Hot Rod-inspired Bonneville Brat from Brittany’s RV Workshop Motorcycles…
In 2008, Triumph introduced fuel injection to the 865cc parallel-twin of their neo-classic mainstay, the Bonneville. The T100 was the up-spec version of the standard Bonnie, and the SE (Special Edition), inspired by the 1979 T140D Special Edition — the first Triumph to feature mag wheels and electronic ignition — added 17-inch alloy mags, 41mm Kayaba forks, shorter fenders, a lower and narrower seat, and other upgrades.
“In a modern context it lacks some amenities; there’s no ABS, and the dash is hardly more than two analog dials, but the reason we like the Bonneville is because it’s more than that. It’s a functional, sweet-hearted machine that has been faithfully redrawn and superbly finished to create a truly capable and enjoyable motorcycle.” –Motorcyclist
This 2010 T100 SE comes from our buddy Damien of Brittany, France’s RV Workshop, whose projects have graced our pages several times in the past. He built this “Hot Rod Bonnie” for the 2026 Lyon Kustom Factory showcase, organized by the Hangar Zero 1 to accompany France’s massive Salon du 2 Roues (“Two-Wheeled Show”). The client gave Damien free rein as far as the design:
“Transformation of a neo-classic, fuel-injected base into a modern bratstyle machine with Hot Rod influences. A low, compact stance, spoked wheels, and vintage square-profile tires (Hot Rod style) provide a strong mechanical presence, inspired by the Hot Rod universe.”
The custom and fabrication work was extensive. Damien gives us a full rundown below, but highlights include a shortened rear subframe with Sellerie Tendance saddle, custom aluminum belly pan, custom aluminum indicator / license plate / speedometer brackets, minimalist switchgear (with internal wiring), Motogadget electronics, brushed aluminum engine cases with matching brushed alloy paint effects on the tank, full LED lighting, and more.
The airbox was swapped out for a pair of high-flow BMC Racing filters, and the exhaust is an Arrow Performance 2-into-1 with the Triumph logo. The 17-inch Triumph mags were retained, and the bike is running beefy vintage-style square-profile tires that heighten the old-school hot rod aesthetic.
Some folks belittle these tires from a performance standpoint, but there’s no doubt they look complete the look…and this bike is built for everyday cruising, not canyon carving.
“It was very satisfying to complete this project with a client who gave me free rein, all with the goal of creating a custom-looking machine that’s still practical for everyday use — a motorcycle for daily riding.”
The bike looked great under the lights of the Lyon Kustom Factory exhibit, and it will be at the Hanger Zero 1 show soon. Congrats to Damien for another stellar build. Below is our full interview with him about the build, including more photos courtesy of Les Studios de Broceliande.
Triumph Bonneville Brat: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
Damien, a motorcycle mechanic in Brittany, France. I’ve been passionate about mechanics for over 15 years.
For the past 6 years, I’ve run the “RV WORKSHOP Motorcycles” workshop to build custom motorcycles for my clients.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
Triumph Bonneville T100 SE 2010.
• Why was this bike built?
I built this motorcycle for a client and exhibited it at the Lyon Kustom Factory exhibition during the 2026 Lyon Motorcycle Show.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
Transformation of a neo-classic, fuel-injected base into a modern bratstyle machine with Hot Rod influences. A low, compact stance, spoked wheels, and vintage square-profile tires (Hot Rod style) provide a strong mechanical presence, inspired by the Hot Rod universe.
Overall brushed aluminum work creates visual continuity between the paint, engine, and custom-made parts.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
A lot of work has been done on this machine, including the creation of a shortened rear subframe, custom leather and Alcantara upholstery (made by Sellerie Tendance), a custom aluminum belly pan, a license plate bracket, a custom aluminum rear turn signal bracket, a custom Motogadget speedometer bracket, the installation of an Arrow Performance 2-into-1 exhaust system with the Triumph logo, the removal of the original airbox and its replacement with BMC Racing cone air filters, and the installation of front and passenger footpegs from the Bonneville T120 for a more elegant look.
All the engine casings have been brushed, and the tank painted with a brushed aluminum effect and matching engine fins on the side. Other highlights include the replacement of the chrome shocks with newer black and chrome Triumph units, the installation of minimalist all-black switchgear with internal wiring routing, a complete cockpit and Motogadget accessories (bar-end turn signals, grips, speedometer), and full LED lighting.
Turn signals and taillights from V Parts, front headlight from “Bonvent Motorbike” to maintain the compact and minimalist hot rod aesthetic.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
HOT ROD BONNIE.
• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance figures?
Weight: 200 KG
Engine: Parallel twin, 4-stroke, fuel injected with faux carburetors / 885 cc 71 hp
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
It was very satisfying to complete this project with a client who gave me free rein, all with the goal of creating a custom-looking machine that’s still practical for everyday use — a motorcycle for daily riding.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
I’m very happy with the overall look of the motorcycle and its hot rod style.
• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
I would like to thank my welding colleague, without whom all this fabrication work would not have been possible; the painter for the paintwork and details on the tank; the photographer Les Studios de Brocéliande for these photos; all my partners and suppliers for the parts: MOTOGADGET, MOTONE, V-PARTS, BIHR; Sellerie Tendance for the upholstery work; and especially the owner and client of the motorcycle for proposing the project to me.
Thanks also to Franck Gailly of Lyon Kustom Factory (and all the volunteers at Hangar Zero 1) for organizing everything at the Lyon Motorcycle Show.
Follow the Builder
Facebook: RV Workshop
Instagram: @rvworkshopmotorcycles
Upholstery: @sellerietendance
Photography: Les Studios de Broceliande | @lesstudiosdebroceliande
More from RV Workshop
Hot Rod Bonnie: Brat-Style Triumph T100 Special Edition - Hot Rod-inspired Bonneville Brat from Brittany’s RV Workshop Motorcycles… In 2008, Triumph introduced fuel injection to the 865cc parallel-twin of their neo-classic mainstay, the Bonneville. The T100 was the up-spec version of the standard Bonnie, […]
Street Racer: Triumph Street Triple 675 - In 2007, Triumph took the 675cc liquid-cooled triple-cylinder supersport engine from the Daytona 675 and put it in a streetfighter-style naked machine modeled after the mighty Speed Triple 1050. The three-cylinder engine crossed the grunt […]
Big Bore Four: Yamaha XJR1200 Café Racer - A Reborn XJR from RV Workshop… After the introduction of the original Suzuki GSX-R in the mid-1980s, sporting motorcycles began to move quickly toward aluminum frames, monoshocks, liquid-cooled engines, and full fairings — the hallmarks […]
Black ‘n Blue: Suzuki Bandit 1200 Café Racer - Rebuilt Muscle Bike from Brittany’s RV Workshop… Few bikes have earned the cult following of the Suzuki Bandit 1200. In 1996, Suzuki took the air/oil-cooled engine from the GSX-R1100, punched up the capacity, stuck […]
