'Custom' Triumph Thunderbird
Based on Triumph's middleweight 1600cc cruiser, this café racer custom bike looks the businessWhen we tested the new Truimph Thunderbird on local roads back in October 2009, it was clear the 1600cc parallel twin was gunning for the big boys in the custom cruiser market: Harley-Davidson.
But this particular creation is less an H-D rival than a classic Ducati competitor.
Created by Sivert Raask of Sweden, this 1.6-litre twin cylinder custom motorcycle gains a very different new look via replacement seat, tank, fairing and even exhausts.
Interestingly, the tank is from a Ducati 900, while the seat is a custom made unit that lends the bike a retro look.
Sivert told Motorcycle News UK that café racers "…have always been my favourite bikes."
"Back in 1967 I bought a boat ticket from Gothenburg to London, bought a used Norton Atlas, then brought it home and rebuilt it as a café racer. I did the same with a Commando.
"More recently I've built café racer versions of the latest Bonneville and Rocket III so when I first saw the new Thunderbird I immediately thought it would be perfect to make into a café racer," added Sivert.
"It was finished just before Christmas, the only problem is I haven't had a chance to ride it yet."
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