When MotoGP comes to town, motorcycle events are plentiful, including custom shows. The big one during this weekend’s MotoGP round at Circuit of the Americas is the Handbuilt Motorcycle Show in downtown Austin.
This year’s Handbuilt show, which features motorcycles on display by invitation only, will include two special celebrity Triumphs – a Thruxton built by the California-based Kott Motorcycles for actor Ryan Reynolds, and a Bonneville that was rebuilt by Triumph of Westchester for Jessi Combs.
As for the Thruxton, this was the first Triumph build for Kott MMotorcycles, whose owner Dustin Kott is known for building late 1970s Hondas.
Taking design cues from Ryan, Dustin finished the 2014 Thruxton with a mid-1960’s look featuring a timeless, cinnamon red paint job and pewter striping, Triumph reports.
“Triumph has always been a manufacturer that I’ve looked up to, and I was excited when the opportunity came around to work with them,” said Dustin Kott. “Ryan and I were able to reimagine the Thruxton with this project while still sticking to the bike’s roots.”
On the other side of the country, Triumph of Westchester rebuilt Jessi Combs’ 2012 Bonneville after her unfortunate accident with the bike last fall. Jessi donated her insurance claim reimbursement to the nonprofit Helping With Horsepower, based in Mitchell, S.D., when Castrol and Triumph offered to assist her with her Bonneville. With an engine kit from Carpenter Racing, a Power Commander and a British Customs Shorty Exhaust fitted on it, the Bonneville now has an output of 90 horsepower, Triumph reports.
The Handbult Motorcycle Show is located at 1100 East 5th Street, Austin, TX 78702. Entrance to the show is free of charge to the public. For additional information, visit www.HandbuiltMotorcycleShow.com.