Street Sleeper: Bunker customizes the new Street Twin

The pre-2016 Triumph Bonneville is one of the shining stars of the custom scene: a bike that only gets better as you tweak it. And you don’t need a grinder, even for a fairly heavy custom job—there’s a huge network of aftermarket parts suppliers.

The bestselling model in the Modern Classics range is now the ‘new’ liquid-cooled Street Twin. But will it respond to subtle mods as well as its illustrious predecessor? This new low-key build from Bunker Custom Cycles suggests the answer is a resounding Yes.

Istanbul-based brothers Can and Mert Uzer are capable of very extensive custom work, but that wasn’t on the cards for this project.

Their client simply wanted a handsome Triumph classic with a matte paint job. And since the Street Twin is the most affordable modern classic in Hinckley’s stable, the Uzer boys picked one up and got cracking.

Bunker’s style is marked by good design and impeccable taste. It’s no surprise, given that one brother is a top skateboarder, and the other has a background in digital advertising. So this Street Twin’s stance, proportions and livery are all top shelf.

It’s a bit of a sleeper too, with upgraded suspension propping it up at both ends.

The front end’s a plug and play kit from Canyon Motorcycles, which includes Öhlins 43mm FG 621 forks, and a set of CNC machined triples.

Bunker deliberately opted for right-side-up forks, citing their classic look as an overriding factor. There’s a set of Öhlins TR 964 shocks out back too, raising the ride height by an extra centimeter.

The spoked wheels are from Triumph’s own catalog; they’re an optional upgrade for the Street Twin’s OEM alloy numbers. Bunker have wrapped them in Pirelli MT60 rubber, adding a small measure of dirt road ability to the Street Twin. And they’ve upgraded the brakes too, with Galfer discs and pads.

Up top, the guys shortened the subframe by 10 centimeters, then set about building a new seat. It’s been shaped on an aluminum seat pan, with a gel insert and a brown leather cover, stitched in a classic tuck-and-roll pattern.

Out back, they fabricated a new aluminum fender—then re-used and modified the OEM license plate holder. There’s a new LED taillight, along with a new set of turn signals.

The new front fender is another custom-made piece, and is mounted to the brackets that came with the front-end kit.

TEC Bike Parts also came to the party with a number of tasty upgrades. They supplied new mufflers, along with a nifty catalytic convertor eliminator. The handlebars, handlebar clamps and adjustable levers are from their catalog too.

They’re matched to a set of brown Biltwell Inc. grips—but the switches, speedo and headlight are all stock.

This Street Twin’s also sporting a few Triumph catalog parts—like the chain guard, and the inspection and ignition covers. The new radiator guard’s a Bunker part though, and will be for sale soon via their website.

There are also a few choice upgrades hiding under the hood. Bunker left the Triumph’s air box intact, but installed a K&N filter and crankcase breather. Then they wired in a new Unibat Lithium-ion battery, and added a Dynojet Power Commander 5 fuel injection module.

The bike’s been professionally tuned now, and reportedly pumps out 63.4 hp—almost 10 horses more than stock.

Then there’s Can’s tasty paintwork—a combination of matte silver with gloss black and gold touches. The minimalism is supremely well judged, and gives this Triumph that better-than-factory vibe that Bunker excel at.

Oh, and it’s a bit lighter too now. Bunker went to the trouble of weighing every part that came off and went on, and reckon they’ve shaved off almost 12 kilos (25 pounds).

More power, plusher suspension and less heft sounds like a winning combo to us. Who else reckons the Street Twin has a bright future?

Bunker Custom Cycles | Facebook | Instagram | Images by P BLOK/Onur Aynagoz

Bunker Custom Cycles would like to thank Tec Bike Parts, Galfer Discs and Evans Coolants for their support.

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The 2019 Audi e-tron Will Make You Change Your Mind About EVs

• The 2019 Audi e-tron boasts a maximum range of over 300 miles.
• Special drive modes give the e-tron an advantage over rough terrain.
• Interestingly, the more conventional styling is what makes it stand out.   

The 2019 Audi e-tron made its debut in San Francisco in September. It’s a conventional-looking SUV with none of the styling quirks associated with electric cars. The Audi e-tron is sure to give the Tesla Model X and Jaguar E-PACE/I-PACE a serious run for the money, and I say that with no hint of sarcasm.

