Since his early years, Will has been fixated on velocity. As he delved into vintage periodicals and classic films, a captivating interest in the ’60s and ’70s Southern California’s streamlined car culture took hold, fueling his imagination. Will’s fascination with two-wheeled vehicles started with the resurrection of vintage bicycles he would scour from creek beds and salvage yards. As he grew older, he transitioned from skateboards to bicycles, finding joy in customizing or upgrading them for friends or personal enjoyment. It wasn’t until 15 years had passed since he traded in his suit and tie for a 9-to-5 job that he finally concluded “enough was enough”.
Following a career transition, Will introduced his Weiss Efficiency model after trading in his conventional suit for a more laid-back attire. The expert’s state-of-the-art workshop concentrates on high-performance, two-cylinder motorcycles, crafting customised solutions for optimising their operational efficiency through bespoke componentry and accessories. The culmination of his efforts are products born from rigorous testing conducted by the North American Triumph Flat Observation Team and personal experimentation in the renowned Southern California Mulholland Canyons.
If you’re seeking exceptional, bespoke gear or a truly unique high-end build, look no further than Will’s expertise, exemplified by this stunning Weiss Efficiency Triumph 1200 café racer – the ultimate showcase of his craftsmanship.
“Ten years ago, our bike venture started to take shape,” says Will. For so long now, I’ve been tailoring these motorcycles to perfection, making them a true amalgamation of everything I’ve ever wanted in a Bonneville. The project was jointly developed by Bonneville Efficiency from Florida and Weiss Efficiency, fostering a collaborative effort. Invoiced Gately, running both the Bonneville Efficiency and the impartial Triumph Flat Track organization, unites multiple pursuits under his name. With such a stalwart ally by my side, I am grateful for the guidance he provides in navigating these significant life milestones.
“I decided to undertake a 1200-motor construction project and Invoice suggested refining every aspect.” Before long, I was thrilled to team up with him, and soon enough, we were building a brand-new bike together. “I invested considerable time and resources, pouring everything I had into the endeavour.”
The donor vehicle for this project was a 2008 Triumph Bonneville Thruxton with an air/oil-cooled engine. While on paper the Thruxton’s traditional specifications may appear somewhat dated in comparison to its more modern water-cooled counterparts. Despite initial setbacks, Will devised a strategic overhaul, starting with the foundation: the chassis.
“We reconstructed the entire spinal column, starting with the neck, and developed the rest from a blank slate.” The brand-new design features a sleek, cradle-type body that skillfully integrates with the engine to create an aerodynamic silhouette that appears to be effortlessly hovering above the ground.
The innovative chassis design now features a single-mono shock rear suspension conversion. Developed over years of intense competition in AMA Professional Flat Track racing, the design showcases Bonneville Efficiency’s expertise. The new configuration eschews the traditional twin-shock arrangement of the Thruxton, instead opting for a state-of-the-art vertically mounted Ohlins TTX fully adjustable shock absorber. With the introduction of this setup, a notable upgrade was also made to the lightweight alloy swingarm, further optimizing performance. By installing an Ohlins 43mm upside-down (USD) fork set, which offers comprehensive adjustability, riders can further enhance the bike’s performance and responsiveness at the rear.
Given the current design, Hinkley is unlikely to be held accountable for any significant efficiency issues with the engine. Although an explicit parallel-twin arrangement previously featured on certain Triumph Speed Twin models, it was ultimately banned due to its exceptional performance capabilities. The resulting outcome stemmed from a reduction in the crankshaft’s dimensions by 6 millimeters, accomplished through precise slicing and stroking techniques. The installation of a customised CNC-aluminium cylinder and a suite of high-performance pistons, which have collectively raised the displacement to 1200cc while boosting compression to an impressive 11:1 ratio. Air and gas are added to the combination by way of Okay&N air filters mated to 45mm Smoothbore Mikuni HJSR carburettors. Spark is powered by an efficient ignition system and features a Barnett moisture-managed clutch that controls the transmission. Finishing the combustion cycle is a customized 2-into-2 exhaust system mated to D&D reverse cone silencers.
Manufactured in 2008 by the Bonneville Thruxton, this 865cc parallel-twin engine produced a relatively moderate 69 horsepower at the crankshaft. This commanding engine demands respect with its 110 dyno-proven horsepower roaring behind you.
According to Will, all engine modifications at Bonneville Efficiency stem directly from their analytical expertise and continuous improvement efforts. The gleaming surface stretched from its highest point to its backside with meticulous precision. Here’s the motor envisioned as a precise Swiss timepiece encased within a sleek bicycle frame. A clear-coat epoxy was applied to seal the polished aluminum motor, preventing oxidation.
“She embodies the term ‘badass’ in every respect.” That’s a possibility, as some racing cars are capable of winning races. The bike’s racing legacy is undeniably confirmed. Exploring within will uncover the entire corporate endeavour. It shrieks at a deafening 10,000 rpm, compelling you to press onward with relentless vigor!
Will completed the design of his Bonneville’s operating system by creating a set of 12-spoke wheels using computer-aided design (CAD). The components have been meticulously crafted by Canyon Cycles using computer numerical control (CNC)-machined billet aluminum. The customized brake system ensures the wheels meet specific requirements. Upon entering, one will find a pair of 310mm Beringer floating discs, each equipped with 4-piston radial Beringer calipers. At the rear, a solitary 220mm floating disc is paired with a two-piston Beringer caliper, complemented by matching Beringer levers and reservoirs.
From the vantage point of the motive force’s seat, a unique perspective unfolds on this entire construction. The motorcycle features bolted LSL clip-on handlebars securely attached to its fork mounts. Bars fitted to Motogadget grips, switches, glassless mirrors, and bar-end flip indicators. On top of the triple clamp, a sleek white-faced Motogadget Motoscope Basic Tachometer proudly holds court, while the ignition barrel discreetly resides on the right-hand side of the bike’s body, cleverly tucked away from view.
“I relied on some low-tech methods to develop my bike design,” Will quips, “I whipped up a few hand-sketches and simply copied and pasted images of physical panels from printed diagrams – good old-fashioned problem-solving!” Following his decision to adopt an all-aluminum approach, he acquired the intricately crafted gas tank, entrance fairing, and rear cowl from renowned manufacturer Omega Racer’s skilled artisans in Thailand. The bespoke timepieces have undergone subtle modifications to optimize their functionality before being enhanced with a sophisticated gloss black and 24-karat gold leaf design.
Due to its development spanning two distinct states and factors attributed to COVID-19, the construction of the Bonneville 1200 cafe racer required a timeframe of approximately two years. Did Will successfully conclude the most significant gathering at his Los Angeles-based workshop? And so, the bicycle has found a new home in a private collection outside of its original jurisdiction.
Will declares, “Our singular focus in designing this bike was to create something truly unique among its peers, which we successfully achieved!” “This Harley-Davidson Bonneville is specifically designed to demonstrate its capabilities.” A degree to which new trendy bikes, like the Triumph line’s recent classics, can still be mesmerizing.
It’s clear that Will has consistently demonstrated his skills to a high standard, earning widespread recognition for his achievements.
Images by Jose Gallina
