind.
