Air-Cooled R: 988cc Triumph Thruxton R
For Sale: Air-cooled Thruxton R from Trident Cycles…
Some of our very favorite builds start with a “What if?” question in the mind of the builder. In this case, Andrew Graham of Virginia’s Trident Cycles looked at his 2005 Triumph Thruxton 900 — his first full-size motorcycle — and wondered:
After all, in 2016, Triumph introduced the liquid-cooled Thruxton R 1200 to great acclaim — a high spec, performance-oriented version of the Thruxton:
But there was never an R version of the original air-cooled, carb-fed Thruxton. So Andrew set out to create one for himself, building it up over the course of a decade — a constant evolution and iteration that became more and more track-focused as Andrew’s interests leaned that way.
Other highlights include the 988cc / 92-hp engine from Triumph Performance USA, Keihin FCR39 Carbs, MotogpWerks / CalFab braced swingarm, upgraded brakes, LSL steering damper, Discacciati rearsets, and more.
Andrew says the bike is an absolute hoot on public roads — a raw, loud, one-of-one modern classic that’s lighter and nearly as powerful as the water-cooled Thruxton R:
These days, Andrew focuses most of his attention on the track with his race bikes, so it’s time for him to let this one go to fund the next project. That means you could own this well-sorted air-cooled R. You can see the sales listing here and contact Andrew for more details.
Below, we talk to Andrew from more details on the build.
I’ve been messing with motorcycles for over a decade now. This is the third bike that BikeBound has featured, which is really cool for me. My motorcycling addiction actually started with this motorcycle, as it was the first motorbike I purchased. I’ve owned, worked on, and built quite a few motorbikes over the years, ranging from modern classics like this to 1950s dirt racers, to modern road race bikes like a Ninja 400. Nowadays most of my time is spent working on my race bikes and either building one for the next season or doing in between race prep.
2005 Triumph Thruxton R.
The original donor
The bike was built for me. It didn’t always start out like this; in fact, this is probably Rev 4 or 5 of this bike. I bought this bike a decade or so ago, having never owned or ridden a full size motorcycle before. It was bone stock when I bought it and then it slowly started getting farkled: fender eliminator kit, turn signals.
“Farkled”
Then came new Carrozzeria wheels. After that I purchased a Daytona 675 to strip for parts to build a Thruxton R with the forks and brakes.
It’s been a near never-ending process. I thought it was finished a few years ago after I had relocated all the electronics and put in the 988cc motor. Over the last year it’s received its last few touches.
My street riding has significantly declined over the years and I’m doing more track days and racing. The last round of upgrades was all for the track. The CalFab swingarm, proper race rotors and pads, 520 chain conversion was all to take it to the track. It’s only done a half day at the track, but it was still a blast and a TOTALLY different experience from my other track bikes
I built this bike before the newer water-cooled Thruxton R came to market. The idea behind building it was a “What could the factory have built?”
Originally it had all Triumph parts. I had purchased a Daytona 675 to strip forks, brakes, etc. to build this. Then it received some additional upgrades for the race track: new swingarm, better brakes, an exhaust that had a bit more ground clearance.
Motor:
2001 988cc Motor Built By Triumph Performance USA – 92HP
Keihin FCR39 Carbs
British Customs 2-1 Exhaust
TPUSA Igniter
TPUSA Cams
520 Chain Conversion
Frame and Suspension:
Frame has been detabbed, passenger pegs removed, and powdercoated black
Front Forks from a 2006 Triumph Daytona 675 w/ .90kg KTech springs.
Daytona 675 Triple Tree by Free Spirits
Braking SK2 Wave Rotors w/ matching (Track) Pads
Brembo Master cylinder from Yamaha R6
Yamaha R6 Front Brake Calipers
LSL Steering Damper
Carrozzeria Wheels
Discacciati Rearsets – Modified to run GP Shift.
MotogpWerks / CalFab Braced Swingarm w/chain guard
Ohlins rear shock
Electronics:
Wiring harness has been slimmed down and all of the electronics now are hidden under the seat cowl
Koso Tach w/ 3D-printed mount. Currently the speedometer isn’t hooked up, but the provisions remain
It’s RAW. The bike is loud, vibrates, and has a load of torque and power. I did do a few track laps on it with road tires. It’s certainly not a track weapon, but it’s an absolute hoot on public roads.
I’m super stoked with how the whole bike turned out. For me it is the original air-cooled R version of what Triumph has recently put out with the new 1200 Thruxton R. It has near the same horsepower and weighs in 50lb less.
Trident Cycles
Instagram: @tridentcycles
Continue reading...
