CAFÉ RACER 76: DEATH MACHINES OF LONDON TRIUMPH THRUXTON

The 21st century iteration of the Triumph Thruxton is the sportiest variant of the Modern Classic family of Triumph motorcycles – including the Bonneville, the America, the Scrambler, and the Speedmaster. Originally, the Thruxton was a homologation special built in 1965 for British endurance racing, so the name was perfect for the quickest member of the retro-styled parallel twin family.

The first of the modern Thruxtons was the Triumph Thruxton 900, it was built between 2004 and 2016, after which it was replaced by the entirely new water-cooled 1200cc Thruxton.

Death Machines of London is a custom motorcycle garage with what is without question the coolest name on two-wheels.

They also make a series of tees and other clothing with their brandname on it – which sell like hotcakes both in their native England and further afield.

DMOL began this build the same way they begin all builds – with a full teardown and inspection of parts. The frame was de-tabbed, weld cleaned and modified with an entirely new rear end. The engine was rebuilt with a high-performance gas flowed cylinder head, DMOL designed and manufactured velocity stacks, and remapped fuelling to suit the bespoke exhaust system – which exits through the rear cowling and brake light halo.

One of the most eye-catching features of the build are the sweeping handlebars, they were manufactured in-house, and fitted them by welding them underneath to a slotted custom top clamp. The right grip conceals an internal throttle assembly, while the left features finger-tip controls for the lighting and horn.

Interestingly, the Thruxton is fitted with an entirely new loom and a 1940 Supermarine Spitfire Mk1 magneto.

The first magneto makes the bike live, while toggling the second magneto engages the starter motor when the start button is depressed. The battery is held in a bespoke case tucked away between the foot pegs.

The custom aluminium headlight cowl, fuel tank, and rear cowl were all built in-house, and the headlight cowl includes a beautifully detailed precision-etched solid brass speedometer made using photolithography. The fuel tank filler is covered with a brass plate engraved with the infamous Hunter S. Thompson quote: “Faster, faster, until the trill of speed overcomes the fear of death.” – and the hand-stitched leather tank strap is made from saddle hide.

One of the more unusual features of the bike is the American Walnut seat created by Ben Heeney at Ian Dunn Woodwork and Design in London – it’s made from seventeen parts in order to maintain a consistent grain pattern across its complex shape.

There aren’t many Thurxtons in the world that can compete with this one for sheer originality – and as just the second custom build by Death Machines of London it’s a statement of arrival that’ll be heard right around the custom motorcycle world.

If you’d like to see more from DMOL you can click here to visit their official website.