It’s quite refreshing for an electric vehicle to look like a normal car. The new Audi e-tron SUV might share the silhouette of the Q5, but there are subtle hints that set it apart. For example, the semi blanked-out octagon front grille and the four horizontal slats on the edge of the headlights, which resemble a smartphone’s battery charging bars.

One thing is for sure, though: the styling of the 2019 Audi e-tron is best appreciated in the flesh.

Move Over Tesla Model X!

I am a big fan of Tesla and Elon Musk. It’s one of those stories where the underdog came out the winner. Musk and Tesla EVs were able to change how consumers perceive the styling, performance, and features of an electric car. I also think the Tesla Model X is one of the best sport-utility vehicles currently in production.

But when the 2019 Audi e-tron arrived, it suddenly became clear. Not because Tesla now has a solid and proper competitor, but Audi was able to beat their Germans contemporaries in the fully-electric SUV segment, ahead of say the Mercedes-Benz EQ C. But what really surprises me with the new Audi e-tron is the restraint.

Remember when the Audi R8 was unveiled at the 2006 Paris Motor Show? It was unlike anything I have seen before. The R8, back then, looked like a spacecraft of alien origin. There was no hint of restraint in the styling.

On the flipside, the new Audi e-tron looks pretty much like a normal, everyday-driven SUV. And that’s a nice thing to have in an EV, right? I know some people enjoy the attention as they drop their kids at school or soccer practice in a Tesla Model X (what with those unusual yet magnificent falcon doors). However, the Audi e-tron will allow you to simply move on without gathering unsolicited stares.

2019 Audi e-tron. Photo: Audi of America, Inc.

Aerodynamic & Electrified Performance

No, you don’t get falcon doors on the 2019 Audi e-tron. But you get state-of-the-art virtual side mirrors. This feature is more than just a gimmick. Chopping off the side mirrors on both sides actually allows the e-tron to slice the wind more effortlessly. The system utilizes small cameras and door mounted displays in place of conventional mirrors. The bad news is this feature is only available in Europe and a few other markets, but it’s still a neat party trick.

The beating heart of the 2019 Audi e-tron is comprised of two electric motors. The combined output is 355 horsepower and 414 lb-ft. of torque (265 kilowatts and 561 Newton meters by comparison). The electric motors can increase power and torque output in Boost mode for eight seconds. In that span of time, the Audi e-tron is churning out 402 horsepower and 490 lb-ft. of torque.

Those numbers are not enough to beat the Tesla Model X, right? Even if the 2019 Audi e-tron can scoot to 60 mph in around 5.5 seconds, the base Model X 75D can achieve the feat in 4.9 seconds. The Tesla is admittedly faster and more performance-oriented. But if you think again, you don’t need supercar-amounts of power to have a good time inside an electric SUV.

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What really surprises me with the new Audi e-tron is the restraint.
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Photo: Audi of America, Inc.

Superior Driving Range

Powering the pair of asynchronous motors is a lithium-ion battery pack rated at 95 kWh, enough for a maximum range of 310 miles (498 kilometers) when fully charged. The battery pack can be charged using either a 150 kWh DC fast-charging station or 9.6 kW AC 240-volt residential charger. The former refills the batteries with 80 percent juice in 30 minutes while the latter charges the battery pack overnight.

Road trip? No sweat. The Audi e-tron supports more than 500 Electrify America fast-charging networks nationwide. The network currently spans 40 states and 17 metro areas with more coming in the next couple of years.

This means the 2019 Audi e-tron can take you further than a Tesla Model X 70D for a lower starting price. The base Audi e-tron Premium Plus also gets a surprising amount of kit, including 20-inch wheels, a top-view camera system, full LED exterior and interior lighting, 12-way heated and cooled power front seats, plush leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and a Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system with 16 speakers.

Not bad for $74,800 right?

Photo: Audi of America, Inc.

Quattro Electric Drivetrain & Audi Drive Select

The new Audi e-tron also earns the distinction of having the first Quattro all-electric drivetrain. The system will digitally link the front and rear axles. Together with a torque vectoring feature, the drivetrain provides grip on all types of road surfaces.

