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BIR Bike of the Month: Sergio's 2007 Triumph Thruxton




It was love at first sight. The 1998 Triumph Daytona T-595 made such an impression; it was like waking up with a red-hot rebar poking you right in the eye! Just as powerful on me was the effect of seeing the Thruxton in person for the first time. I had to have one. Justifying the purchase was a bit tough. A third bike?! How many is too many? Then there was Norton revival by Kenny Dreer. I sent him a deposit for the 961/SS only to have it returned to me because there wouldn’t be any more produced. That hurt, real bad. My wife, realizing that I was upset over this for months on end was quite understanding when I came home in the early spring of 2007 with my new Thruxie.



And so the relationship began. Typical hooligan, I started riding her like a crazed Rocker in a hurry to get to the Ace, or was it Jacks?. Plus, I still had fresh images of the 961/SS Norton haunting me. Or were they taunting me? Some of these thoughts were "how can I transform my bike to make it look a bit more radical?" and like “why can’t I properly hear the motor?” As I thrashed her thoroughly in stock form, I began to understand that there was truly a need for help in various areas.


Call it luck, call it fate, I stumbled onto the BIR forum. It was there that I met a bunch of Brit Bike Junkies that would expose me to a multitude of available avenues for my mods fix(es). I started to connect with several members, meeting a bunch first at the AMA Vintage Classic in Lexington, Ohio, then several others in Northern California. When I saw, in person, what Toro had done to his bike, I knew I was hanging with the right folks. So I went undercover, thinking of ways to transform the bike. I started off with some basic activity, which immediately impacted the sound - in a very good way. The stock pipes were shed for a set of British Customs' Predators (http://www.british-customs.com/).. She immediately responded, breathing easier. Ahhh it was like music to my ears. But I wondered, "What the devil....is she trying to say something to me?" Whenever I fire her up, she sings to me sweet music! My gas mileage would be double if it weren't for the sound. I sit there revving the bike unnecessarily, just to hear that sound of combusting fossil fuel as it exits the enlarged reverse cones, much to the chagrin of everyone around me. Ironically, Harley owners make the most respectful comments. Imagine that. But there's more....


At highway speeds, well, she initially exhibited headshake as if to tell me “no,” I was going to fast. Bad attitude, miss. Other owners of like built machines did not have this problem. But she was telling me to slow it down some. I thought “do I need a steering damper?” and then I wondered, “Should I replace the front forks with inverted ones?” What the devil was I thinking...? So I replaced the wheels and tires. Completely.




There was no more headshake, at any speeds. Sealed, the new Excel aluminum wheels came from Buchannans in SoCal, and are re-spoked with beefier rods further shod them with sport bike meat – tubless, mind you. But it wasn't enough for her. She kept asking for more. So I obliged. Ripping out the airbox was an obvious next move, and then jetting her with recommendations from British Customs. PJs Parts came through with tricked out Rizoma Racing components and mirrors while Duncan Moto was there for me when she asked for Pazzo levers. Front dual rate springs came from Works and the read rear Ikon came from New Thruxton. Corbin's Smuggler is a welcome new riding surface, integrating rider to bike in a better way than stock.

All that was left, for now, was some new makeup.


The hand print concept developed from my '98 Daytona, but this time it needed to be louder. Reeling, she wanted slapped - hard. The tank paint came by means of Billy Steele of Steele Kustoms in Oakdale, PA (http://www.steelekustoms.com/). He was a bit taken when I proposed the concept, warning me that it would take weeks to get the paint off my hands. But I was ready, ready to do the deed. He called me up and gave me the word. I slathered up and it was "hands-on." And now, it's hands-off unless your prints are matching... The Devil Queen has only one master. And her filler cap is, well...shaved.


Roll On Cycle's Buck Williams here in Oakdale, PA is the shop that really put forth the effort to assist me with converting a nice, demure bike into what is now widely recognized as The Devil Queen. The tank paint came by means of Billy Steele of Steele Kustoms, also in Oakdale, PA. I'm fortunate to have both shops less than a mile from the house, and they are about 50 yards apart from each other, too which makes for a very cozy relationship when she needs special attention. You want true customer service? These guys are poster boys for that. Next, plans are already underway to increase her output. She wants me to go faster. Dyno’d at 66.6 to the ground is not enough anymore. Is that number coincidental? What’s coincidence? What's a guy to do? Stay tuned for further developments in this area. It's gonna be good.


So, I hope she amuses you. She's a bit unorthodox, but that's how I like her.


Just in case you were wondering, her picture is on the right cover by C by Coop. No, it ain’t some trucker-like mud flap sticker chick, it’s my tribute to my relationship with the Lords of Acid. But then, that's another story...

Sergio Kyriakis
Member #215
Brit Iron Rebel