The world of motorcycles has always been a realm of personal expression and individuality. Among the many iconic motorcycles, the custom Triumph Bonneville Bobber holds a special place. This guide will delve into the art of customizing your own Triumph Bonneville Bobber, a machine that combines the classic legacy of the 1968 Triumph Bonneville with modern customization possibilities.
The Iconic 1968 Triumph Bonneville
The 1968 Triumph Bonneville 650 is the cornerstone of the Bonneville legacy. Known for its powerful engine and timeless design, it paved the way for generations of motorcycle enthusiasts. Understanding its history is crucial to appreciating the Bobber's lineage.
Todd’s Custom Triumph Bonneville Bobber - The Original Idea
The bike featured in this article has the engine that was disassembled and rebuilt by Todd in Lowbrow Customs' popular Triumph 650 Motorcycle Engine Disassembly & Rebuild video series! A few years back Todd was cruising on Chopcult classifieds and found a smoking deal on a matching numbers frame and engine 1968 Triumph.
The guy he purchased the bike from was even nice enough to deliver it to the shop when we were in Medina, Ohio, which made Todd’s life extremely easy. Initially there was no real plan for the build due to Todd having two other projects on his lifts in his home garage at the time. So it sat and collected dust for a handful of months.
Todd in the first episode of Lowbrow's Triumph 650 Motorcycle Engine Disassembly and Rebuild video series.
As fall 2017 inched closer to winter, the marketing team here at Lowbrow Customs had a great idea and pitched it to Todd. “Let’s film a start-to-finish teardown and rebuild of a Triumph 650 engine,” I proclaimed to Todd.
Though he seemed hesitant at first, he gracefully accepted the project knowing full well he was going to be getting paid to work on one of his own motors. He also had the perfect motor for the rebuild, and it would work well for a new custom Bonneville bobber. That dusty 1968 650 he got off ChopCult.
Sometimes you just need an extra push to get a project going. Todd also got super excited because he realized he could use this video series to help solve a lot of his customer’s issues, and concerns when it came to rebuilding these engines he loves so much.
Todd's signature "Woooooooo"
Custom Triumph Bonneville Bobber Build - The Filming Process
If you think filming a series of episodes with Todd rebuilding a motor would be something quick and only take a few months, well... you are wrong! Shooting and editing took almost two years as we had to film in between normal work at Lowbrow, racing, events, holidays, and vacations.
Two freakin' years to film the Triumph 650 Engine Disassembly and Rebuild series but in the end it was all worth it. To illustrate the time it took us to complete this project, Todd had built 5 other bikes in the time it took to film and edit the engine rebuild series!
That eccentric hill climber springer front end. Have you seen anything else like it?
In the middle of filming the series Todd saw a peculiar springer hanging out in the back of the shop. He inquired with the boss man Tyler, if he could take it off his hands since it was sitting in the shop so long. With some skillful negation, Todd purchased the springer off of Tyler and it only came with one stipulation. It had to go on the engine rebuild series bike! I remember when he brought the front end to his home garage and put it onto the frame. It was cold as hell but I didn’t care I was too damn excited on how it was coming together.
The pair of Coker Firestone tires make this bike just look super aggressive and keep with the theme of loud, low, and mean just like the old man who rides it.
With the series complete Todd felt extra motivated to get the bike done. Going with a set of beefy 5.00-16” Firestone Deluxe Champion Tires by Coker on the front and rear, it immediately made the bike into a killer roller.
Although Todd can design / fab some parts up on his own when he needs to, he’s never claimed to be a master at fabrication. He hit up our good friend Tim Fiorucci of Fiorucci Fabrications to weld up some tabs, bungs, solo seat posts and work his magic into modifying a BSA A7 oil tank to work with the last David Bird hardtail in the land.
Lastly Todd spruced up the already eccentric springer by getting a hold of Front Street Cycles to make a set of one-off handlebars.
Todd’s Custom 1968 650cc Triumph Bonneville Bobber
The Black Custom Triumph Bobber - Final Form
Once the bike came back from Tim’s shop all that was really left was to get some powder coat, paint and wire the bad boy up. Black powder coat with a Hot Rod Black paint for the tins to keep with the tough, mean, and aggressive look continuing throughout the entire bike.
One thing Todd’s bike never does is fail on classiness and keeping true to a certain style. From front to back and everything in-between this three year long project oozes Todd’s style and yet is different from all of his other builds. It’s the first kick of any kind of bike and I’m sure this one may stay in Todd’s garage for a long time, maybe even longer than it took to film that engine rebuild series.
That first ride with Todd and this 1968 Triumph was really special.
Getting to ride with Todd and shoot the bike after he finally got it running was such a rewarding experience for me. I spent over two years documenting its heart being torn down and rebuilt. The time invested in it was different from Todd's but I feel emotionally attached to this bike just as much as he probably does. A lot of work, a lot of bonding time, a lot of cold days in the garage, and a lot of discoveries happened because of this motorcycle.
