This page chronicles the Bullitt OG2, which is a 2013 Triumph Scrambler 900. This is our newest build and the first time back with a Triumph in too long! The content below is a summary charting the progress of the build, starting with the most recent working backward. We hope you enjoy!
Swapping to a Motone Aluminum Tank
We’ve been meaning to catch up on posts for the OG2 and, admittedly, we’re still pretty behind. The last update was on the fork swap, but to complete the front end, we need to talk about the Bullitt OG2 tank update too. With the new oversized forks and the way the fork tubes are positioned, there was a clearance issue with the stock Triumph tank. To get full lock with the new front end, we were going to have to notch the tank. Sure, we could’ve modified the stock tank, but in true racer spirit, why not swap it out for something lighter and with more fuel capacity?
A little rough starting point
I sourced a used aluminum Motone tank from a buddy, and it seemed like the perfect solution for the Bullitt OG2 tank update. It had some battle scars, but nothing a bit of elbow grease couldn’t fix. I got to work with sandpaper and brought it down to a nice matte-finished aluminum. The process was pretty straightforward, but it was definitely one of those “less thinking, more sanding” situations.
Now, if I’m being completely honest, I prefer the stock Triumph tank profile. But with the Biltwell 100 fast approaching, this Bullitt OG2 tank update seemed like the best move. A lighter tank with more capacity meant fewer stops for fuel and a bit of weight savings—both big wins when you’re preparing for a desert race.
Ooh, baby, I like it raw
When swapping the fuel pump, the shape differences between the two tanks became even more apparent. The goal has been to improve performance while riding up on the pegs. Swapping out the BC high pipes for lower Drag Pipes was the first step in that direction. A slimmer tank should allow for better knee grip and, hopefully, improve overall feel and control. Only time will tell.
While I’m digging the end result for now, I’ll admit I’m not completely sold on it. The dents on the right-hand side bug me more than I thought they would, and the seam along the bottom doesn’t sit quite right. Maybe I’m being too picky. Time will tell if this tank stays, but for now, the OG2 is race-ready, and that’s all that matters.
Not gonna lie, she looks decent out in the wild.
Bullitt OG2 Front End Transformation
Who said learning from past experiences was necessary? Despite the previous challenges I encountered swapping the front end on the Bullitt OG, the lure of a better ride proved too tempting. It’s funny how a great deal on some forks can quickly spiral into a complex, costly venture. But that was then. This time, it’s different. Or so I hoped. Let’s dive into this Triumph Scrambler fork swap adventure!
After enduring the Biltwell 100 on a near-stock setup, I was determined to transform the OG2 into a bonafide desert sled. Inspired by a friend’s impressive Triumph Scrambler fork swap on his Bonnie, I started piecing together my own upgrade. My journey took me to British Customs, where I fell for a project bike sporting CRF forks—a setup that looked just right.
I wasn’t able to photograph the BC sled in development but there was plenty of other eye candy
As fate would have it, just as I was about to purchase a pair of forks online, I received a timely call. My friend was reverting his Bonnie to its Thruxton Cup setup and offered me his complete front end assembly, including the wheels, a Cyclops halo headlight, ProTapers, and upgraded rear suspension. This offer would ease some complexities, like wheel spacers and extended brake lines, but I knew my work was still cut out for me. With the next Biltwell 100 looming, I urged him to send over the parts as soon as he could.
Don’t mind the messy garage
After an agonizing wait, the parts arrived. Dismantling was a breeze, but reassembly, as usual, proved more time-consuming. A particular stumbling block was removing the old steering bearing from the headtube—something I tackled without the proper tool until the legendary builder James from British Customs crafted a bespoke bearing removal tool for me. He also engineered a custom bearing press that perfectly seated the new lower bearing. Thanks to James and Jason for the constant support and guidance.
With a few moto buddies lending their hands, we managed to complete the Triumph Scrambler fork swap in a day. Just seeing the OG2 on its wheels again was so exciting—the bike had never looked meaner.
The pics above are from the first time getting to experience the new stance. Safe to say that’s one happy camper right there. With the new setup nearly complete, the next step was fitting the new aluminum tank.
Kicking It Up a Notch with the OG2 Motorcycle Suspension Upgrade
It’s been a while since I’ve updated you on the OG2, and with another Biltwell 100 on the horizon, it’s time to share the significant upgrades we made in 2023. We’ve overhauled the suspension, giving the OG2 a whole new level of performance and style.
Upgrades at a Glance:
- Front Suspension: A complete KTM front end for enhanced handling and stability. (more to come here)
- Rear Suspension: Dual Nitron remote reservoir rear shocks for superior comfort and control.
- Rear Wheel: A mega-wide 4.5″ x 17″ Excel rim, wrapped in a Pirelli Scorpion Rally Rear 150/70-17 tire, for improved traction and a rugged look.
