Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Custom Corner A SPEEDMASTER CUSTOM

Double Ditto!

A work of rolling & rideable art, with turbo and fuel injection tucked all up under it? I'm gettin' weak in the knees.

Outstanding job.

If you make any large pictures available as posted somewhere please let us know. I'd like to have a copy.

One word - Beautiful !

Tommy

Hey Carl,

Not my cup of tea at all. But, it is absolutley AWESOME for that style of chopper. Most of the custom bikes I have seen built around the Triumph motor leaves too much empty space between the motor/tank/seat. You did awesomely!

Thanks so much for tackling a custom bike with the awesome parrallel twin that Triumph has built!

Soren

Fred,

I'll get with you soon. Thanks for the offer of help. I've done Edelbrocks on a blower and I am working on a 108 c.i. big-bore Road Star custom with a pair of 38mm's on a custom made manifold. I just thought I'd like to try them on a Triumph.

Heavier than stock.

Lyle, I'm gonna do it alright. Just gotta get it done. Ever down this way, shout.

LJ,

I'm working on a gallery of my own within my website but being the dummy I am, I'm trying to figure out a good way to include it. I'll get the pics up soon on my website.

LJ,

I'm working on a gallery of my own within my website but being the dummy I am, I'm trying to figure out a good way to include it. I'll get the pics up soon on my website.

LJ,

I'm working on a gallery of my own within my website but being the dummy I am, I'm trying to figure out a good way to include it. I'll get the pics up soon on my website.

Hey Soren,

I understand about the cup of tea. I hope everyone is as understanding as y'all here on this forum have been. I agree with the sentiments...it's just important to understand who I am, where I come from and the one chance at the rodeo to do something I always dreamed of doing. I wanted to blow it out. I took the smallest displacement bike in the competition (cruiser/rookie class anyway...possibly the entire series) and made that engine the focal point instead of trying to cover it up. I didn't whine about it (much) and I dug deep inside to draw up this design from the beginning. It's pretty amazing to look at that drawing today and realize what I went through to get the bike on the floor and then to Vegas on time. And the best part...I feel if I can do it...anyone can.

I think most of us are just excited that you picked the best motor on the planet from the best bike on the planet to work with!

You can definitley tell a mega ton of work went into that bike! The name Ratikul definitley fits.

Soren

LOL...Thanks, Soren. I appreciate it. Here's another side shot from Vegas at the Hooters unveiling...shows the custom valve cover a little better I think.

Just to let you know Carl.
I'm in Vegas now and wearing my triumph shirts.
I've had several people come up and tell me about
YOUR bike!!!!
I nod and wink
and tell em "Ya, one HELL of a bike!!!"

I dont get it...how can u even call that a triumph...At that point...it doesnt even hold the name

What you talkin bout? If you look closely - it even says triumph on both sides!

And almost any publicity for triumph is good for you and me.


Personally, I think it is quite a work of art. Would I ride it - nah, I need my bikes to be a little more 'functional'.

In most places a motorcycle is defined by the engine.

simply beautiful, cool exhaust too.

Nicely done Carl,

I'm in awe of folks like you with mechanical & design imagination as it took me years to properly adjust the drive chain and pressure check the tyres. Kudos.

But won't the passenger get a serious case of "butt-burn", YEEoowseeer .

JH

that shows pauly junior and the OCC crew where to go
what i like about this bike is it is not a harley based motor
good work chaps keep them coming and try making a bolt on kit for the bonnie to use a 250/300 rear tyre i'd buy one

Fallout from BikeFest?! Wow...the crowd really seemed to be attracted to it the 2 days we were on Fremont Street but not only mine...there were 20 other very cool bikes there also. This was the only "new" Bonneville powered bike in the mix however.

Thanks for the report...

Mr Stallion,

It would seem that maybe you did not read the previous posts in this thread from the beginning from your reply. If you did, you would see the premise for this bike even coming to be what it is. Just to let you know quickly...I was given this bike by Triumph Motorcycles corporate and 180 days along with several parts supplier/sponsors of the TV series to see what kind of custom creation I could build as a "rookie" in the business. Bikes are not new to me...ground up custom for offer to prospective buyers was and is. There were 4 of us rookies, 9 pro shops and 9 sportbike shops. 22 total. Out of this came hands down the sickest mix of bikes I have ever witnessed anywhere on the planet...I am of course talking about television and magazines, bike shows, rallies, etc that I have personally viewed. They'll all be available for viewing soon on the metrictv.com website...it takes time to get it together.

