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Article By: GTP
Photos By: Melissa Shoemaker
Originally Published In The November 2018 Issue Of Cycle Source Magazine
Kerry Fernholz, General Manager for Iron Horse / Broken Spoke in Sturgis, has been in the been in the motorcycle game for a minute or two. When he found himself browsing the local cheap sheets he wasn’t necessarily looking for a bike and Scott Witherspoon wasn’t really selling the Triumph he was building either, he just put the add up on Craigslist to test the waters. When Kerry saw it, he was hooked and replied to the add convincing Scott that he needed to sell the bike to him…so he did. The bike in question is this ’65 Triumph Bonneville. This project started as a build Scott did for himself with the intention of selling it as an afterthought. He built the bike the way he wanted it and Kerry just happened to have the same tastes.
The factory ’65 Bonneville was stripped down to the frame where the modifi cation began. Starting with a bolt on hardtail from Factory Metal Works. All custom fabricated motor mounts and gussets. The factory neck gusset and rear motor mount were removed and replaced with formed tubing. A 71/72 front end with conical style hub was adapted to the 1965 frame and then powder coated. A ’66 Bonneville motor was installed and running strong without a rebuild. A set of Mikuni carbs now replaced the originals and a Joe Hunt magneto was used to keep things interesting. Scott fabricated the exhaust with ripple pipe and trumpet tips for a sanitary look and big bark.
The wheels are factory front and rear and were treated to powder coated rims with the hubs laced with stainless spokes. Stock brakes were used front and rear and provide ample stopping power on this lightweight bike. The tins, the tank and rear fender are Lowbrow Custom items slathered with trick paint and graphics by Flame Thrower Customs in Ohio. It was painted to keep the onlookers salivating and are what really caught Kerry’s eye and what more or less clinched the deal. A set of fabricated foot pegs were made to work with stock mounting location and peg rubbers. Polished stainless sissy bar and handlebars were made in house by Scott. Finally, a seat of unknown origin was sprung and now sits pretty on top.
According to Kerry, the bike was built right and built to ride. He has reported little to no problems with the little hard runner. It rides comfortable despite the hardtail and the noise from those trumpet pipes is loud but reportedly not annoying. is ridden, it’s not just some eye candy for some rich guys living room. Although Kerry says it isn’t the bike he’d choose to ride cross country but as far as bar hoppers goes, it fi ts the bill. Kerry has lost track of Scott since he bought the bike and luckily Scott did a bang-up job. So, if any of you happen to know Scott, let him know that his little Brit creation is alive and well and rollin’ around in North Dakota. It’s good to know that people still take pride in their work, even if they will never see it again. “GTP”
BAR HOPPER TECH SHEET
Owner: Kerry Fernholz
City/State: Fargo, ND
Builder: Scott Witherspoon
Year: 1965
Model: Bonneville T120
Value: Priceless
Time: Unknown
ENGINE
Year: 1966
Model: T120
Builder: Scott Witherspoon
Ignition:
Displacement: 1200cc
Pistons: Stock
Heads: Stock
Carb: Mikuni
Cam: Stock
Air Cleaner: S&S
Exhaust: Scott Witherspoon
Primary:
TRANSMISSION
Year: 1965
Make: Triumph
Shifting:
FRAME
Year: 1965
Model: Triumph
Hardtail: Factory Metal Works
Stretch:
FORKS
Builder: Triumph
Type: Stock
Triple Trees:
Extension:
WHEELS
Front Wheel: Stock
Size: 19”
Front Brake: Stock
Rear Wheel: Stock
Size: 16”
Tire:
Rear Brake: Stock
PAINT
Painter: Flame Thrower Customs
Color: Black & Silver
Type: Base/Clear
Graphics: Flame Thrower Customs
Chroming:
ACCESSORIES
Bars: Scott Witherspoon
Risers:
Hand Controls:
Foot Controls: Scott Witherspoon
Gas Tank: Lowbrow Customs
Oil Tank:
Front Fender: None
Rear Fender: Flame Thrower Customs
Seat:
Headlight:
Tail Light:
Speedo: None
photographer: Missi Shoemaker
