Mellow Motorcycles first appeared on the European custom scene in 2016. They gained our attention due to their tendency to gravitate towards cafe racer-styled projects. In more recent years the MM business model has evolved and now includes 2 Triumph dealerships in Frankfurt with 20+ mechanics on hand. With the popularity of Triumph’s water-cooled modern classics, the dealerships quickly became the focus of their business, but despite this, Mellow Motorcycles has never forgotten where it all began.
“This year we went back to the roots and opened our first dedicated custom bike shop in Munich where we exclusively sell customized motorcycles,” says MM CEO Patrick Sauter. This of course means that the Mellow team needs to be producing custom motorcycles regularly. So with the opportunity to display something new at the 2024 edition of Glemseck 101, they decided to combine the 2 aspects of their business to create a one-of-a-kind Triumph.
Nicknamed the Belly Dancer’, the base for this project was a brand new 2023 Triumph Thruxton RS. With Triumph announcing the cessation of the Thruxton it’s likely fewer people will be modifying them in the hope that clean, unmolested examples will go up in value. Well aware of this fact the Mellow team built this bike without making any irreversible changes to the Thurxton’s chassis or running gear.
In the past Mellow Motorcycles have gone all out with the Thruxton platform. In 2018 they built a Thruxton R to take part in the Sultan’s of Sprint drag race series. Nicknamed the Phantom Blaze that bike was extensively modified aesthetically and mechanically and even had a supercharger strapped to its water-cooled parallel twin. Unsurprisingly, it took out first prize in its class.
In stark contrast, the Belly Dancer’s engine remains stock, but it’s no slouch. From the factory, the Thruxton RS produces a respectable 103bhp. To get a few additional horses out of the motor MM has installed a Jekill & Hyde valve-controlled exhaust. Using a button beside the left grip the rider can open or restrict the exhaust as desired to alter both the sound and the performance of the engine. Fast-paced gear changes have also been made possible with the fitment of a quick-shifter.
Belly Dancer’s suspension is also stock since from the factory the bike comes with premium components from Showa and Ohlins. However, the front end sits lower than stock to give the bike a more aggressive character. Minor changes in equipment come in the form of LSL rear set footpegs that once again give the Thruxton RS a sportier feel. In place of the bulky standard turn signals are tiny Motogadget M.Blaze pins and to add a touch of classic cafe racer style a black leather strap extends over the fuel tank. In keeping with the blacked-out engine theme there’s also a black rear sprocket, black DID chain and a set of Triumph Factory Customs carbon fibre heel guards.
The most significant change that Mellow Motorcycles made to this Thruxton RS was the bodywork. “We found a guy in Thailand who took photos of our Phantom Blaze and built a street bike fairing kit for the Thruxton out of it,” says Patrick. “With the help of my father Rainer, who has been racing and building bikes for over 50 years, we spent 2 weeks from scratch to get everything to fit right.” The Belly Dancer’s new bodywork consists of the “not so bolt-on” front fairing from Thailand, a custom-made windscreen by MRA, and a tail unit, seat, and side covers from Tamarit Motorcycles in Spain. Those with a keen eye will also notice carbon ventilation dams on the front brakes which have been retrofitted from a Ducati Panigale V4S.
According to Patrick, “If you build a café racer there’s only one correct color choice: British racing green.” So the Belly Dancer wears a BRG basecoat, but to make it stand out, he’s added Porsche 934 RSR “Vaillant” inspired racing stripes that take this Thruxton RS to a whole other level.
