Triumph Bonneville – Macco Motors

Written by Martin Hodgson.

When Macco Motors built their No. 3 Triumph Bonneville named “Dusty Pearl”, they created a machine that would inspire customers from around the world to send the Spanish workshop orders for a Macco Bonnie just like it. Each bike has been created with a twist here and turn there to suit the visual tastes and the type of riding each client desires. But when a big German by the name of Martin made the call for a Macco Bonneville of his own, the guys convinced him that it was worth taking his 2008 Triumph Bonneville for a walk on the wild side. It was time to create “Apache”.

What makes this bike on the wilder side of things is nothing to do with looks or outrageous power figures but perhaps the most important part of any motorcycle, the way it handles. With Martin standing tall at 195cm, setting the bike up is a challenge to begin with, but add to the fact he is an expert rider who wanted a Bonneville he could push to the limits Macco was left with just one option, Ohlins. From the paddocks of MotoGP and WSBK to the leading sportsbikes in the world the Big O from Sweden dominates the market and while costly, there is rarely a better alternative. With Martin’s height in mind Ohlins adjustable length rear shocks with full tuneability made perfect sense for the build. To match the rear Macco went beyond just replacing the stock springs but utilised a complete Ohlins USD front fork assembly.

Great suspension is only as good as the tyres that grip the road and the versatile Metzeler Tourance allow Martin to fine tune the suspension and tackle just about every surface. To improve both looks and performance the unsprung weight is reduced with new rims laced with quality stainless spokes for a traditional look to a thoroughly high-tech machine. Having dialled the Bonneville in to be ridden fast and knowing what an aggressive rider Martin likes to be braking had to be up to scratch. The front floating disc is a 320mm drilled item and is held to the Ohlins forks with a custom billet bracket to prevent flexing. This is clamped by the latest Brembo 4 pot caliper featuring an array of titanium components and finish.

Martin might have wanted a high-tech Bonnie, but it was the look of the Macco Motors machines that first caught his attention and the boys didn’t let him down in that department either. The Spanish lads started with the matte black and cleared raw metal look that they are known for before adding a dark red single stripe that has the Macco Motors logo laid down over the top. The stock subframe was chopped and modified to allow for the fitment of the stunning dark chocolate leather seat that is made in-house. Both fenders are fibreglass Macco creations and while the rear is typically tracker the front hugs the tyre to create a visual line that is simply stunning.

Powering the beast is of course the famous 865cc Triumph parallel twin with sequential fuel injection for smooth throttle response and power delivery. Vented fibreglass side covers allow the engine to breathe easy while adding some extra bark is a pair of tuneable SuperTrapp mufflers.

And yes the pipes are wrapped, particularly important for reducing heat around an air-cooled engine and the increased heat retention inside the exhaust improves both the speed of gas flow and the responding scavenging effect of the pipe. An LSL sprocket cover shows off more of the machines mechanical mechanisms and the alloy footpegs are position perfectly for Martin’s height.

A Tracker needs just the right set of bars and the ever popular Biltwell Tracker handlebars are the perfect fit when matched up with Clubman LSL grips. The underslung mirrors keep everything tidy and just like the bar end turn signals come from the Motogadget catalogue. The rear turn signals are from Kellerman and adding some tradition to the array of modern tech is the classic 7 inch headlight and small taillight that is fender mounted.

With the ignition relocated and neatly tucked away Macco created a tidy mount for the stunning Motogadget Motoscope Pro Speedometer that gives all the basic info like Speed, RPM, digital idiot lights and a full array of warning lights and information to monitor engine performance and condition.

Having listened to their client’s needs and then put their remarkable building skills to work Macco Motors once again have a Bonneville ready to ship to another foreign land for a customer who couldn’t be happier. While there is always “more” you can do to even the most modified motorcycle, Macco Motors have delivered one of the most highly functional Bonneville’s you are ever likely to see without going that one step too far. Quality craftsmanship and expert design, the best of Ohlins and Brembo and a mix of hand-made and off the shelf components into a package that is a true riders dream.