Each one of these bikes will be wearing the year, make and model of the donated bike...mine was and is a 2004 Triumph SpeedMaster. It is registered and titled as that and it will always be that regardless of how anyone perceives it. I agree with FriarJohn and that's the heart of it...the engine will stand for identification.

One more note about the build...us rookies had certain rules we had to abide by. One of those rules was that we retain 25% of the original frame. I did that and probably more than 25% if you wish to include the frame support from the front and back of the head on the engine. The downtubes and bottom frame rail fronts, for example...cut off, turned upside down and these formed that nice tear-drop area under the seat which is outlining the mesh screen area. The neck which contains the VIN...retained as well. Many other parts of the frame were used for structural components and also as several adjustment areas i.e. the swingarm pivot clamps...used them for adjusters on either side of the jackshaft. One of the rear motor mounts...supports the "scoop" turbo plenum from underneath in it's original position on the engine. It was actually a challenge to stay ingenious enough throughout the build to accommodate these rules.

I hope that addresses your post about "don't get it". I followed the rules and did the best I possibly could. Along the way, I found the virtues of the Triumph twin and fell in love with the bike as well as the company as it is now. Because of this bike, I have, for the past 7-8 months or so, delved into the history of Triumph and it has bitten me in the butt. I have other Triumph projects in the works, some crazy radical and some just fun to jump on and ride. I've sought out sources for "older" Triumph stuff and am amazed at my chopper-loving self for the direction my likes are taking me. The Triumph bug has bit and I am just a new guy but I already see where the attraction is. I perceive that it affects different people in different ways and maybe age has something to do with it too. I'm still digging the new design but I'm reaching back to some old stuff too...history has it's importance in this too...and the history of the bike you saw in the first post of this thread...is completely Triumph.

Thanks for the interest, sir.

Thank you, Windy City friend...it does have TRIUMPH splattered all over it...hand tooled into the leather seat, belt guard in great big Triumph logo, both sides of the valve cover. I wanted it known as what it is...nothing else.

Thanks again melvin, pop and freedom. Exhaust is 304 stainless custom made obviously from about 5 90 degree bends and a little 2.25" straight. Welded in a stainless steel bung for the O2 sensor and voila'. It won't make your ears bleed...the turbo acts as a muffler or silencer of sorts and I imagine the exhaust collector we made to mount the turbo on does the same as well.

Melvin...that's probably the most response I get right there...about it not being the "v-twin" of normal use today. I had H-D guys coming to me, shaking my hand and thanking me for doing something, anything different than what has been done to death. Guess we just need to see some changes every now and then.

Bolt on kit for fat tire would not be hard at all. (I guess that's according to how you perceive "hard". ) I don't know how much call for it there would be but I'm sure some would want it. If I do one for me, I'll lose the shocks and use a single air-ride cylinder under the bike but it could be done with the shocks configured as they are. I look at it that anything is possible and then get out the torches.

thanxs fer yer response
the bike is beautiful if you do go with producing fat rear ends for standard bonnievilles you could give the twin shock or single shock option all we would need is a change of fender whoops back mudgaurd i am british after all
the bike is definatly a one off the bits on it are very well crafted and moonshine i think you are an artist not just an engineer
by the way is that an up-side down front end
you are a credit to customising

Hey Carl,
Still headed to Bitter End here in the next few weeks
but decided to go full blown and have a frame built to my
specs.

I want to thank you for givin' me some great ideas!!!!

AND I want to see you do that Bootleg frame!!!

You Friggin Hill Boys!!!

My dad came outta Tennessee and always told me
"If you want it and they don't build it then
get off your lazy arse and build it!"

One day soon I'm gonna stop in on ya!

Can't wait to see what you come up with Jeff. Any hints on the look you're going for, or do you want to just wait till you get the bike done and have an unveiling?

Well, it will be mostly an old school lookin chop
as far as the frame lay out. The biggest WOW will
be in the drive train. Lookin at 2 different ways to
go to get the 6 speed, maybe 7 speed.
Rear tire will be around 230. I don't like much bigger.
Tank will be a combo of new and old tanks cut, hammered,
and bent.
Now we get into the rear end.
I'm leaning towards a soft tail type. But that will be determined.
No side stand as I have a design that I been keepin'
under my hat for over 10 years now.
I use to talk to a bunch of guys doin older Triumphs
years ago and they took my ideas and claimed them.
So I'm a bit tight lipped now days.
Once I get the frame started and set on the powertrain.
Here is where all aspects get shown!
If you see it anywhere else, it's been ripped off!!

