My love affair with two-wheeled motors has been rekindled. After a 10 year hiatus from riding – back then, mostly on large, chromed-out cruisers – I decided to wade back in: at the deep end of the pool.

I have always admired the lines and engineering of European bikes. Late last fall, I acquired a stock 1050 TRIUMPH Speed Triple. My father used to race for TRIUMPH in the 60’s, so i guess this was also a way to reconnect with my ace. (I miss you, buddy.)

As customization and/or personalization has become a given in the modern world, I decided I would bring a bit of the “me, me, me” flavor to my scoot. Let me tell you – wrenching on a machine and getting one’s hands dirty is far more satisfying than pecking at the keyboard or pushing a mouse.

I have restyled the S3 by powder coating the shiny bits a glorious flat black (all the way down to the kickstand) and modding the exhaust  with a polish and port followed by a ceramic coat at JET-HOT in Cali. Added to this list are a set of carbon fiber racing cans and a new mid-pipe from across the pond at TRIDENT. Now this pony is ready to rumble – literally.

Long live the liter bike…

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