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.
