This is a clean and simple 1957 Triumph Thunderbird built for Corey Theuerkauf. "Corey’s dad Tim started gathering parts to build himself a Triumph twenty years ago," says Clay. "But he recently passed away unexpectedly. His family decided to finish the project, and asked me to get it done." It was a pretty emotional thing for everyone involved, especially since no one knew exactly what Tim had in mind for the bike. Tim’s collection of parts was large and varied, and didn’t provide much in the way of direction. So Clay decided to go for a clean and simple build: "a mix of traditional chopper/bobber with a bit of Atom Bomb thrown in."

The fully polished engine and transmission were rebuilt to stock specs, with a new Hunt magneto lighting the air and fuel supplied by the Amal 930 carburetor. The frame was more troublesome though; an aftermarket hardtail for a unit Triumph had been welded on. It didn't fit, it was on crooked, and the whole front section had been more or less ruined in the process. So Clay built a complete custom frame onto the stock neck. The tank is an original Wassell that Tim had, and the rear fender is fashioned from a 1936 Ford spare tire ring that Clay got from HIS Dad years ago.  The original plan called for shortening and using a very long springer that Tim had, but Clay found it was bent between the trees a a set of shaved and polished late model forks were installed on the front along with an old spool Clay had saved away for the right project. The oil tank, bars, exhaust and miscellaneous bits were all made in house as usual. Corey and his family now have an elegant and classy ride, and a fitting tribute to remember Tim by.

(words courtesy Chris Hunter, images by David Bradley)