I’m a sucker for retro fairings. I’m obsessed with Honda’s legendary CR750 and the TT race bikes of the seventies so I’m always on the lookout for modern customs that take styling cues from that era. One of the latest such builds to pop up on my radar while trawling through my instagram feed was this striking sage green beast. It’s the work of Mike Sadler of Division Motorworks in Canada and the bikes owner, Patrick McGregor. Sporting a Dunstall style fairing and an intriguing colour scheme this is one Triumph Thruxton that most certainly stands out from the rest.
Jokingly dubbed the ‘Sage Rage’ the bike started out as a 2008 Triumph Thruxton. As with many custom bike projects the idea for the build came “over a few drinks and hours of motorcycle chatter between friends last summer” Patrick explained. Inspired by wild builds like the Lucky Cat Garage ‘Sprintbeemer’ and much simpler projects like David Rosen’s Thruxton they set to work customising the bike.
“In its pre-project state, the Thruxton was pretty much stock, except for the Rizoma bar end mirrors, British Customs basic performance package that included the air box & air injection removal kits, predator exhausts and a fender elimination kit.” As Winter set in a Dunstall style fairing was acquired from Airtech Streamlining in the States, complete with a plexi windscreen from Gustafsson Plastics and the project was underway.
First came the task of mounting the large, 3 piece fairing to the bike. “We started planning and fabricating the mounting points, modifying the headlight bracket to fit the Thruxton frame and swapping out the stock clip-ons for a set that would allow us to adapt extended bars.” The next challenge was to keep the fairing as uncluttered as possible which meant finding a clever way of locating the front indicators. The solution came after “many debates and staring sessions” in the form of 2 LED strips that run behind the seam of the fairing and the windscreen. If you look closely in these shots you can see the holes where the LEDs shine through.
After months of hard work in June of this year the bike underwent it’s fist test run with the bodykit in place and it was deemed a success. With everything sitting as it should the debate on a suitable paint scheme began. It was Mike who pitched the concept for the sage green with white stripes and racing number panels. “Simple, elegant, eye catching and era “appropriate”, I was sold.” With Patrick happy on the colour choice Mike got to work painting the fairing, tank and tail while Patrick worked on the subtle grey decals. “I kept it to the bare basics brand wise, whilst adding a personal touch in the form of the Clan Gregor coat of arms and a nod to Mike’s shop, Division Motorcycles.”
Although the bike is now together and out on the streets of Alberta it will soon be undergoing further modifications. Phase 2 will include a shorter custom seat and rounded tail to give the bike even more classic race bike appeal.
