Battle of the Bonnevilles kicks off

● VE Day tribute machine in the running for top honours

This, military-style Bonneville, inspired by the 70th anniversary of VE Day, is one of the favourites to win this year’s Triumph-sponsored ‘Bonneville Build-Off Challenge’ – and you’re invited to vote for the winner.

It’s been built by Bristol dealer Fowlers and it’s one of the nine finalists. All of the entrants have been submitted by Triumph dealers in the UK and all the bikes can now be viewed online and voted for. Called the VE Day Commemorative Bike, it’s been built by Fowlers’ master technicians Tony Crocker and Sam Upton. Based on a Bonnie Bobber, the machine uses a combination of vintage, military-inspired themes with modern mechanicals.

This is the second running of the competition after its debut in 2019 was won by Laguna Ashford. New for 2020 is a dedicated website that features a selection of photos and details about all the bikes. And while the overall winner will again be decided by public vote, another new addition is the creation of four secondary awards, chosen by a panel of Triumph-riding celebrities.

The Design Award will be crowned by architect and TV presenter George Clarke; the Inspiration Award by Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton; the Paint & Custom Award by custom builder Jody Millhouse of Thornton Hundred and the Retail Choice Award by Triumph UK General Manager Devron Boulton.

Other entrants, which can be seen in all their glory on the site, include a flat tracker by Norfolk Triumph, faired Speed Racer by Edinburgh Triumph and a Scrambler by Triumph North London, plus ‘Reggie’s Café Racer’ by Oxford Triumph, the ‘Thruxton BB’ by Bevan & Sons of Cardiff, the ‘Spitfire’ by A1 Moto of York, the ‘Speed Twin JLC’ by Triumph West London (formerly Jack Lilley) and ‘Crushed Ice’ by Destination Triumph. Voting is open until October 14 and the winners will be revealed on October 28. See them at triumphmotorcycles. co.uk/bonneville-build-off.

1 2 3 4 5 Army detail Wide boy The paint is army-issue matt green – even on the clocks – while the engine, exhaust and forks are all satin black. Stock Bobber handlebars have been replaced with 1940s-style wide ‘beach’ bars. Fowlers have added commemorative VE Day badging on the engine cases, cylinder block and even the clock face. VE Day inspiration prompted the use of an authentic canvas pannier, tool bag and even a compass. Fowlers’ bike uses girder forks in place of the donor-bike Bobber’s telescopics but retains the monoshock rear end. WW2 touches Green & black Forks off

Edinburgh Triumph used a Daytona 1200 fairing

Norfolk Triumph’s ‘Flat Bonnie’ is T100 based

Scrambler 900 is by Triumph North London