One Awesome Triumph Bonneville Custom From Toro Meyer

It appears Chris  “Toro” Meyer, has had a wild ride through this life so far, and if all goes to plan, it’s going to get a lot wilder in the next year.

Toro, aside from building this really fine Triumph Bonneville custom, The Bonneville Black, is planning to make a run at a speed record at, you guessed it, the Bonneville Salt Flats some time in 2013.

Meyer now calls Morrisville, North Carolina, home, but he’s currently planning a move to Houston, Texas for his work as Systems Design Engineer for an automation company. His job takes him all over the world and he says it gives him a chance to own, ride and gawk at all manner of motorcycle variations. His quest has taken him to motorcycle shops, shows and museums throughout the US, UK and – all over Europe and Asia.

Aside from being a world traveler, he’s also an administrator for the Brit Iron Rebels (founded by Poison Drummer Rikki Rockett), the drummer from that awesome hair band, Poison.  The Brit Iron Rebels came together in 2004 as a gang of hooligans from around the world dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and promotion of classic and retro-styled British motorcycles.

“I started my love affair with motorcycles and motorcycling at a very early age. My step-father, a non-rider at the time, purchased the first motorcycle I ever rode – a 1974 Honda MR50,” Meyer said. “I immediately knew motorcycling would be become a lifelong passion. I’ve owned and customized over 20 different motorcycles across multiple brands. I began my current focus on Cafe Racers and Bobbers around six years ago, and continue to look forward to – and dream about – what’s next in the motorcycle world.”

According to Meyer, his favorite bikes can be described as “Less is More” machines.

“I build and customize motorcycles to suit my tastes rather than the masses,” Meyer said. “If I don’t have passion for it, then how could anyone else? I appreciate subtle styling cues and attention to detail.  Motorcycles of all marques appeal to me for their craftsmanship, their beauty and the emotion that I feel in regards to the particular motorcycle.”

And he’s not the only one paying attention to the details. Meyer’s bikes have taken a long list of titles at various bikes hows across the nation and The Bonneville Black will take its place on the line at the Progressive International Motorcycle Show in Charlotte, North Carolina next week.

What’s next? Oh yeah, there’s that Bonneville Salt Flats thing. Meyer plans to pull together various components from a pile of 2006 Triumph Scramblers ( he has  a total of five waiting for their shot at glory) to be the foundation of his 2013 Land Speed Record project for next year. He’s working on sourcing parts and design plans to build his modern Triumph  for the 2013 Bonneville Speed Week – and it will feature a double-engine design.

If you need to check out more of what “Toro” has been up to, check out these handy-dandy links:
http://www.britironrebels.com/botm6.shtml
http://motochimp.blogspot.com/2011/09/toros.html
http://www.joshuahoffmanphoto.com/album/toros_bonnie

The inside skinny on Chris “Toro” Meyer’s Bonneville Black:

Engine built and wiring customizations were done byRay Price Triumph Performance Shop

Performance Upgrades:

• British Customs Black Ceramic Coated Headers
• British Customs Predators
• British Customs Airbox Elimination Kit
• British Customs Low Profile Air Injection Kit
• British Customs Billet Intake Manifolds
• British Customs Performance Cams
• British Customs Performance Cylinder Head w/ Custom 6mm Oversized Intake and 5mm Oversized Exhaust Valves
• 2011 Triumph EFI engine cases
• 1087cc Bored and Sleeved Cylinders
• ¼” Stroked Crankshaft w/lightened Flywheel (-2lbs)
• FCR 39mm Flat Slide Racing Carburetors
• Oil Pressure Gauge Kit
• Pingle Pro Flow Fuel Petcock
• Pingle Pro Flow Adapter Plate
• Nology Pro Fire Coil
• Nology Hot wires
• T6 Aluminum Downtube Oil Coolers
• Wiseco Pistons (Custom-sized)
• Carillo Connecting Rods
• K & N Air Filters
• Procom Programmable CDI Box
• Barnett High Performance Clutch Kit
• Scotts Performance Stainless Steel Micronic Oil Filter
• EK525 MVXZ Quadra-X Chain

Driveline:

• British Customs Direct Mount Front Brake Reservoir Kit
• Rizoma Billet Rear Brake Reservoir
• Carrozzeria Forged Aluminum Wheels
• Galfer Front Brake Rotor
• Braking Rear Rotor
• Bridgestone BattleAx BT023 110/80 ZR 18 Front Tyre
• Bridgestone BattleAx BT023 170/60 ZR 17 Rear Tyre
• Vortex Rear Sprocket
• LSL Sprocket Cover
• EBC Brake Pads

Suspension:

• SuperBrace Fork Brace
• Ohlins S36E Rear Shocks
• Progressive Fork Springs
• LSL Steering Dampener
• Triumph Thruxton Lower Legs

Controls:

• British Customs Control Clamps
• British Customs ‘Stealth’ Triple Clamp
• Motogadget Motoscope Mini Digital Dashboard
• Motogadget M-Swtiches
• Pazzo 6-way Adjustable ‘Shorty’ Racing Levers
• LSL Clip Ons
• LSL Rearsets
• LSL Passenger Pegs
• Triumph Thruxton Stock Controls

Lighting:

• British Customs Cateye Taillight
• British Customs Rear Turn Signal Relocation Kit
• British Customs Front Turn Signal Bracket
• Kellerman Turn signals
• Easy Start Headlight Control Module
• Motogadget Motosign Mini Indicators Lights

Bodywork:

• British Customs Low Profile Seat Screws
• British Customs Flush Mount Gas Cap
• British Customs Fender Eliminator Kit
• Triumph Skid Plate
• Triumph Thruxton Contemporary Seat
• Triumph Knee Pads
• Custom Satin Black Powdercoating

Accessories:

• British Customs Ignition Relocation Kit w/Custom Push Button Start
• British Customs Clutch Cable Bracket
• British Customs Clutch Lifter Arm Finisher
• Spiegler Stainless Steel Braided Brake Lines
• Triumph Fork Gaiters
• Joker Machine Shock Bolt Dress-up Kit
• Joker Machine Fork Stem Cap
• Joker Machine Oil Filler Plug
• Pazzo Racing Pre-Load Adjusters
• Rizoma Sportline Billet Grips
• Rizoma Conical Bar Ends
• Rizoma “Class Retro” Bar End Mirror
• LSL Headlamp Ears
• LSL Framesliders
• LSL Passenger Pegs
• R & G Fork Sliders
• Headlight Stoneguard
• Custom Wire Covering
• UK Tax ID Holder