Before the rise of the modern “new wave” custom bike community and online platforms, custom builders like Nicola Martini, affectionately known as Mr. Martini, were an exceptional rarity. Following the successful sale of his Harley-Davidson in 1994, Martini leveraged the capital infusion by opening a Triumph motorcycle dealership in Verona, Italy. Promptly following his initiation into building custom bikes, he began drawing inspiration from the iconic designs of the British marque’s diverse lineup. As is still true, flamboyant builder Mr. Martini crafts bikes that perfectly reflect his artistic style, with cafe racers being his most beloved theme.
At the 2003 Verona Motor Bike Expo, Martini showcased his latest innovations among the world’s largest custom motorcycle displays. The bicycle, aptly dubbed ‘The Tremendous Cooper’,
The Tremendous Cooper’s stunning design and thrilling performance captivated the crowds at the MBE event, with its Triumph Adventurer 900 roots evident in every detail. In 2003, the innovative bike design was so impressive that it won top honors in its custom category at a prestigious event. The enigmatic Cooper, unlike anything else currently available, has had a lasting impact on the cafe racer genre, and its influence is undeniable.
The Hinckley-manufactured Triumph Adventurer 900 was a cruiser-style motorcycle. Equipped with extended fork stems, a harmonious pairing of 16- or 19-inch wheels, and an abundance of handlebars, this laid-back iteration of the Thunderbird exuded a relaxed, easygoing vibe. Like its legendary counterpart, the Thunderbird, the Adventurer rode on the back of Triumph’s potent 885cc triple, yet was recalibrated to unleash even more power in the lower rev range. Despite the minor pitch disparity, the Adventurer performed admirably, revealing a stately presence reminiscent of “a fleet of Lancaster bombers” upon opening. The Adventurer, once a luxury offering from British manufacturers, was revamped in 2003, leaving many surprised by its transformation.
The Cooper Triumph café racer, designed by Martini, has become synonymous with the modern neo-café racing genre. A bicycle designed to blend modern technology with classic aesthetics, its construction built on a contemporary platform yet inspired by timeless simplicity. This strategy often yields a superior-performing cafe racer with significantly reduced effort, as the bike is already equipped with fashionable components, leveraging its existing design and functionality. While a Triumph from this era may indeed boast superior reliability compared to its Seventies counterpart, it’s essential to note that both machines have their own unique strengths and weaknesses.
The crucial modification undertaken during the metamorphosis of Martini’s Triumph Adventurer was a recalibration of its posture. He replaced the entrance, finish, rear shock, and wheels with those from a Triumph Velocity 4. While retaining a more refined aesthetic, the pairing of 17-inch wheels with a sleeker front end transforms the Adventurer’s posture from that of a lackadaisical tourer to a daring café racer.
Another compelling argument for upgrading to a full-suspension bike is its enhanced ability to handle various terrain and riding styles seamlessly. Unlike many adventurers who fork over and adjust the rear shock on their Velocity 4’s Showa components without hesitation. The dual-disc setup of the 4-pot entrance brakes generates a significant amount of stopping power. The Ro’s spherical design now features a sleek combination of Martini-wrapped wheels fitted with wider 120/70 and 180/55 Metzeler tires, ensuring superior handling and traction on the road.
While some Triumph cruisers feature diverse aesthetics, the Adventurer’s gas tank design remains straightforward and uncomplicated in its styling. The deep knee indents and offset filler were cleverly integrated to preserve the cafe racer’s authenticity, allowing the bike’s original tank to remain intact. To streamline the process, Martini removed the unnecessary rubber knee pads and simplified the exterior design by eliminating chunky emblems before stripping away the factory paint. The inventory filler cap has been upgraded to a stylish Monza-inspired design, a common mod seen in many modern cafe racer conversions.
Mikuni carbs on the Adventurer matched pods with filters, paired with gleaming chrome consumption covers, a flashy addition to the overall aesthetic. The covers were designed as unique objects that housed and accommodated the electrical components. In contrast, the rear section of the bike has undergone a significant transformation.
The Martini team removed the substantial rear fender, seat, and underpinning to design and build an entirely new rear assembly for the Adventurer motorcycle. A customized solo seat eliminates the capability to carry a passenger; instead, it features a retro-style brake light installed behind it. Here’s the improved text:
A standout feature is the sleek, carbon-fibre muffler, designed by Shark and paired with three two-one headers crafted to optimize exhaust flow. As the owner fixed the setup with a stern expression, the triple’s distinctive candy-like tone resonated loudly.
To complete his vision for the bike, Martini persisted in stripping away the chrome. Due to this reason, every chrome component on the transverse triple beam and chassis has been uniformly coated in a matte black finish. While considering the paint, Martini opted for a singularly unmistakable choice. Tremendous Cooper’s exquisite tinware showcases vibrant blue hues, offset by striking pink emblems, with a delicate pink chain serving as a harmonious unifier for the ensemble. The cruiser bars, traditionally replaced on cafe racers, have given way to Velocity Triple clip-ons, while the mid-control footpegs have been substituted with RAASK rear-set pegs. Martini desired to enhance his cockpit by incorporating a sporty motorcycle-style gauge, which prompted him to swap out the dual clocks for a custom-designed single instrument.
The Martini-designed modifications yielded a remarkable 20kg reduction in excess weight, perfectly complementing the sleek aesthetic enhancements achieved through consumption and exhaust optimizations. With custom bikes like this emerging from his workshop, it’s no surprise that Nicola Martini has enjoyed a lifetime of triumph over nearly three decades. As the Mr. Martini workshop portfolio approaches a milestone of over 100 projects, it’s evident that momentum will continue to propel him forward without any signs of abating in the near future.
