Last updated:24th August 2024

For its first custom project, Triumph, South Africa (Johannesburg) turned a customer’s Bonneville T120 Black, into a super-nimble and assertive roadster – a perfectly adapted machine for a lively urban commute.

Inspiration: Bonneville T120 Custom Build

Triumph Bonneville T120 Rear end from a distance — Triumph SA – Bonneville T120 rear end from a distance Image: Dirhan Bester

Many people during this pandemic, whether inspired by art, film, literature and or individuals have immersed themselves in new pursuits. Alternatively, (with renewed fervour) delved into existing pursuits.

Within these activities, most have found comfort and diversion, while anticipating the return of a world that (somewhat) resembles its pre-pandemic incarnation.

For (one rider) Racuni Naidoo in Johannesburg, South Africa, that merely meant dusting off the cover of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. Reading it again (after 35 years), then duly commissioning his first custom build – his only two-wheel-machine as the base platform.

In turn, it gave a team of technicians the opportunity to undertake their first full (albeit light) custom build together. And in the process of shaping metal and fettling components bore camaraderie.

T120 Custom Build

T120 custom from above parked on stone tiles — Overhead shot of the Triumph Johannesburg’s Bonneville T120 custom – Image: Drihan Bester

Base Platform

Triumph SA, Johannesburg was chosen to undertake the build. So, perhaps unsurprisingly a liquid-cooled, Triumph Bonneville T120 Black (MY18 – registered in 2019) was the chosen base for the build.

Regardless, the Bonneville T120’s classic looks combined with modern tech and reliability make it an excellent base from which to start. In the looks department, it’s on 3rd base already and mostly just requires individualisation rather than prettification.

For wrenchers, the British twin is easy to work with and comes with a deep catalogue of parts. Meaning, that a comparatively unique look can be achieved with relatively little outlay. Or equally, a light custom build can be augmented with Triumph’s existing line of CNC machined parts. That’s probably why both amateur tinkers and professional bike builders like it.

In the case of Racuni’s bike, the approach was the former. And naturally, the team utilised local expertise to finesse the build. But besides that, it tapped into the global ecosystem of aftermarket custom parts, to create its vision.

Straightforward Brief

Rear-shot-of-T120-from-stairs — Rear shot of Triumph SA, T120 build from above – Image: Drihan Bester

But… Covid Delays

The build was completed at the backend of 2020, around nine months after Racuni and Paul Jacobs (Triumph Johannesburg’s, Technical Manager) began discussions. For a comparatively non-technical build, this seems quite a lag – but for that, you can thank the impact of COVID-19.

Nevertheless, the brief was modest and straightforward: 1. Lower the stance and shave off weight, to make the bike more agile for urban commuting. 2. Create a stripped-back look that echoes the aesthetic cues of the 1950s and 60s cafe racers.

T120 front left from above on stone – Image: Drihan Bester

Research and discussions to gauge the feasibility of ideas and aesthetic aspirations followed. And yet, that combined had little effect in setting any plans in stone. As such the process evolved naturally. But (likely inevitably) into a custom build more substantial than maybe originally conceived.

Experimentation with parts and components was the modus operandi. The final look, a culmination of precisely that. In this case much to the benefit of this parallel-twin’s looks and manoeuvrability. And indeed the merriment of its owner.

Bonneville T120 Custom: Front End & Suspension

Minimalist front end of Triumph SA T120 Black custom- Image: Drihan Bester

The team commenced the build with gusto, and readily tackled one of the main aspects of the brief – the lowering of the bike’s centre of gravity. To that end, Wilbers Performance Suspension in Germany was selected and then primed.

Sometime thereafter (following a production delay) due to the Covid-19 lockdown, Wilbers built and delivered the custom suspension that appears on the bike.

The front forks and rear shocks were then combined with a set of Pirelli MT60RS, 160/70 and 110/80 tyres (rear [17″] and front [18″] respectively). Instantly the bike was lowered by 25mm.

And pertinently, without compromising the motorbike’s electronic systems: ABS, TC or ride-by-wire. Additionally, the front and rear shocks were precisely tuned to the rider’s weight.

Custom headlight brackets — Custom headlight bracket of the T120 Black – Image: Drihan Bester

Bulbous indicators that come as standard with Triumph’s Modern Classic range were supplanted by a discreet set of LED lights. Almost imperceptibly they’re attached to the headlight bracket. The original front fender was shortened by Paul and painted in a matt black tone that matches the rest of the bike. Along with the CNC front brake reservoir cap and handlebar clamp, it contributes to a decidedly minimalist front end.

Motogadget LED indicator, mounted on the custom-painted motorcycle headlight bracket with grill — Virtually imperceptible, Motogadget LED indicator, mounted on the custom-painted headlight bracket – Image: Drihan Bester

A simple but compelling feature arose from the choice to cerakote the cluster rings in satin black. It now offers a cool contrast to the brushed aluminium in which the gauges are housed.

T120 Cerokote Cluster Rings — Bonneville T120 cerakote Cluster Rings – Image: Drihan Bester

The front-end has been morphed into a far more assertive roadster, with a brat-esque appearance. Particularly, noticeable when viewing the lowered ignition hub, instrument cluster and grill-covered headlight. The latter is affixed with a blacked-out CNC machined mount.

Short adjustable levers, bar-end-mirrors from Triumph’s catalogue – echo the colour scheme of various components used throughout the build and in turn further enhance the minimalist credentials.