[Photos by Sergio Ibarra from Semimate] via PIPEBURN

Triumph Bonneville – Macco Motors

Spain’s Macco Motors are building a large following with their clean and classic builds of everything from Harley V-Twins to little European 2 Stroke smokeys. But it is there Triumph Bonneville builds that are gaining fans from all corners of the globe and it was this that brought to them Jarlath, a customer from Belfast in Northern Ireland who’d seen the Macco Bonneville’s and had to have one of his own. Who could blame him, Macco Motors build many of the parts themselves, they do everything in-house and all of their builds are first class. Road racing is arguably the national sport in Northern Ireland but with its iffy weather Jarlath wanted a machine that was more than capable in all conditions; Macco delivered exactly that and more, a 2010 Triumph Bonneville delivered across the Irish sea sporting the most fitting of names, “Pilgrim”.

While Jarlath was obviously more than keen on the look that Macco Motors create with their Triumph builds he was after a more “Rock n Roll” style for the paint on the gas tank and the boys were more than willing to oblige. Inspired by the Yamaha graphics schemes of old the decision was made to go with a raw metal finish with black paint work. The matte black is used to shadow the revealed Triumph logo with the Macco Motors graphic featured just below and a racing stripe over the top. The rear subframe has been modified allowing for the fitment of the beautiful dark leather seat by Macco with the rear hoop following its profile for a factory like fit.

The last of the tins are courtesy of fenders made by the boys from fibreglass, the factory items are ditched and the front fender is a bobbed style item finished in matte black that utilise the factory mounts. Out back the one-off fender also features the matte black used throughout the build but is mounted to the new subframe and while only just protruding at the rear is carried all the way forward like a standard item for maximum engine protection. Mounted to the rear fender is an old school tail light with plate holder and new indicators are mounted just behind the shock mounts. Out front a Bates style headlight in a smaller diameter replaces the stock unit for a more focused look and keeping the police happy are front indicators that are fork mounted.

Powering Pilgrim around the streets of Belfast is the classic 865cc parallel Triumph twin with its effortless torque across the rev range providing the perfect performance for an all-purpose machine. To extract some extra power and give one hell of an exhaust note the thumping twin is fitted with tuneable SuperTrapp mufflers in stainless steel with the pipes completely heat wrapped. Allowing the inlet side to breathe the crisp Irish air is Macco’s own custom side covers made from fibreglass that feature mesh covered vents. Popular Triumph mods of late that are utilised on all Macco builds are carried over to Jarlath’s bike with the relocation of the regulator rectifier and ignition. Final drive is improved with new sprockets, the front exposed with an LSL cover and a new uprated chain.

The chassis and suspension on the modern Bonneville while based very much on the layout of the classic machine performs exceptionally well from the factory. Twin rear shocks, conventional telescopic forks and a steel frame offer consistent turn in and great road holding but everything can be improved upon and Macco did just that. The front 41mm forks have been upgraded with progressive rate springs from Hagon that increase feel and reduce dive under braking. Out back the classic twin shock system remains in place but with the addition of the industry leading Ohlins fully adjustable shocks with progressive springs that feature height adjustment. For absolute versatility the finally road holding feature comes from the fitment of Metzeler Tourance tyres with a meaty 140 section out back.

Jarlath muscles the Triumph around the streets of Belfast with his hands on a set of Biltwell grips that are fitted to the tracker style Biltwell bars that are a common feature on Macco Motors builds. Allowing for more aggressive riding and two finger braking and clutch operation are a set of Racing Style levers that also have built-in adjustability. Cleaning up the front end even further Macco ditched the standard instruments and fitted a small Motogadget speedo that works in conjunction with the ingenious m-TRI signal adapter that takes control of all information on lights, indicators, speed, water temp and a whole host of idiot lights and sends the signals to the digital speedo.

Macco Motors love to build any bike they can get their hands on and enjoy the challenge of tackling a project from a brand they’ve never worked on before. But so long as they keep churning out picture perfect Bonneville’s they can expect more international calls placing orders no matter the wait and that is one of the highest compliments any builder can receive.

[Photos by Sergio Ibarra from Semimate] via PIPEBURN