In the meantime, Audi Drive Select is responsible for motivating the e-tron over rough and muddy roads. The system can raise the suspension to give the vehicle 35 millimeters or 1.4 inches of additional ground clearance in off-road mode. Select “RAISE” mode and the suspension lifts another 15 millimeters or 0.6 inches.

I don’t know many people brave enough to drive the Audi e-tron on a rougher patch of off-road trail, but it’s nice to know it can.

Energy Recuperation

The reason why the new Audi e-tron can achieve phenomenal mileage is the brilliant power recovery system. The 2019 Audi e-tron can recharge the battery pack in a variety of ways. Coasting recuperation will activate each time you lift off the throttle. The system also charges the battery via the brake pedal. The e-tron can choose either the electric motors or the friction brakes to stop the vehicle. If the system chooses the former, the electric motors will basically function as alternators to charge the battery pack.

You can even choose the manual recuperation system using the shift paddles. It all sounds terribly complicated and mind-numbingly high-tech, but isn’t this what Audi is usually about anyway?

Photo: Audi of America, Inc.

Luxurious Appointments

The 2019 Audi e-tron’s interior is typical Audi. The dashboard and door surrounds are flanked with soft-touch and premium materials. The center console is dominated by a large pair of MMI displays similar to the Q8. In the meantime, traditional dials on the instrument console are replaced by the Audi Virtual cockpit with an ultra-high resolution 1920 x 720 display screen.

The interior can accommodate five, benefiting from dual-pane windows, undercarriage sealing, and a plethora of soundproofing materials. The result of all this (combined with the excellent 0.28 Cd of the slippery body) is a hushed ride even at high speeds.

The 2019 Audi e-tron, behind all this technology, is still a family SUV. For example, it offers 28.5 cubic feet of storage in the cargo area. Not enough? Fold the rear seats down to get 57 cubic feet of storage. There is also a storage compartment under the cargo floor to stow away a tool kit and a mobile charging cable. Oh, and the tailgate opens electronically when it senses your foot is under the rear bumper as well.

In Person

If you’re seriously considering the 2019 Audi e-tron, remember it’s best appreciated in the flesh. It will be on display from November 30th until December 9th at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show. On November 28th, Audi is releasing a teaser of the e-tron GT concept, an all-electric high-performance sports sedan.

Alvin Reyes is the Associate Editor of Automoblog. He studied civil aviation, aeronautics, and accountancy in his younger years and is still very much smitten to his former Lancer GSR and Galant SS. He also likes fried chicken, music, and herbal medicine. 

2019 Audi e-tron Gallery

Photos & Source: Audi of America, Inc.

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Slam Dunk: A lowered Sportster 883 from Hombrese

Quite a few bikes have quirks that can trap the unwary builder. The strange frame curvature on the Honda CX500 is one of them, and the height of the Harley Sportster motor is another.

The venerable V-twin is an unusually tall engine, which makes it difficult to get a straight line from the base of the tank to the back of the seat. And it’s even harder to create a low-slung, slammed effect. But Uwe Kostrewa has managed to pull off both tricks, and deserves a round of hearty applause.

Uwe hails from Cologne in western Germany, and operates his workshop as ‘Hombrese Bikes.’ He’s been building for six years, but burst onto the scene a couple of years ago with a colorful W650 tracker—complete with bright blue powder coated frame.

“Normally I build Japanese bikes,” he tells us. “But I wanted to do something a little different, and thought about building a Harley-Davidson in the Hombrese style.”

Uwe’s Harley is a 2003-model Sportster 883, with an economy and purity of line that makes us think of the best Japanese shops.

“I think the style is a mix of scrambler, tracker and a little bit of Brat,” says Uwe. It ticks all those boxes for us, and a few more: when the images came in, we pored over them, trying to figure out how Uwe got such perfect stance.

So how did he do it?

“First, I took the bike apart and checked out the frame. I decided to lower it at the front and elevate the back to find a good line.”

Uwe has kept the stock fork tubes but installed new internals, including springs that reduce the ride height by 30 mm (just over an inch). At the back, new shocks from Progressive Suspension provide a handling upgrade.

