There is no denying Triumph designer Edward Turner’s talent for creating a pretty motorcycle. The lines, the shapes, the mixture of finishes, including polished alloy, chrome, and paint all coalesced to create a stunning stock product. In the early 1950s, perhaps one of the prettiest was the Triumph 6T, or Thunderbird.
As beautiful as the factory machines might have been, it didn’t take long for owners to begin customizing their motorcycles. In the U.S., aftermarket and accessory companies, such as Bates, Flanders, MCM, Superior, and Webco, began manufacturing parts to help enthusiasts personalize not only British-built models from the likes of BSA, Norton, and Triumph but also American-made machines, and later, Japanese bikes.
Aftermarket parts redefine motorcycle styling
In our collecting and restoring world with a focus on “stock” motorcycles,…