Bobbed Rear End

Rear third of T120 custom build (lhs) - Image: Drihan Bester

Bobbed and hooped Macco Motors rear tail kit for Bonneville T120 Custom

Moving on to the rear, the team were keen to echo the design lines of yesteryear’s cafe racers. And much discussion and deliberation were had on deciding the shape of the rear.

Though, what was clear to all was that it would be shortened. And for that, the team ultimately looked towards Cádiz Spain; specifically towards Macco Motors. It was decided that an off-the-shelf rear-end kit (designed by the custom outfit) should form the basis of the backend.

However, (once again) Covid-19 restrictions and distance conspired together to cause a hefty delay. So, delivery of the kit proved to be far more protracted than anticipated. The package eventually made its way to the workshop covering many more than the usual 4,800 miles between Johannesburg and Cadiz. Finally, arriving via London and Nairobi.

Macco-rear-frame-hoop-with-flush-mount-tail-light-square-on-shot-4-5

Macco rear frame hoop with flush-mount tail light angle

It’s at this point the build both literally and figuratively began to take shape. Immediately with the help of a local metalworker, the frame was bobbed and hooped. Then a flush-mounted LED taillight was integrated. An up-curved, diamond-stitched, leather seat (in black) and a rear fender (again from Macco Motors, also in black) complete the rear in a stealthy way.

It’s a minification effect that further enhances the sportier poise of the machine.

Macco Handmade diamond stitch leather seat for Bonneville T120 Custom — Handmade, diamond-stitched leather seat by Maccco Motors – Image: Dirhan Bester

Additionally, with Paul’s handcrafted meshed, circular-drilled, side covers, the rear also achieves a more rugged finish, albeit in a firmly refined way.

T120 Custom hand-drilled, meshed side covers – Image: Drihan Bester

Bonneville T120 Custom Components & Pipes

For the pipes, the Bonnie’s standard peashooters were swapped-out. Initially, a set of end cans from a Speed Twin were requisitioned and repurposed to great effect (a far deeper exhaust note). Nevertheless, in the pursuit of a leaner machine, in keeping with its urban roadster/racer aesthetic, shorties were sought.

T120 Stealth Performance Custom Shorty Pipes

Stealth Performance (an aftermarket exhaust specialist in South Africa) was engaged. And its custom low-slung, short exhaust works incredibly well with the black headers. There isn’t anything superfluous about the short pipes and such bulk is further reduced. As a result, the back third of the bike is decidedly spartan. With its exposed swingarm, it’s super-clean.

Bonneville T120 Custom - rear suspension and tyres chain guard — Clean finish – Macco Motors Rear-end kit- Image: Drihan Bester

Parts and components for the most part received a blacked-out, Cerakote finish either in a satin black or graphite. However, the engine components are finished in a slightly more industrial powder coat.

The tank cap, bar-end mirrors, rings on the gauges and levers were also dressed in graphite black along with a few other small touches.

Overall – after stripping the motorbike and adding the new parts an outstanding 14 kilograms was shaved off the mass. And with that newfound agility – ticked another box set within the brief.

Fuel Tank & Paint

Pinstripe tank finish on the Bonneville T120 Custom by Kicker, South Africa - Image: Dirhan Bester — Pinstripe tank finish on the Bonneville T120 by Kicker, South Africa – Image: Drihan Bester

Paintwork is so very often the maker and breaker of custom builds, regardless of ingenuity. So the team took no chances and outsourced the work. Notable paint workshop Kicker Paints was given the task of setting an eye-catching scheme for the build. And paying particular attention to texture as well as colour, it didn’t disappoint.

Laser-cut tank badges

A cool and rather quirky touch is the mismatched laser-cut badges on either side of the tank. For those, Paul roped in an engineer friend and Scrambler 1200 XE rider (armed with CAD). The friend had previously created a few similar, neat pieces for the Scrambler 1200 that Paul greatly admired and thought would work well on this build. He wasn’t wrong.

On the right of the fuel tank, Triumph’s traditional logo can be found, finished in a textured black powder coat – similar to the 1200cc power plant. On the left, is its more modern counterpart (the triangular emblem), finished in smooth Graphite black – mirroring the other cerakote work.

Close-up-of-custom-tank-badge-new-emblem

On reflection, the mixing of the two logos appears perfectly apt. Maybe a metaphor/celebration of the seemingly incongruous nature of a machine, that is both classic and modern.

Reception?

While this build may not be as elaborate as a few customs you may see elsewhere. The work, however, is as conscientious as many and has yielded an impactful outcome. More importantly, it meets the objectives of the customer.

Bonneville T120 Custom riding through Johannesburg South Africa — Right side shot of Bonneville T120 custom riding through Johannesburg – Image: Richard Harper

According to Racuni with the weight saving and altered stance, the bike “… has much-improved agility and manoeuvrability…” and the “… end result surpassed all expectations both functionally and aesthetically.”

More so, with this machine as his daily ride, the complexities and anxieties inherent within modern city living seem to have dissolved into the background.

For the build team and wider Triumph family in Johannesburg, it garnered tangible excitement throughout the process.

Now with a few lessons learned, (particularly around logistics unique to South Africa’s location and sourcing of parts), it’s created a plain thirst for future builds.

A second build is already on the cards. All it seems is needed is a donor – a Triumph Street Scrambler 900.

Something, suggests it won’t be too difficult to source such a bike – and equally that it’ll be a looker – if Paul and Racuni have anything to do with it.