The Sportster was extremely well maintained by its previous owner, and the brake system was in perfect order.

So Uwe simply refinished the wheels with new spokes and powder coated rims, and installed Bates Baja tires—inspired by the famous Goodyear Grasshopper, and produced by Heidenau.

Then it was time to work on the body. The tank was critical: the classic custom ‘peanut’ style simply wouldn’t work here. So Uwe picked out an old Honda tank that was hiding in his workshop, and started modifying it.

“This turned out to be the hardest part,” he reveals. “I had to remove a lot of metal from the ‘tunnel’ to get it lower.”

But when he test-fitted it, he still wasn’t satisfied with the way the bottom edge sat proud of the cylinder heads. So he cut away more material to get a closer fit. “It took a lot of hours to make it look right, but it was definitely worth it.”

After getting the Honda tank to sit right, Uwe turned his beady eyes to the back of the frame. He cut off the stock tubing, and built a new loop that’s screwed on from the inside.

“I didn’t want to weld it,” he explains, “even though the effort required to screw it on was much bigger!”

Before slotting the engine back into the frame, Uwe had it blasted with dry ice—which is a solid form of carbon dioxide, compressed into soft pellets. “It gave the engine a new shine—a very nice invention that gives great results.”

Look closely, and you’ll spot some very fine engraving on the points cover. “That’s by Carsten Estermann,” Uwe reveals. “A very creative guy and a master in his field.”

The motor is now hooked up to a hand-made exhaust system, welded using stainless steel and terminated with a muffler that Uwe dug out of his workshop stock. (“I don’t know the model,” he confesses.)

The ancillaries are a discreet mix of old and new: a classic 4½-inch headlight at the front, and tiny Kellermann Atto indicators all round. The bars are from an older Harley and fitted with vintage-style grips, but the speedo is a thoroughly modern Motogadget Motoscope Tiny.

After the classic Harley-Davidson orange paint had dried on the tank and the aluminum rear fender, Uwe bolted the Sportster back together.

We’re guessing he took a moment to step back and admire his handiwork. And we hope he felt deep satisfaction, because the style and stance of this Sportster is absolutely spot-on.

Nice work, Uwe.

Hombrese Bikes | Facebook | Instagram | Images by (and with thanks to) Marc Holstein

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6 Reasons why your next Car should be Ford

There have been lots of controversies about Ford over the years, but today, Ford is well known as a quality auto. In this guide, we are proud to expose you to essential reasons why your next car should be a Ford and also want you to know that owning a Ford is an excellent experience. If you doubt this, the following reasons will change your mind.

Unbeatable Value

Ask yourself a vital question. If you need a great SUV under $25,000 which brand would you go for? Ford of course. With this brand, you get to save money while buying your dream Ford SUVs, car and trucks. The competitive advantage here is that Ford is in all ramification one of the groups that offer the best value.

Dependability

Do you wonder why the owners of Ford keep on coming back to Ford? The value, quality, and efficiency Ford offers are difficult to ignore. According to Polk research, Ford continuously focuses on what its customers want before it comes up with any designs. Also, lots of people would testify that once you use Ford, you would become loyal to the company.

Awesome cars

Designs like the 2013 Ford Focus and Ford Fusion offer more style and beauty than its competitors. The captivating design of the auto looks cool as they move and at every point, they provide fun and excitement. It’s been a while since cars are all about fun; however, Ford is bringing back that feeling.

Technology

Once you search for the most technology-rich auto brands, you would find Ford in a good position. Irrespective of the design, a buyer would always get the technology the desire as well as driver assistance feature, since 3 and entertainment.

Safety

Ford cares about the safety of its drivers and passengers. Hence, the brand works too hard to ensure that its vehicles would not only protect you if there was a crash but also help to prevent the accident from occurring through car avoidance tech.

Top Family cars

If you find getting your family into your SUV a chore, then you need give your drive choice second thoughts. According to KBB, Ford is one of the best companies producing some of the best family vehicles out there.

Final thoughts

Peradventure you thinking about what car to buy next, then you should choose Ford because it means you would enjoy the benefits of years of manufacturing experience and design. Have you decided to get a Ford now? Go to your nearest Ford dealership to get one.

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