It's been quite some time since I last added a detailed blog post to my web site, I hope you like it.
I have been searching for a motorcycle project for a number of years and finally found one that peaked my interest, the Triumph Bobber Black Edition. My goal was to customize a Bobber by adding premium components that would make the Bobber minimalist in appearance while at the same time adding functional components that would enhance the form and function the motorcycle.
After months of searching, I found what I was looking for, a 2019 Triumph Bobber Black. The bike was somewhat rough in nature, initially it would not start, the front brake and rear brake pedal were broken, the side covers and tank where all scratched up, including a dent in the tank. That being said, I had a vision in my head of what I wanted to create. After some negotiation, I was able to purchase the Bobber.
My first job was to completely clean and degrease the Bobber as there were years of build up on it. The second thing was to remove the large bulky rear fender.
Immediately after the purchase, I ordered new Avon Cobra Chrome Black tires and they arrived very quickly.
- Front: Avon AV91 Cobra Chrome Black MT90B16 74H
- Avon AV92 Cobra Chrome Black 150/80R16 71V
A local dealer installed and balanced the new tires and did an excellent job. While the tires were at the shop, I started troubleshooting as why the Bobber had difficulty starting. It was a pretty easy fix, add a new battery and then examine the fuse box. While examining the fuse box, I noticed the 15 amp fuse for the ignition switch was missing, not sure why, but I added a new fuse.
I siphoned the old gas out of the tank, reinstalled the wheels with the new tires, rolled the bike outside, turned on the ignition switch, pulled in the clutch and hit the starter button. To my delight, the Bobber started right up and sounded very good.
After a completing a full service, fluid changes, etc., it was time to start to bring my vision for the Bobber to reality. This included getting rid of stock fenders, chain guard removal, radiator screen removal, replacing signal lights and wiring upgrades, license plate relocation, mirror upgrade, new grips, gas cap and grips. Following my research, I found a high quality manufacturer who offered many of the custom upgrades that I was looking for, Motone Custom Parts out of the UK - https://www.motone.co.uk/. The online reviews for their products are outstanding and I decided they would be my go to for custom Bobber parts. To my delight, I found a Canadian distributor for Motone products, Strath Moto - https://www.strathmoto.com/, out of Edmonton, Alberta. I highly recommend Strath Moto and give them a 5-STAR rating for their service and communication with customers.
The Build Begins...Electrical
After removal of the OEM rear fender, which included the rear signal lights, brake/riding light and rear license plate holder it was time to upgrade the electrical system for the new rear lights. The factory harness can work fine—until you begin trimming the rear end and installing custom lighting.
I went with Motone Short Wiring Harness as it eliminates unnecessary length and clutter, making it ideal for a minimalist bobber setup. It simplifies installation of aftermarket lighting, keeps everything tucked away cleanly, and helps avoid electrical headaches down the road. A small upgrade with a big impact, especially when chasing a stripped-back aesthetic.
Rear Lighting
To complement the shortened wiring, I went with the Motone Icon 3-in-1 Rear Lights as they offer an elegant lighting solution with integrated brake, riding and turn signals. Compact and discreet, they preserve the Bobber’s clean rear profile while still providing excellent visibility.
I used Motone Ajax Rear Frame Indicator Brackets for mounting the new rear lights. A very easy install as the brackets mount to the frame using the existing air box screws and provide a nice low mounting point that blends seamlessly into the bike’s darker theme. This reinforces the modern-classic look without drawing unnecessary attention to themselves.
Rear Fender
For the new chopped rear fender, I went with the Motone Razor Ultra Short Rear Fender. It does provide a bit of protection from road debris, but not much. The chopped fender looks very cool and pairs nicely with the with the Icon rear lights and cleaned-up wiring. The result is a sharp tail section that looks factory-refined yet unmistakably custom.
Front Fender
For the front end, the Motone Scoop Shorty Front Fender was the natural choice. It tightens up the Bobber's stance, hugs the Avon Cobra Chrome tire and provides an aggressive appearance.
Front End Lighting
To match the rear Motone 3-in-1 lights, I installed the Motone Icon LED T/S Indicator Turn Signals. For this install, a wiring upgrade is required and the fuel tank has to be removed. A set of mounting brackets is also required for this install. Sticking with the theme of Motone products, I went with the Motone Indicator Turn Signal Brackets and the plug and play Motone Triumph Turn Signal Wiring Adapter. The new Motone Icon turn signals provide a clean and stylish look for the front end of the Bobber.
New Seat
I didn't like the OEM seat, so back to to researching seats. Again, Motone had several seats that peaked my interest. After watching a YouTube video review of the Motone King Cobra Diamond Stitch Seat, I decided that I would give it a shot. The installation was quite easy and the seat feels and looks fantastic! It also puts you lower to the ground than the OEM seat.
Chain Guard
The stock chain guard is bulky and takes away from the chopped look that I envisioned for the Bobber. Motone didn't have anything that I was interested in, so back to the Internet I went. The ClassicBike Raisch Short Chain Guard was exactly what I was looking for. I placed the order from AJ Cycles in New York and within a week, it arrived. The chopped look of the short chain guard was exactly what I was looking for.
Radiator Guard
The OEM radiator screen was another item on the Bobber that looked boring, and protection doesn’t have to be boring. Back to Motone and I decided that the Motone Billet Union Jack Radiator Guard was what my Bobber needed. It adds a bold design element while serving a critical purpose. CNC-machined from billet aluminum, this guard protects the radiator from road debris without restricting airflow.
The second reason I decided to go with this is the Union Jack cutout is a subtle, but powerful nod to Triumph’s British heritage, adding character to the front of the bike without overpowering the overall design.
The Tins
The gas tank and the side covers were in pretty rough shape with scratches and blemishes. I tried my best to get them out, but wasn't pleased with the results. I ended up taking them to a local detailing shop. They wet sanded, compounded and polished the tins...they turned out amazing and exceeded my expectations.
New Grips
The rubber OEM grips were worn and needed to be replaced. After consulting with the owner of Strath Moto, I choose to go with the Motone Besozzi Full Metal Jacket Black Grips. They look super cool and were an easy install.
License Plate Relocation
Since I removed the OEM rear fender, I no longer had a mounting point for my rear license plate. As I had been using Motone Custom Parts for most of the build, I decided to continue with their line of products. The Motone Sidekick (Axle-Mount) License Plate Kit fit the bill and I went ahead and ordered it. Another relatively easy install and the pillbox micro LED light for the license plate plugged into the wiring harness I previously installed.
Final Touches
At this point, I thought the Bobber project was done and that it met my vision for the build, but wait, there's more!
Following my first test ride, I found out very quickly that I did not like the OEM mirrors. I tried adjusting multiple times and could not get them to a position that I was comfortable with.
New Bar End Mirrors
Back to Motone Custom Parts and a search for new bar end mirrors. My choice was the Motone Turismo Billet Type Mirror Type S (80 mm). I ordered them and when they arrived, like the other Motone products that I purchased for this build, the quality of the new bar end mirrors was outstanding. The result was exactly what I was looking for, cool yet functional bar end mirrors.
The Finished Product
I have to start with a disclaimer, I have no affiliation with Motone Custom Parts, I just like the quality of their products and that's why I used them in this build. What I like the most about this build is that the Bobber is bare, classic without feeling dated, and functional without sacrificing style. The Bobber looks just as good parked as it does charging down the road and is a topic of conversation when I meet with other riders!
So I am left with one final question, what is my next build? Cheers!
