TT Cycles Classic Trump Chop

When you think of a custom Bobber, you usually think Harley. I used to also but there has been a growing demand over the past few years for shops that build and customize Harley’s British cousin, the Triumph. Triumphs have been in the limelight for decades. Ever since Marlon Brando rode in on one as Johnny, the president of the Black Rebels M.C. back in 1953’s “The Wild One,” it officially became cool to chop or bob the venerable Trump.

Marlon Brando from the film, “The Wild One.”

Originally, ALL the bikes in the film were to be Harleys but Brando shut that idea down in flames when he insisted that he would only ride his personal Pre-Unit in the film, so if you ever noticed, Brando’s crew were riding Brits while Lee Marvin’s gang were astride Harleys.

Lee Marvin.

Dennis Harrold and Steve Blaufeder are a couple of working musicians who share a love of Britain’s most popular export since the Beatles. Eleven years ago, the duo decided to open a shop in New Jersey that specializes in modifying and building custom choppers and bobbers based on the Triumph as well as restoring vintage models.

They moved to their new location at 10 Summit Ave., Berkeley Heights, NJ, three years ago. Steve is a certified bike mechanic having worked in Harley as well as Triumph dealerships for years and has built or rebuilt over 50 motors and transmissions in just the three years at their new shop location, and Dennis has modified bikes since he was 17. Most of the work is handled in house. Dennis does most of the modifications and designs their line of custom parts including a truly affordable set of forward controls.

Dennis wanted to build a personal bike, so he chose a 1970 frame and went to work building a 6-inch stretched rear hardtail section while Steve did a complete overhaul on the 1971 TR6 650cc motor. Steve gave it a bit more “punch” with a Boyer Brandsen, MK III ignition and 10-over Hepolite pistons and a Mikuni VM30 carb.

While Steve was tweaking the motor, Dennis was busy making the TT Cycles custom 16-inch rear wheel, TT Cycles custom exhaust and forward controls. The classic 1950s flame paint job (DuPont Chroma base coat/clear coat) paint job was laid-out in house and the inimitable G.W. Ross did a hell-of-a job on the pinstriping. Dennis went with some cool Vintage bullet running lights mounted under solo seat and custom amber turn signals. A 1969/1970 twin leading shoe stock front end with 10-inch mini-ape handlebars and Barnett levers and throttle lead the bike down the road. The bike uses a vintage Horseshoe oil tank w/battery box as well as a Vintage BAR Enterprises solo seat and “P” pad and sports a Kidney tool box (chrome). The rear end shows off a 6-inch flat chrome rear fender mounted with a Cat’s eye taillight.

These guys are truly creative in their approach to bike building. While most shops don’t have the special tools and knowledge needed for Brit bikes, TT Cycles boasts tools, both factory and those fabricated right in their own shop, to handle any repair or modification any customer can dream up (BTW, they also work on non-Brit models as well).

I have recently had the delightful experience of building a custom Brit Bobber and was dismayed to find most of the Brit shops lacked parts or advice. For the most part, they were factory purists and shined me on when they found out that I was creating a custom build and not a faithful restoration. That’s definitely not the case with Dennis and Steve. Both were very helpful and the advice they gave me was invaluable to a Brit Novice.

If you’re looking for a custom build, some cool parts or just need to get a good shop to keep your old Trump in Bristol Fashion, check out:
TT Cycles
10 Summit Ave.
Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
(908) 464-2288
http://www.ttcycles.net/ <http://www.ttcycles.net/>
sales@ttcycles.net <mailto:sales@ttcycles.net>

and tell ‘em TBear sent ya.

–TB

TT Cycles Trump BobberTech SheetGeneral

Owner: TT Cycles / Dennis Harrold
City/State: Berkeley Heights, NJ
Fab. By: TT Cycles
Year: 1970 Triumph
Model: T120R
Value: $11,000.00
Time: 2 Months

Engine

Year: 1971
Model: TR6
Builder: TT Cycles
Ignition: Boyer Brandsen MK III
Displacement: 650cc
Pistons: Hepolite
Heads: Stock
Carb: Mikuni VM30
Cam: Stock
Air Cleaner: Stock
Exhaust: TT Cycles custom
Primary: Stock

Transmission

Year: 1970
Make: Triumph
Shifting: 4-speed

Frame

Year: 1970
Make: Triumph / TT Cycles
Rake: Stock
Stretch: Stock

Forks

Type: Stock
Builder: Triumph
Extention Stock
Triple Trees: Triumph

Wheels,Tires,Brakes

Front Wheel: Triumph
Size: 3.25 X 19
Front Tire: Shinko
Front Brake: Triumph

Rear Wheel: TT Cycles custom
Size: 5.10 X 16
Rear Tire: Shinko
Rear Brake: Triumph

Painting

Painter: TT Cycles
Color: Black w/ flames
Type: DuPont Chroma urethane
Graphics: TT Cycles / G.W. Ross
Molding: TT Cycles
Chroming: Artistic Chrome

Accessories

Bars: 10” apes
Risers: 3”
Hand Controls: Barnett
Fuel Tanks: Triumph
Front Fender: None
Rear Fender: 6” chrome flat
Seat: BAR Enterprises
Foot Controls: TT Cycles custom forward controls
Mirrors: Mid West
Oil Tank: Custom
Headlight: Triumph
Taillight: Mid West
Speedo: None

I found a Triumph girl from Colleen Swartz