The result of a challenge to design and build the ultimate Bonneville custom, TFC2: The Scrambler was built by a team of volunteers from across the Triumph business.

As the custom scene continues to expand globally, so do the vast variety of custom Scrambler-style bikes. The original Scramblers were designed as purposeful, powerful, aggressive off-road versions of a stock road bike. Desert sleds, flat trackers and scramblers all fed into the DNA of what defines a true Scrambler. And this was the code clearly adopted by Team TFC2. Their interpretation of the Scrambler would become the modern expression of this desire for performance, handling and off-road ability – The Scrambler.

Straight out of the crate and before their donor Bonneville had even reached the build bench, the team defined a design ethos based on take mass out and boost power as their recipe for success. This approach was to be coupled with geometry and suspension travel closely related to a modern competition moto-crosser to deliver an agile chassis that would provide a perfect match for the uprated power plant. First to receive attention was the existing steel frame – sacrificed in exchange for a bespoke aluminium and titanium chassis with aggressive geometry and purposeful stance. The aluminium frame also acts as a conduit to hide components such as the throttle linkage and cables. Coupled to the aluminium frame is an exquisite titanium sub-frame, hand-welded in-house before being finished with shot blast and masked welds.

The beautiful bare chassis is finished with a slight departure from the lightweight obsession. The repurposed Speed Triple swingarm is heavier than a conventional unit, but has been inverted and finished to perfection to provide another staggering detail and a clear visual Triumph cue. Incorporating the swingarm created the need for a monoshock conversion, bringing the bike closer to its modern motocross inspiration and a collaboration with Nitron Racing Systems delivered a perfectly tuned rear shock along with a bespoke set of front forks.

The Scrambler’s elegantly aggressive poise is further enhanced by the unique composite bodywork. Very early in the process the team proposed the possibility of a carbon fuel tank – but weren’t convinced of the feasibility of the idea. Ace Fibreglass and Carbon stepped in, working with the team to produce a full carbon tank, along with additional bodywork and battery tray. The tank itself weighs in at under a third of the original steel part, contributing significantly to the team’s mantra – lose weight, boost power.

With The Scrambler now weighing in at significantly less than the donor bike, the team turned their attention to the second part of their intent – boost power. The head was skimmed and ported prior to the addition of large valves and Daytona throttle bodies, teamed with a modified set of spun aluminium inlet trumpets. Still seeking more from their modified twin the team engineered a one-off set of high lift cams, with a Daytona profile. Overall the engine mods are predicted to give a 25% increase in overall power – bringing the bike to life and giving the drive to match the new chassis.

To ensure the drive gets to the dirt, the custom Triumph Scrambler is finished with 17″ Kineo wheels shod with a 180 section rear and 130 section front tyre. Why 17″ front wheels? Well, the team figured the option to fit a pair of super sticky slicks would turn the ultimate Scrambler into an outrageous Supermoto style track tool – which is no bad thing.