Well, Big Daddy will fix you up.

BootLeg...the BootLeg Bonnie is in the process. It was one of 5 projects but it's risen to the top of the heap at the moment.

Never know what might come out of these hills...if you're down this way, Buckeye...give a shout.

To those who would crap on this concept, I think you need to understand this isn't about designing a new production model for Triumph, or creating a commuter bike or boulevard cruiser - it's about taking the form of two wheeled transportation to the outer limits of ones imagination, then oh, by the way - make it start, run, and be rideable, and oh - yeah - you've only x days to get it done, and while you're at it - Make it flawless in fit and finish - no welding gobs, paint runs, or otherwise non-symetric parts & pieces, if you can help it.

To put it in perspective - To compare my abilities to MoonShine's with my 30 plus years as a truck mechanic, & general gearhead, I'd say in comparison, I'm not worthy to sweep this guy's garage.

Holy sweet mother of pearl!!!! This is a work of freakin' art. Those guys from West Coast could learn a lesson or two from this one. I realize these things aren't really meant to ride in the conventional 'everyday' transportation manner, so I can appreciate it for what it is, rather than what it isn't.

Way to fly the Triumph banner!!! WAY cool!!!

I know that what I'm planning won't please everyone.
But what I'm doing will please ME!
I'm not under the gun to get er done in x amount of days
and there are MASSIVE amounts of machine work, never done
before, to pull off.
I can't wait to see Carls Bootleg!!!
That frame started me on this project which has taken
several MAJOR turns!
Some will like it, I expect some to slam me.
Bottom line is, I don't care!
It's mine! I'm paying for it, I'm designing it, I'm building
a butt load of the parts, and I'm painting and doing the
seat! So there!!!
Best of all, I will ride it!!!

I am new to owning a bike my 2002 America is my first i turned 44 oct 1st. i looked for a very long time at bikes, HD, kaw, honda, all of them i looked on the internet at jeese james, occ, all of them. i was feeling like i would never find a bike that i could feel good about. One day i thought Triumph, i live in Memphis Tn. and came accross mine in a shop in PA. one look that was it. i have had it for about 8 months now and my friends with HD night trains and glides, road kings love my bike i had a guy try ti swap his 2006 honda 1100 for mine i said hell no i have this bike till i can't ride anymore. i have done all my one work on it rejet, lowered i even cut my stock seat this bike is me, i can be riding and people will roll their windows down to yell cool bike. I think MR. Moonshine has put this old name to good use his bike is bad ******, these bikes are bad ******, yeah other bikes out there are cool but these are special, look at a old trump boober and then look at anyother bobber all i can say is wicked!!!!!!!

LJ,
That's a great post...to me anyways. It expresses exactly my sentiments. I'm enthused about ALL the different "styles" or renditions of this platform. I just had the opportunity and I did what I wanted to with it regardless of what had been done before. I laid the axe to the tree and let the chips fall where they may. I'm mostly proud of the fact that I stayed true to my original design drawings over the 6 month span. That was not easy to do with everyone telling you to do this or do that all the while trying to be neighborly and at least acting like I was listening to them.

As for you sweeping floors...you missed on that one. Sweeping floors is what I do best & I'm sure anyone with 30 years in ANY profession has learned a lot about many things. Thanks for your words.

Thanks JC. Art? I didn't set out to do that but I'll take it. Some guys make artwork out of mowing grass and clipping hedges...

Dog, Thanks for sharing and the kind words about the project.

Ride safe, Bro.

Carl,
Just to let you know.
On my way back to Ohio from The Space Coast
I AM stopping by!!!

I got the Retard Van so Ya better tie stuff down!!

When will that be exactly? Make sure I'm around before detouring off I-75. I've got a few requests for the bike to be displayed and then there's Biketoberfest if I can swing it. This weekend Lexington MotorSports in Lexington KY wants it for their grand opening of their new facility there off I-75. I'm gonna run it up there Thursday and let em have it for a few days.

Note: Did you know...there is only ONE Triumph dealer in the whole state of Kentucky last time I checked? And that is Lexington?

Moonshine, great job on this... Finally, a custom that....well, is actually custom.. Is there a way to find out where you will be showing this bike. I need to stop by & shake your hand.
Will you be anywhere near Charlotte?