A lot of the customs we see look great, but are rarely put to the test on the road or track. Not so with “Crazy Bonnie” — a 2006 Triumph Bonneville street dragster that recently took first place in the drags at Monza.
The bike is the creation of French workshop, FCR Original, founded five years ago by engineers Mathieu Ménard (29 years old) and Sébastien Guillemot (33 years old), who work with Espera Sbarro, an expert in composite materials and bodywork. This crew has quickly displayed their bike-building prowess, winning several French Dragster National Championships, with wins in 2012 and 2013 in the Street Bike category, then 2014 French vice-champion in the Super Street Bike category.
Below, we get the full story on this Triumph Bonneville street dragster, with all photography courtesy of Christine Gabler of Frankfurt, Germany.
Triumph Bonneville Street Dragster: Builder Interview
(Answers by FCR. Highlights by us.)
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
Between instinct and efficiency, the bikes built by the FCR Original workshop are aesthetic, unique, innovative, more importantly functional creations.
FCR Original workshop, over the past five years, having devoted itself only to custom bike building, with an amount of know-how mastered by its two founders: Mathieu Ménard (29 years old) and Sébastien Guillemot (33 years old). The first have the skills acquired in the engineering field, alongside Espera Sbarro. The second one excels in composite materials and bodyworks (Ligier competition & Oreca).
FCR Original has been recognized as one of the leading bike building workshops, for its creativity and workmanship provide to each of its projects. The approach has brought this development and the confidence of its clients, whatever their lifestyle.
The FCR Original trademark, resulting of the workshop technical near-autonomous, is reflected in the coherence of each bike and unique accessories designed and developed in-house. FCR Original is riding on exceptional partners to carrying out specific operations as various surface treatments (anodization, DLC…), water jet cutting and complex machining.
Beyond its creative abilities, FCR Original integrates all the skills required for the success of every project it takes on.
• Design department: computer-aided design (CAD) about parts production
• Mechanics: restoration of old engines and motor preparation dedicated to the Competition.
• Metallurgy: boiler making, TIG/MIG weld (titanium, stainless steel, aluminium).
• Bodywork: tin and plastic repairs.
• Painting: paint booths, colorimetric laboratory.
• Composite: design and production parts, Kevlar, carbon, fiberglass.
Moreover, this performance comes through with several Dragster French National Championships titles in just 3 years: French Champion in 2012 and 2013 in Street Bike category, then French vice-champion 2014 in Super Street Bike category. The team is also active on the Sultans of Sprint event featuring master of ceremonies Sir Sébastien Lorentz.
The latest official results: a second place on Café Racer festival sprint 2016 edition and a first place on the mythic Monza circuit against Italian team, with our Bonneville Crazy Bonnie, latest racing monster of the workshop.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the bike?
The Crazy Bonnie is a Triumph Bonneville, 2006.
• Why was this bike built?
We decide to build this bike because we like and use to work on Bonneville, so we wanted to express a wide range of technical skills on one project on basis of Bonneville.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
The design concept is a concept of Street Dragster and the build was influenced by our dragster pilot experience (as you can read in our company presentation). Moreover, the Crazy Bonnie is engaged to the European custom bike tour with the second edition of the Sultans of Sprint championship.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
Motorisation:
• Treating ceramic engine crankcase
• Engine-head prepared ( big inlet and exhaust valve)
• Strong valve springs Kibblewhite
• FCR Original Engine displacement kit
• Custom-made camshaft
• Mikuni HSR 42 Carburettor
• Dyna 2000 Ignition
• Removal ignition rotor
• NX Nitrous Kit
• Engine metrology
• Lithium battery
• FCR Original Pro-Pipe line
• Carillo Connecting rod
• Wiseco Piston
• Well-balanced connecting rod
• Balancing shafts deleted
Cycling assembly:
• Marchesini wheels
• FCR Original triple clamp
• Modified framework
• FCR Original Cantilever assembly
• EMC custom designed suspension
• FCR Original modified fork
• DLC fork treatment
• Carbon handlebar
• MC brake and Beringer clutch
• Shit-Light Dynatek
• FCR Original battery rack
Covering:
• FCR Original paintwork
• Isde/FCR Original carbon covering
⇒ Work in progress for the final objective: 330lbs for 150cv!!!!
• How would you classify this bike?
This bike is a Street Dragster.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
During this build, we are particularly proud of the work on the engine, insofar as we have seen it come such a long way because the build was on a basis of Triumph Bonneville!!!
Follow the Builder and Photographer
- Follow FCR Original: Facebook | Instagram | Web
- Follow Photographer Christine Gabler: Facebook | Instagram
Maybe I missed it, what times, and MPH, did the bike run?
Still waiting for 2017 ETs, but looks like she ran 5.8/6.04 eight-miles at the 2016 Sultans of Sprint, finishing 6th, whereas the winner (Schlachtwerk “Skinny Beast” pictured above) ran 4.96/4.77.
Yes, I would be interested in the times too, please?
Hey guys, I’m still waiting for 2017 ETs, but looks like she ran 5.8/6.04 eight-miles at the 2016 Sultans of Sprint, finishing 6th, whereas the podium finishers ran 4.77 to 5.16.
what about the other bike in the last photo..looks very interesting..more street dragsters!!!