You don’t acquire trophies from the illustrious Yokohama Scorching Rod Customized Present with out being a grasp of your craft. However the full extent of Kengo Kimura’s expertise goes far past simply his ability with metallic. The person behind Heiwa MC has a pointy eye and wonderful style—he builds elegant machines that defy conference with out screaming for consideration.
Kimura-san has wowed us previously along with his frame-up classic Triumph customs, however his newest mission is a contact extra restrained—and extra trendy. It’s primarily based on a 2003-model Triumph Bonneville T100, and it was constructed for a consumer that had two very particular requests. He needed the bike to have a tail cowl in Heiwa’s signature type, and he needed high-mounted exhausts.
In response, the Japanese customizer turned out a tidy bobber that solely will get higher the nearer you study it. And since excessive efficiency wasn’t on the agenda, he put most of his focus into getting the bike’s stance and silhouette proper. Because of this, a lot of the Bonneville T100’s operating gear has been left alone—and the adjustments that Kengo has made are tremendous delicate.
The entrance forks sit decrease than earlier than, however they’ve been shortened internally relatively than simply dropped by way of the yokes, whereas aftermarket shocks decrease the rear. Kengo additionally saved the Bonneville’s OEM brakes and its 19” entrance wheel however re-laced the rear wheel with a 16” rim. Practicalistas will balk on the vintage-style Duro sawtooth tires, however they go well with this Triumph completely.
Subsequent, Kengo turned his hand to fabricating the Bonneville’s new bodywork. A home made metal gas tank sits up high, formed in Heiwa’s hallmark type. As per the consumer’s request, an aluminum tail cowl does responsibility out again.
Not solely do the 2 elements complement one another fantastically, however they’re loaded with considerate particulars that you simply’ll possible miss the primary time round. Notice how the entrance curve of the tank echoes the Triumph’s steering neck gusset, or the best way the tail cowl ends within the subtlest of ducktails.
Even Kengo’s subframe mods are impossibly tidy. As a substitute of the standard cut-‘n’-shut job, he’s trimmed the rear body rails proper down—then welded on bungs to bolt the rear cowl too. A good-looking leather-based saddle sits up high, with a pair of tiny LED flip indicators flanking the tail.
There’s extra of Kengo’s handiwork below the seat, the place a hand-crafted field homes the battery and electronics. It sits the place the airbox usually would, so the Bonneville now breathes by way of a pair of pod filters.
The Triumph’s cockpit wears a mixture of OEM and customized elements. It helps that the T100 comes with a handful of trendy bits from the manufacturing unit—just like the one-piece ‘canine bone’ handlebar clamp, which now grips a set of 1” Heiwa drag bars. Additionally in play are a set of chopper-style grips, a brand new throttle, classic switches, and a single mirror.
The unique clocks are gone, changed by a single aftermarket speedo. Kengo additionally relocated the sunshine swap and starter button to the left of the battery field, and the ignition to the best of the bike, slightly below the gas tank.
A Bates-style headlight sits up entrance, mounted on a hand-crafted bracket. And for those who’re questioning the place the entrance flip indicators are, simply look nearer; they’re mounted simply off the bike’s body down tubes. Heiwa’s signature taillight design sits on the reverse finish, connected to a license plate mount that sits on a pair of stylish struts.
Heiwa’s Bonneville T100 wears a livery worthy of its tasteful mods. Executed by N2AUTO, it encompasses a sweet icy blue coat, with extraordinarily well-judged silver pin-striping. The remainder of the bike’s elements bounce between black and chromed finishes.
After which there’s the cherry on the cake—the dual shotgun exhausts. Outfitted with beneficiant warmth shields and detachable baffles, they run as near the bike as they’ll, flaring out as soon as they’ve handed the rider’s legs.
Compact and clear, there’s little question that this practice Triumph Bonneville T100 is a Heiwa creation. Kengo could have constructed it for a consumer relatively than a present, however that doesn’t make it any much less fascinating.
Heiwa MC | Fb | Instagram | Photographs by Kazuo Matsumoto