In the beginning I knew nothing about Triumphs and was mediocre at filming, but by the end it taught me so much more about motors, editing, even camera techniques, and lighting. I know this bike is more than just another one of Todd’s build for me. It’s a staple in both of our lives and I’m extremely grateful to have had a part in its legacy. Thanks Todd for letting me be a part of something super special and capture your knowledge as an enthusiastic custom bobber builder on film to share with the world.
Did you enjoy this article? Then head over for another Lowbrow Spotlight on a Custom Triumph Bobber build. And if you want to build your own motorcycle, we have all the parts you need for a vintage Triumph motorcycle build.
Words and Photos by: Mikey Revolt
Todd’s Custom 1968 650cc Triumph Bonneville Bobber
General
Owner: Todd Muller
Year/Make/Model: 1968
Fabrication: Fiorucci Fabrications
Build Time: way too long… 3 years
The heart and soul of this bike, the 650cc Triumph Engine that was used in the Youtube video series.
Engine
Year/Type/Size: 1968 Triumph 650cc
Carburetor: Dual Amal Carburetors
Exhaust: British Standard Triumph Upswept Drag pipes cut off at bend and used EMGO Upswept Cocktail Shaker Mufflers
Air Cleaner: Amal cone filters
The B side looks so good on a Triumph.
Frame
Year/Type: 1968
Rake/Stretch: no
W&W Cycles Hillclimber Springer front end.
Front End
Type / Brand: W&W Cycles hillclimb springer
5.00-16" Firestone Deluxe Champion Tires by Coker.
Wheels & Tires
Front Size: 16” Wheel / 5.00-16” Firestone Deluxe Champion Tire by Coker
Rear Size: 16” Wheel / 5.00-16” Firestone Deluxe Champion Tire by Coker
The Hot Rod Flat Black paint really allows for all the other parts to pop and still give that classic look.
Finish/Paint
Paint by: Collision of Green
Plating/Polishing: Not much / owner
Powder coat: ACE Powdercoating
Lowbrow Customs Beck Grips and EMGO Clutch Lever.
Accessories
Front Fender: Who needs that
Rear Fender: Lowbrow Customs Manta Ray Fender
Gas Tank: Stock T-100
Handlebars: Front Street Cycle / custom
Grips: Lowbrow Customs Beck Grips
Mirrors: No matter whats behind me.
Hand Controls: EMGO Blade Clutch Lever
Foot Controls: stock
Headlight: Cycle Standard Springer Repop Headlight
Taillight: Crocker repop
Turn Signals: What are those?
License Mount: It’s part of the tail light.
Custom Solo Seat: Sinister Seats
There is nothing better than riding on your own custom bike.
Todd’s Custom 1968 650cc Triumph Bonneville Bobber.
Todd having fun riding his Custom 1968 650cc Triumph Bonneville Bobber.
Todd riding his Custom 1968 650cc Triumph Bonneville Bobber.
Todd’s Custom 1968 650cc Triumph Bonneville Bobber.
Closer look at Todd’s black Custom 1968 Triumph Bonneville 650cc Bobber.
The black paint really makes this custom 1968 650cc Triumph Bonneville Bobber pop.
650cc Triumph Engine.
Foot controls.
License Plate Mount: It’s part of the tail light.
Everything is well-fabricated and made to match each other.
Gas Tank: Stock T-100.
Springer front end with a classic springer headlight.
Handlebars: One-off by Front Street Cycle.
This custom Triumph Bobber will stay in Todd's garage for a long time.
Todd used his experience and knowledge to make sure all the parts had the proper fit and finish on this Triumph bobber.
The W&W Hillclimber springer front end has Colony Machine springer top plugs installed.
Cycle Standard Springer Repop Headlight.
Everything on Todd's Triumph bobber is well thought out, organized and tidy.
Everything on Todd's Triumph bobber is well thought out, organized and tidy.
Todd’s Custom 1968 650cc Triumph Bonneville Bobber.
Todd’s Custom 1968 650cc Triumph Bonneville Bobber.
Todd with his custom 1968 650cc Triumph Bonneville Bobber.
Todd’s Custom 1968 Triumph Bonneville 650cc Bobber.
Todd kick started his custom 1968 Triumph 650 bobber..
Todd heading off on a ride on his custom 1968 Triumph 650cc bobber.
The Art of Customization
Customizing a motorcycle is an art form. We'll delve into the creative process, from envisioning your dream bike to making it a reality. Discover how to harness your imagination and turn it into a customized Triumph Bonneville Bobber.
Stay tuned for the upcoming chapters, where we'll cover everything from selecting the base model to addressing legal considerations and maintenance. Your journey to owning a unique custom motorcycle has just begun.
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