1/3/2024 0 Comments Triumph cafe racer![]() Installed using lightweight LSL CNC alloy triple clamps, the forks feature completely revised internals. Next came the suspension and although the front forks look standard, they are anything but. Changing the wheels also presented the opportunity to revise the brake setup so the Bonneville now wears dual front discs wearing Brembo 4 pots. In their place are tubeless CNC aluminium rims and hubs from Kineo. Reducing unsprung weight can deliver huge gains in handling and performance so the stock wheels went next. Mandrill had already removed a bunch of weight from the bike with the changes already mentioned, but they knew there were more pounds that could be shed. While this has definitely hopped up the Triumph’s dyno numbers the biggest gains on this bike can be attributed to weight saving.Īt 205kg the air-cooled Bonneville T100 doesn’t have a power to weight ratio anyone would be raving about. To then make the most out of the changes they remapped the fuelling. At the noisy end of the combustion cycle sits a 2-into-1 Zard exhaust system. With the airbox out of the way, Mandrill fit the carbs with free-flowing K&N air filters. In keeping with their cafe racer theme Mandrill have made some basic adjustments to turn the parallel twins purr into a growl. In its standard setup, this T100 was good for a modest 64bhp. Completing the bodywork is a trimmed-down, lightweight front fender and a leather-wrapped seat pad. With geometry adjusted to suit the T100 chassis, the tank looks right at home above the Hinkley parallel twin.įitting the alloy wasps tail cowl involved trimming and welding of the subframe and Mandrill’s hard work has resulted in an exceptional fit and finish. Hand-formed from aluminium the new tank was clearly inspired by the lines of Ducati’s 2006 Paul Smart 1000LE. To set the tone for the project Mandrill designed and built a one-off fuel tank and tail unit. With all that heft gone, it was time to start planning the rebuild. The steel fenders and huge front and rear light assemblies went in the parts bin too, followed by the stock rear sprocket cover, footpegs, handlebars, mirrors, gauge cluster and exhaust. Since the bike was destined to be a single-seater they then removed the passenger footpegs and structure that secures them to the frame. So along with its side covers the bulky airbox was extracted from the frame and swiftly thrown in the bin. The obvious place to start was the airbox. To prove his point Luo acquired an air-cooled Bonneville T100 with the intention of building a classic cafe racer – and that’s exactly what Mandrill Garage has achieved.Īfter the removal of the factory bodywork, Madrill looked for ways to lighten the Bonnevilles physical and visual load. The structure of the old model is also simpler and can be modified more concisely.” Coupled with a relatively cheap price, it is also a good choice for a custom build. We feel the old air-cooled engine has a stronger retro feel and is more suitable for modification. “So rather than customising the older model, many people choose to buy the new version. “After the launch of the new water-cooled Triumph Bonneville series, the old models with air-cooled engines feel a bit outdated,” says Luo. This impressive Bonneville T100 cafe racer is the work of Luo Hao and his team at the Chinese custom workshop, Mandrill Garage. One place where we didn’t expect to see a custom Bonneville T100 popping up however was in Beijing, China. As such the classically styled parallel twin has become somewhat of a poster child of the “new wave” custom scene. When it comes to aftermarket parts the popularity of the air-cooled Bonneville T100 has resulted in a gargantuan offering. Despite its no-frills engineering and basic accessories, the air-cooled Bonneville T100 has been one of John Bloor’s most significant model releases since he famously purchased the rights to the Triumph brand in 1983. When it was unveiled in 2000 it marked the return of the Bonneville after a 15-year hiatus. Despite the clear improvements and benefits of the newer water-cooled models, the air-cooled Triumph Bonneville T100 is destined to be a classic.
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