The Triumph Bobber is without doubt one of the most lovely manufacturing bikes available on the market proper now. From its fake hardtail body, to its solo seat and ribbed fenders, it’s a chic motorbike that oozes classic attraction. However that’s not why Jens vom Brauck loves it.
“I just like the Triumph Bobber for its minimalism somewhat than its retro parts,” says the person behind JVB-moto. “Few present day bikes are so fashionable and effectively engineered, but so minimalist and clear. I needed it for that, somewhat than the classic particulars on it.”
Due to Jens’ sharp eye and excellent judgement, JVB-moto machines are recognizable by their clear styling. So somewhat than lean into the Bobber’s basic vibe, he got down to flip it into one thing extra modern. In spite of everything, it is a contemporary bike, full with a liquid cooled motor, ABS, traction management, and respectable suspension and brakes.
“I attempted to make it look much less retro, extra fashionable minimalist… even timeless” he explains. “Understated, however with a little bit of a foul ass vibe.”
Beginning with a 2017-model Bobber, Jens stripped off many of the OEM bodywork, protecting solely its comparatively compact gasoline tank. Drawing inspiration from every thing from choppers to 80s sportbikes, he designed new items that might bolt straight onto the Bobber, with a view to with the ability to replicate this fashion sooner or later.
The method took Jens months to finish. Every half was mocked up by hand with clay, aluminum, fiberglass and a filling compound. From that, molds had been made in order that the ultimate components might be manufactured utilizing a top quality epoxy-based fiberglass.
One main change is the Triumph’s rear finish, the place Jens traded the unique bobbed seat for a sleeker, and extra snug, tail unit. It sits on an built-in subframe that bolts on to the OEM attachment factors, with a slim LED taillight embedded underneath the again lip.
“It’s impressed by basic bobbers and choppers, however with a sure sporty really feel about it,” Jens explains. “And naturally I needed it to appear like a correctly designed motorbike, not a tinker job.”
One in all JVB-moto’s signature touches are the boxy headlight housings that Jens manages to adapt to virtually any fashion of motorbike. Right here, he’s taken the idea additional by designing the Bobber’s new entrance nacelle round an oblong headlight. And it really works surprisingly effectively.
Rounding out the bodywork are a pair of facet covers, that handle to enrich each the Triumph’s body and the fashionable look that Jens is aiming for. The entrance finish is dressed with new fork gators, and a fork brace that carries a nominal entrance fender. Out again are carbon fiber wheel covers, an alloy chain guard and an adjustable license plate mount.
Jens has upgraded a number of the Bobber’s operating gear too. The entrance forks are operating new Wilbers internals, with a Wilbers shock tucked in underneath the seat. The brand new exhaust mufflers are from Vance and Hines, however they’ve been modified.
Up prime are a set of JVB-moto bars, held in place by LSL risers. A tiny Motogadget speedo sits in a neatly designed housing simply in entrance of the tank, whereas a set of made-to-order LED flip alerts from Motoism do obligation at each ends.
“With these retro-futuristic ‘typos,’ the bike has misplaced its classic look and can now not be mistaken for a bike from the 50s,” quips Jens. “The colour of the tank is classic although. It’s a timeless British Leyland greyish-blue from the 60s.”
We actually see the attraction—and we’re happy to report that, like all JVB-moto builds, the Bobber was made to be ridden. Jens took it to the favored Wheels & Waves occasion, then tore via the Pyrenees on it. And it’s headed to the Glemseck 101 race pageant subsequent.
“It’s nice enjoyable,” he tells us, “and it’s faster than you’d count on. With 225 kilos it’s fairly light-weight for a 1,200 cc cruiser. Plus a very nice torquey engine, a good chassis, a snug seat and modified suspension make for a phenomenal driving expertise.”
So what’s the subsequent step? Jens has loved a protracted and fruitful collaboration with the European components producer, Kedo. So naturally, he’s planning to place as lots of the components on this Bobber into manufacturing as he can.
We’ll be maintaining a tally of his progress—and on the native classifieds, in case any good second-hand Triumph Bobbers pop up.
