Some most of the prolific custom shops out there have found success by finding a winning formula, then replicating it countless times. But the real trick is to find new ways to cut in the same style, so it doesn’t get stale. And Tamarit Motorcycles has become an art.
Sure, if you browse their portfolio, you’ll see a common theme; inevitable, as they specialize in Triumph shops and manufacture a wide range of bolt mounting parts. But you will also see a clear progression. Store Spain has over 100 stores built and they are still finding new ways to do the job.
Their 104th build, a Triumph Bonneville was named ‘JBBS,’ proof of this. Take it apart and you’ll quickly discover ideas that have been borrowed from their previous builds — but put them together and it’ll stand on its own.
Based on the 2008 Triumph Bonneville T100, the JBBS was built for a client in sunny Mallorca – the part of Spain where many Tamarit constructions are located. The abstract was extensive, so Tamarit suggested a few ideas, all of which were enthusiastically accepted. They call it cafe racerbut we are looking for a bobber over current.
For starters, this 14-year-old Bonnie sits lower and longer than she did at the factory. Now, the car rolls on 16-inch wheels, wrapped in thick Dunlop Roadmaster tires without the cartoon motif. Custom-made discs wrap around the rear wheel, making it appear heavier than it actually is.
Up front is an auxiliary spring fork, originally designed for Harley-Davidson. Tamarit chose that particular model because it was more powerful than most, then modified it to match the Triumph. Mods include a custom mount for the front brake calipers and stout front fenders.
At the rear, the team extended the swingarm and fitted a pair of Hagon Nitro shock absorbers. The subframe is cut and re-crimped, then closed underneath with a custom blank sheet. It has an integrated housing with a pair of LED taillights.
Upstairs is a cafe racer-style saddle that mimics some of the designs in the Tamarit portfolio, but was built specifically for this bike. It’s covered in marine-grade vinyl, with a neat Tamarit badge riveted into the lid.
Right in front of the saddle is a Bonneville OEM gas tank, with some pretty good mods. The discerning eye will spot an aftermarket fuel cap and sleek Tamarit badges finished in black and chrome. But look up at the top, and you’ll notice a handcrafted ‘strap’ running on top.
Shaped from metal, it is welded to the barrel and doubles as the housing for a tiny digital speedo from Motogadget, with LED hazard warning lights. It’s a clever trick that helps keep the cockpit clean.
Located at the front are the Tamarit lift bars, which capture a large set of drawbars. They are equipped with Biltwell Inc. grips, along with new throttles and levers. The micro-switches, LED turn signals at the end of the bar, and the mirrors are all Motogadget parts – as is the Bluetooth-capable control box that the whole car has been wrapped up in.
Lighting is adaptive LED headlights, with an additional LED mounted higher up. (If you’re new to adaptive headlight technology, it ‘shifts’ the focus of the light as the bike leans through corners.)
Hanging from the side of the Triumph is a stunning two-in-one exhaust system, custom-built for Tamarit by Italian exhaust specialist Zard. The team also removed the air conditioning box — and treated the engine thoroughly once again, the same way they do in all of their projects.
Other changes include new footpegs, a Tamarit chain guard and a license plate holder mounted on the swingarm.
The spacious belly pan might look familiar, as it resembles the design Tamarit used on Triumph Thruxton cafe racer. The first one was originally created by sculpting clay to create a mold – but that mold now exists, so this one is a bit easier to manufacture. Shaped from fiberglass, it uses an asymmetrical design that wraps around the motor while emphasizing its curves.
Tamarit is top rated for using that extra real estate to make a superstar sale. Their customer at first wanted a red bike – but the second the store introduced this monochrome scheme to him, he loved it. And it’s easy to see why.
104 builds, Tamarit still knows how to keep things fresh. And if this Bonneville is a sign of what is to come, they will be in good form for a long time.
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