This 1970 Triumph Bonneville Is Now A Chopper Called “Sid”

About the only parts left on this chopper, called "Sid," that are anywhere near stock are the 1970 Triumph Bonneville engine and transmission. Cole Rogers of 138 Cycle Fabrication took great pride in seeing to that. The more a builder creates for a bike, the better you can see his/her handiwork in action. In this case, most of the machine is pure Cole.

The bike is the property of Steve Schweickart, who not coincidentally restored said motor to working order. It’s also had some upgrades in the grunt department, namely Mikuni carburetors and some angry black pipes Cole made just for it. Steve also punched that motor up to 850cc.

But it’s Cole’s signature Triumph frame that cradles the motor. It’s a hardtail chassis kicked out to 35 degrees and stretched 2 inches out. Its 138 Cycle Fabrication ghost springer is 4 inches under stock length and the overall effect is a longer, thinner motorcycle that doesn’t necessarily handle like a longer bike. Spoke wheels at either end complete the finished roller.

Moving on to the controls, 138 Cycle Fabrication kept matters nice and clean. Aside from the clutch cable, there isn’t a single thing cluttering up the bars Cole’s shop created for this hardtail. Not even a little mirror on one side. This bike is just as sanitary at foot level, too, with the rear brake master cylinder relocated behind the primary drive.

Needless to say (but I’ll say it anyway), Cole Rogers fabricated the tank and rear fender you’re seeing on Steve Schweickart’s Triumph hardtail. Why would he work so hard on everything else and not make the bodywork for this svelte sexy machine?