Finished in an Orca like monochrome paint scheme, is a custom late model air-cooled EFI Triumph Bonneville built by Kuala Lumpur based Kerkus Motoworks, bike builders perhaps better known for their custom Honda’s, Suzuki’s, and a 1963 200cc Tiger Cub, a build is definitely worth taking a closer look at. This modern Triumph build was commissioned by Triumph Malaysia to participate in the annual Art Of Speed biker build off.
A custom Modern Classic Twin with a heavily modified subframe cut right back to the rear shock mount reinforcements. No loops here, the modified frame is finished simply with an aluminium bracket incorporating an integrated strip L.E.D stop-light and turn signals. Above, sits an industrial looking ‘floating effect’ seat cowl, adorned with the Triumphs registration, and upholstered in black Alcantara fabric.
Below the seat lurks a custom-made aluminium battery box containing the Twins ignition and a W-standard lithium battery, both helping to save weight and space.
Space now being used to fit a set of custom air filters. Filters that when combined with a British-Customs exhaust system allow this Bonneville to breathe more easily, and of course, sound like you would hope.
The frame geometry on the previous generation of air-cooled Hinckley Triumph Twins is known for giving a ‘broken back’ appearance. The stock seat goes some way to compensate for this, but customs seats often don’t. An answer which the guys at Kerkus Motoworks and others had devised, is to raise the rear of the tank to match the angle of the rear subframe.
At the front, the fork stanchions and yokes were painted graphite grey and topped off with a Drag Specialties bottom mounted bates style headlight and numberplate. Up top are now Tommaselli adjustable clip-on’s fitted with Triumph racing brake & clutch levers, accompanied by Rizoma’s handlebar grips and brake reservoir.
The stock speedo has been retained on this CANbus EFI model Twin, though sensibly relocated out of the way to below the tank on the left-hand side via a custom bracket.
Adding to the Triumph’s now sportier nature, are a set of custom made rear-set brackets, pushing the new Rizoma racing footpegs as far back as is comfortable.
To give this Bonneville a more aggressive and cooler stance, the team at Kerkus Motoworks replaced the standard fork springs with shorter progressive items, with the rear receiving shorter sprung Öhlins effectively dropping this Bonneville onto a set of Honda ComStar sports rims,19″ front/18” rear, fitted with Avon Roadrider Tyres ( 3.25-19 Front / 120/90-18 Rear )
If you want to see more of Kerkus Motoworks work, check out the links below
