Miles Ridden: 3200
The marketing department at Triumph is a clever bunch, and it was through its indirect suggestion that I initially gathered a plan for the Speed Triple. In its advertisements, the Speed Triple is shown without mirrors or license-plate hanger and the radiator shrouds are blacked out. With these simple mods the bike immediately takes on a more aggressive stance and reminded me of a caf racer of yesteryear.
The goal going in was to remove the parts that didn't make sense and add a few that did. With basic bolt-ons the Triumph made a pretty radical transformation from standard streetfighter to aggressive street killer.
It looks meaner, sounds nastier and rides better with a minor collection of aftermarket parts, or so I think anyway. I've had a fair amount of criticism for the blue accents, but the only other option was to go all black, and that just seemed a bit too obvious. Given a bit more time I'd have powdercoated the exhaust hanger and fork tubes black, built a fender eliminator and replaced the stock engine bolts with some blue anodized ones. Other than that she's pretty much done
Some of the modifications i made didn't initially seem very practical, and after living with those decisions for several months I still haven't fully made up my mind. The two parts in question are the Barracuda exhaust and Woodcraft clipons of course.
The exhaust looks killer and sounds amazing, but on highway rides it gets annoying, and through the canyons it's begging for a ticket. It's usually a "good" loud, but sometimes that's just too much for anybody.
The clip-ons are cool adjustable units that would be great on a sportbike, but they changed the very nature of the Speed Triple from its natural street-fighter stance to a caf racer-style bike-it looks great but isn't very comfortable.
The wheels are hands down my favorite modification. i love their looks and the noticeably lighter weight is an obvious bonus. Had I been able to source higher-spec forks and a rear shock the rolling chassis would be ready to race, but for street use the wheels alone vastly improved looks and performance.
Parts Info:
www.smfcycles.com
www.valtermoto.com
www.maxxis.com
www.woodcraft-cfm.com
www.galferusa.com
www.triumphmotorcycles.com
www.pazzoracing.com
www.forged-wheel.com
Longterm Test John Zamora : Kawasaki Zx-14
Miles Ridden: 4000
Living day-to-day with an open class sportbike is both enjoyable and a challenge. When the roads are clear and you can really lay into the throttle there is no better feeling than 170 galloping ponies begging to be set free. on the flip side, when pushing the bike around at a crowded bike night, it takes every bit of concentration not to be "that guy" who drops his bike in the parking lot.
My original intention with Big Blue was to make a hot rod of a sportbike that brought back memories when cars were big, fast and covered in chrome. For the past several months I have been the subject of both ridicule and praise for my never-ending search for all things shiny (more ridicule, but my mom likes the chrome anyway). Along the way, the bike was a Frankenstein of half-chrome, half-stock awkwardness that for many months just didn't look right.
Everything finally came together, ironically just before the bike has to go back. it has finally reached the original concept i had when i started-a long, stretched, fat-tired fun box covered in the stuff that makes people smile. If I had more time I would chrome a few more bits and pieces, but overall the '50s-era look is evident.
EK 530ZZZ Chain:
Jackshafts take two chains, and eK's proven strength handled the job easily. www.ekchain.com
Roaring Toyz Accessories:
There's a host of parts scattered over the bike, from fork caps, kickstand, front fender chrome, plugs and license plate. www.roaringtoyz.com