Despite the initial crustiness of the used parts, a bit of elbow grease brought everything back to life. The new Nitron shocks not only outperformed the previous Works Performance shocks but also added some serious height. Paired with the knobby TKC 80s and the bronze Talon hub, the OG2 now looks and feels more formidable than ever.
One upgrade I didn’t anticipate needing was the hardware for the rear shocks. Thanks to a recommendation from our friends at British Customs, we installed their Shock Hardware Dress Up kit. It was a breeze to install and added a polished finish to the shocks—a small but impactful upgrade that I highly recommend.
Reflections and Looking Ahead:
The transformation of the OG2 has been a rewarding journey. These upgrades have not only enhanced the bike’s aesthetics but have also significantly improved its off-road capabilities. As we gear up for another adventure, I’m excited to see how these changes hold up and contribute to our overall experience.
Shock hardware kit not pictured here.
Stay tuned for a separate post detailing the KTM front-end installation, and in the meantime, I’d love to hear about your own motorcycle upgrade adventures. Share your stories in the comments below!
OG2 Update: British Customs Retro Headlight Ears
There has been a lot going on lately, and quite a few updates to the Bullitt OG2. Meaning, we’re totally behind on updates so we’ll do our best to knock them out, in the order in which they happened. I’m some cases, we kind of forgot to let off the gas so we might backtrack a step or two.
First up: British Custom’s Retro Headlight Ears and some gold tank “badges”.
The billet aluminum feels super high-quality. The installation was a breeze and the ears are a massive visual upgrade over the stock units. You can get yours here, and get 10% off while you’re at it!
Next up: Gold tank badges.
Did we ever mention that we loooove gold? Well, maybe we don’t love it as much as Austin Power’s Goldmember, but it seem to jive with some bits on the bike. Actually, a burnt bronze like we had on the Bullitt 821 would be pretty rad, and got us thinking about ceramic coating the new exhaust, but that conversation’s for another day.
We sourced a vendor on Etsy and had some die-cut decals made in gold to match the gas cap and a few other details. Knowing that custom paint is the ultimate goal, these will do just fine for now.
Yes, we removed the clear backer on the badges
Getting some seat time on The Bullitt OG2
Part of the fun of getting a new personal build together is being able to take my time and decide what I do and don’t like about the bike. There’s definitely been a handful of mods to the bike I’ve wanted to undo, which I suppose is also pretty normal. As much as I love the sound of the Arrow Exhaust, there was just something about them that I knew didn’t resonate with me. Firstly, I suspect it’s just that they’re such a common exhaust. Secondly, the inverted headers drive me up the wall but I know that’s a pretty easy fix.
I’m still on the fence with the steering stabilizer too. It’s mostly an eye sore to me, and while I’ve had a tank slapper or two on the OG, this one is not going to be set up for top speeds. More adventure and dirt in the end. Do I want such a large stabilizer for dirt? I truly don’t know that answer…yet.
Funny enough, I get a lot of compliments on the fugly bronze gas cap but I don’t like it one bit. I thought I was kind of stuck with the bronze speedo ring too, so I had some bronze “Triumph” lettering made up. I realize that all of this is kind of temporary as I’m planing custom paint for the tank. That being said, I do quite like the bronze/gold on the tank.
Since my last check in, we had added the British Customs Slammer Seat, which I love. Miles in the seat down, and I’m still happy as can be with it. Another upgrade that made a huge visual upgrade to me was the BC billet headlight ears. It’s a good start but I still want to lose the smaller Scrambler headlight and upgrade to a standard 7″ bucket.
I’ve been running the British Customs high fender bracket and Thruxton front fender. I haven’t repainted it yet as I feel like everything is still in a mock up phase of sorts. Still deciding if I want the high fender, and if I want the Thrux fender of something different. I’ve got a more vintage front fender that matches the rear I may play around with.
Up next, airbox delete and new exhaust. Can’t wait to get that going and to share back with y’all. What do you think of the build so far? Any suggestions on where to go next? Seriously, I’d love to hear from you.
The Bullitt OG2 gets its start
I guess to some extent, this is my adult version of playing dress up. We’ve got the new bike, and through our homies at British Customs, we have the good fortune to be able to play around with parts. I cruised over to the HQ the other day and was shooting the breeze, chatting about direction for the build. We just started out pulling down bins with old parts; fenders, brackets, headlight buckets from previous builds. Just messing around, having a few beers and imagining what the bike could evolve into. THIS is what I love most about building bikes. I have a general idea, yet the process is organic. No digital mock ups of a finished project. We literally bolt shit on, and see if we like it. Can I get a Hallelujah?!
Before you look at the pictures of this bike, let me preface this by saying there are still plenty of “mods” that came on the bike I don’t like. But again, this is a process. First things first, bailing that fugly shortie fender. I pulled the bracket and went with a British Customs High Fender Bracket. We snagged a green Thruxton front fender and we’re already on our way! I haven’t even bothered to paint it because I’m still not sure it’s staying.
