Customising any motorcycle is a challenge, getting the aesthetics of the bike right along with a good balance of performance modifications is an artform and of all the motorcycles that are being converted to Cafe Racers, modern bikes are arguably the most challenging. Complicated wiring combined with restrictive emissions systems add a lot of extra bulk you simply won't find on older bikes. Triumph's modern "Classics" range is no exception and sometimes it takes drastic changes to get a bike looking and performing right, the 'Brighton' from Champions Moto is the perfect example.
The Brighton is the result of a collaboration between Streetmaster of California and Richard Pollock, owner of Mule Motorcycles. The classically styled 'Brighton' Cafe Racer is powered by the engine from a modern Hinkley Bonneville but that's where Triumphs input ends. The heavily tuned twin produces around 78bhp which is an increase of 11bhp over Triumphs factory figures and that's at the rear wheel! While the displacement of the engine remains the same the head has been extensively reworked and a remapped ignition has been designed to optimise power delivery. A set of Keihin FCR 39mm carbs provide the extra fuel and a custom made, free flowing exhaust expels the combustion byproduct at a perfectly balanced rate.
"Named after the gritty British seaside town that was a favorite "burn-up" destination of the original rockers – an English subculture from the ’50s that popularized the leather jackets and pompadour hair still affiliated with rebel bikers from the era."
The parallel twin was then bolted into a specially designed Streetmaster double down chrome-moly tube frame with matching chrome moly swingarm. You'll find a pair of Racetech shocks at the tail end of the Brighton while up front there's a set of forks from a Buell Cyclone. The wheels are 19 inch front and rear with an upgraded XS650 drum providing braking at the rear and a high performance, vintage styled drum from Grimeca in the front. There's also plenty of custom made brackets, levers and covers and a custom oil cooler set up that lowers operating temperatures and de-clutters the engine.
The Brightons custom made bodywork is an unmistakable hat tip to classic Cafe Racer styling. The tank, front fender, seat cowl and side covers are all polished aluminium finished in some places with a coat of classic Triumph Amaranth Red with gold highlights and custom painted Triumph emblems on the tank. All up the Brighton weighs in at around 355lbs (161kg) which when compared to the 495lbs of Triumphs latest Bonneville range is a massive improvement.
"The Brighton fuses retro styling with modern performance and everyday reliability that the original rockers could only dream about."
The Brighton is available by special order from Champions Moto for the eye opening price of $37,500 USD, but this is certainly a positive example of getting what you paid for. The bike is a work of art and with the combined skills of Mule and Streetmaster behind each one you're guaranteed to get a great ride and impeccable finish. The Brighton is one of a trio of bikes now being sold through Champions Moto which also includes the Street Tracker styled 'SO-CAL Miler' and 'Streetmaster'. Not a bad way to spend 113,000 bucks if you ask me.