For Sale: Air-cooled Thruxton R from Trident Cycles…
Some of our very favorite builds start with a “What if?” question in the mind of the builder. In this case, Andrew Graham of Virginia’s Trident Cycles looked at his 2005 Triumph Thruxton 900 — his first full-size motorcycle — and wondered:
After all, in 2016, Triumph introduced the liquid-cooled Thruxton R 1200 to great acclaim — a high spec, performance-oriented version of the Thruxton:
But there was never an R version of the original air-cooled, carb-fed Thruxton. So Andrew set out to create one for himself, building it up over the course of a decade — a constant evolution and iteration that became more and more track-focused as Andrew’s interests leaned that way.
Other highlights include the 988cc / 92-hp engine from Triumph Performance USA, Keihin FCR39 Carbs, MotogpWerks / CalFab braced swingarm, upgraded brakes, LSL steering damper, Discacciati rearsets, and more.
Andrew says the bike is an absolute hoot on public roads — a raw, loud, one-of-one modern classic that’s lighter and nearly as powerful as the water-cooled Thruxton R:
These days, Andrew focuses most of his attention on the track with his race bikes, so it’s time for him to let this one go to fund the next project. That means you could own this well-sorted air-cooled R. You can see the sales listing here and contact Andrew for more details.
Below, we talk to Andrew from more details on the build.
Triumph Thruxton 900 R: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
I’ve been messing with motorcycles for over a decade now. This is the third bike that BikeBound has featured, which is really cool for me. My motorcycling addiction actually started with this motorcycle, as it was the first motorbike I purchased. I’ve owned, worked on, and built quite a few motorbikes over the years, ranging from modern classics like this to 1950s dirt racers, to modern road race bikes like a Ninja 400. Nowadays most of my time is spent working on my race bikes and either building one for the next season or doing in between race prep.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the bike?
2005 Triumph Thruxton R.
The original donor
• Why was this bike built?
The bike was built for me. It didn’t always start out like this; in fact, this is probably Rev 4 or 5 of this bike. I bought this bike a decade or so ago, having never owned or ridden a full size motorcycle before. It was bone stock when I bought it and then it slowly started getting farkled: fender eliminator kit, turn signals.
“Farkled”
Then came new Carrozzeria wheels. After that I purchased a Daytona 675 to strip for parts to build a Thruxton R with the forks and brakes.
It’s been a near never-ending process. I thought it was finished a few years ago after I had relocated all the electronics and put in the 988cc motor. Over the last year it’s received its last few touches.
My street riding has significantly declined over the years and I’m doing more track days and racing. The last round of upgrades was all for the track. The CalFab swingarm, proper race rotors and pads, 520 chain conversion was all to take it to the track. It’s only done a half day at the track, but it was still a blast and a TOTALLY different experience from my other track bikes
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
I built this bike before the newer water-cooled Thruxton R came to market. The idea behind building it was a “What could the factory have built?”
Originally it had all Triumph parts. I had purchased a Daytona 675 to strip forks, brakes, etc. to build this. Then it received some additional upgrades for the race track: new swingarm, better brakes, an exhaust that had a bit more ground clearance.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
Motor:
2001 988cc Motor Built By Triumph Performance USA – 92HP
Keihin FCR39 Carbs
British Customs 2-1 Exhaust
TPUSA Igniter
TPUSA Cams
520 Chain Conversion
Frame and Suspension:
Frame has been detabbed, passenger pegs removed, and powdercoated black
Front Forks from a 2006 Triumph Daytona 675 w/ .90kg KTech springs.
Daytona 675 Triple Tree by Free Spirits
Braking SK2 Wave Rotors w/ matching (Track) Pads
Brembo Master cylinder from Yamaha R6
Yamaha R6 Front Brake Calipers
LSL Steering Damper
Carrozzeria Wheels
Discacciati Rearsets – Modified to run GP Shift.
MotogpWerks / CalFab Braced Swingarm w/chain guard
Ohlins rear shock
Electronics:
Wiring harness has been slimmed down and all of the electronics now are hidden under the seat cowl
Koso Tach w/ 3D-printed mount. Currently the speedometer isn’t hooked up, but the provisions remain
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
It’s RAW. The bike is loud, vibrates, and has a load of torque and power. I did do a few track laps on it with road tires. It’s certainly not a track weapon, but it’s an absolute hoot on public roads.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
I’m super stoked with how the whole bike turned out. For me it is the original air-cooled R version of what Triumph has recently put out with the new 1200 Thruxton R. It has near the same horsepower and weighs in 50lb less.
Follow the Builder
Trident Cycles
Instagram: @tridentcycles
Continue reading...
