Nicola Martini is Italy’s foremost custom Triumph specialist, and he’s not afraid to throw a curve ball into the mix now and then. “T-Type” is based on a Triumph Thruxton, and has a characteristically experimental look. It’s no show pony though; the motor is fitted with a Wiseco big bore and stroker kit that boosts capacity from 865 to 988cc. Hoisting the power even further is an exhaust developed in conjunction with Zard—a one-off for now, but a system that will soon be available on the open market. The rest of the componentry is equally top-drawer, with Öhlins suspension front and rear, Brembo brakes and 17” Marchesini wheels—3.5” at the front and 4.5” at the rear—shod with sticky Dunlop rubber.
The bodywork is all-new too, and fabricated in-house. The rear of the chassis has been modified to take a new saddle but it’s the huge side plates that dominate the whole bike—an unusual departure from the custom bike norm.
These images are courtesy of the Italian magazine MotoSpecial, which reports that riding impressions are good. Aside from the very noticeable boost in power, the bike is lower and more comfortable to ride than the stock Triumph Thruxton, with much more precise cornering and extremely powerful braking. Those side panels are growing on me already, and I’d take this one in a flash. [With thanks to Dino Aldo Lodola and MotoSpecial. Images by Roberto Brodolini.]