Next up was getting a cleaner seat. I’ve always been a fan of the BC Slammer Seat and knew I needed to ride around with one. I actually was thinking of going with brown, but until we strip the paint and go with a new look, better keep it black. For now, I decided to go with the “Tuck & Roll Slammer Seat” and I haven’t been disappointed.
Something noteworthy, and pretty funny, I realized after seeing a photo of our Nate from BA Moto’s Scrambler, that the former owner of this Scrambler installed the Arrow headers upside down. Basically the right’s on the left and the left’s on the right. I’d fix it, but even for how good it sounds (which it does), I don’t plan to keep the Arrow. I’m being a pain in BC’s ass, but I’m on them to bring back the dual sided high pipes. That’s just something I knew I needed.
To keep things clean under that lovely new seat, I installed a new under tail kit. Super easy and perfect fit!
Basic design inspiration for this build is 1960’s desert sled with a modern twist. So, I really wanted classic style fenders (might play around up front) but British Customs CEO Jason pulled out some old fenders from a bygone project. I was drooling and knew I had to try them out. The rear is killer and it might be on for good. It’s funny as I spent nearly a decade trying to “eliminate” fenders and now here I am psyched on adding on a vintage, and somewhat large, fender. Funny how we evolve. Or maybe, I just understand that this style requires one.
I’ve got pictures of the bike with all the new parts installed, but I’m gonna make you wait. More to come. Stick around. Stay tuned. Enjoy the ride…cuz we plan to.
A new journey begins
I never could have guessed how much one purchase could change my life until I bought my first Triumph back in 2008. I had grown up riding dirt bikes as a kid and even had a motorcycle to commute on in college (love that SV650) but something about the Triumphs spoke to me in ways nothing else ever had. Even before purchasing one, I fell head over heels for them. Devouring as much information as I could find; the history of the brand, the influence the wars had on transportation, the birth of the cafe racer era. I literally couldn’t get enough. I went so far as geeking out on the history of the Triumph logo. For some reason, I needed to understand why operations shut down in Meriden and how John Bloor revived the brand, moving them to Hinkley in the early 80’s. The infatuation was not logical and I couldn’t even explain when I was so enamored. I just was.
The Bullitt OG2 in its “stock” form
Subsequently, there just wasn’t much information available at on cafe racers in 2005-2007. There was a couple companies making aftermarket parts but there were no big custom motorcycle websites, blogs, or Instagram at all. Funny to look back now and say that information on custom bikes was much harder to get “way back in 2006”. I was working my first post-college big boy job but still not making much money and didn’t think financing a brand new motorcycle was in the cards at the time. I was still rubbing pennies together to try to make rent and feed myself! I had my eye set on a Thruxton back then but they were brand new so used Thruxtons weren’t happening. Next on the list was a Scrambler 900. Still too expensive.
A year or two went by and my obsession for Triumph did not subside, and I was squirreling away a few extra bucks here and there. Finally, I found someone online selling a Bonnie for way too cheap. I made sure it wasn’t a mistake or a scam and literally left work midday and scrambled to snag the bike before the seller came to his senses. It was a 90 min drive through deep LA and I found a ride out there. I had ridden freeways before, but never through busy LA traffic, and certainly never that far before, but I didn’t care! I had finally secured my dream machine.
Stoked on a few of the accessories – but certainly not all
The dream machine evolved into my first real two-wheeled love, known better today as the Bullitt OG. That bike was my drug. Many years and many adventures later I found myself working for Ducati North America. At the time we had a French CEO (who I came to love) but he would give me endless shit for parking the OG in the back with all the Ducatis. It felt like it was time to move on and I naively sold her. This was back in 2016 if my mind still serves me. Since then I’ve had many bikes – many much faster and more capable bikes – but in some fundamental way, few even got close to scratching the same itch that my OG did. Across late nights and with bloody knuckles, I changed, removed, touched, upgraded and painted every surface on that bike multiple times. I knew it like I new a lover. Never had I shared such a bond with a heap of metal.
So, time marches on. Jobs and circumstances change and I’ve longed for another Triumph. Flash forward to a shitty 2020 and I needed a pick-me-up. I wasn’t really even shopping for another Triumph intentionally. One late night, I stumbled across a deal, showed up with cash – way less than he was asking – and he begrudgingly accepted. I left my car in Long Beach and rode that mother fucker home. Well, ladies and gentleman, this is the new Bullitt OG2, and we’re gonna do this thing all over again. And frankly, I couldn’t be more excited.
This time around I’m partnering with British Customs and somehow am more excited for this build than I was for the original. I’ve gained knowledge, skills, and industry connections. I have big aspirations for this bike but one thing I’ve promised myself is that I’m going to take my time, enjoy the journey more, and have a good time watching this bike evolve. Maybe it’s because I’m a dad now and am forcing myself to slow down and watch my kids grow. Shit, maybe I’m just getting older… Either way, we’re about to embark on a killer journey and I’m so happy to have you ride along.
All photos you see here are of the “stock” condition I purchased it in. Stay tuned to see where we take the Bullitt OG2 from here.
