Talk about Thornton Hundred, is to do it with one of the global specialists with the most experience in preparations carried out on the different platforms that Triumph offers in its range of models in recent years. Your new TF450E Supermoto It only ratifies this paradigm and highlights the idea that, sometimes, it is builders external to the brands themselves who come up with concepts that the latter should, at least, consider offering as series models.
TF450E Supermoto: a personal vision of what an SM should be
Thornton Hundred, with Jody Millhouse at the top, they never cease to surprise us when they reveal to us some of their latest genius. In this context, the recently presented TF450E Supermoto has caught us off guard. Not only because it departs from the classic style that all the British specialist’s projects usually enjoy. Also because with it they have given Triumph a golden opportunity to delight us with something like this in the form of a street motorcycle.
Let us remember that Hinckley unveiled their new model at the end of April last year. As soon as the Millhouse brothers were introduced, as if it were a revelation, they learned of its enormous potential beyond off-road driving. As Bike Bound describes well, “What followed was an ambitious exercise in modern motorcycle engineering, with carbon fiber wheels, large-scale 3D printing and custom manufacturing so complex it would make even the most experienced builder sweat.”.
The TF450E Supermoto in detail
Starting from the excellent technical platform provided by the TF 450-E, the Thornton Hundred team included a host of components and modifications with which to achieve the desired final result. Among them we can highlight:
- Custom 17” SM Pro Platinum rims with machined hubs
- Bridgestone Battlax Adventurecross AX41S Tires
- Rotobox Carbon Fiber Rims
- Front fender and rear tail designed and printed in 3D
- New lighting system
- Multiple CNC components, etc.
A very important part of this modification project is the result of Thornton Hundred’s collaboration with Bambu Laba company specialized in 3D printing technology. “The Triumph was digitally scanned, components were designed using CAD and numerous prototypes were produced to perfect the fit”our colleagues explain in the detailed article about the project that they recently published.
After more than 400 printer hours during the development and manufacturing process of the TF450E Supermotoone thing is clear: This is not simply an enduro bike with road wheels. It’s Jody Millhouse’s personal vision of what a superbike should be like. And it has not been easy to reach this conclusion, since, in addition to everything described, numerous technical changes also had to be made to achieve efficient operation.
For example, replace the standard 13-tooth front sprocket with a 14-tooth one and include a 49-tooth rear chainring, with a damping system using silenblocks integrated into the carbon wheel for better road performance. The braking system supports also had to be modified to allow the six-inch tire to fit without rubbing against the swingarm.
To top it off, Thornton Hundred had the bike painted in a truly successful gray finish and the seat upholstered in tan alcantara. The rest of the aesthetic details that give life to the first evolution of this TF450E Supermoto, like a “golden fork, carbon fiber tank covers, carbon rims and contrasting black components” They complete an unmistakable appearance.
Notice for sailors: The British coach has explained that this is just the beginning of a larger project. The beginning of a new work platform with which to improve the concept. “Jody has made it clear that there are more superbikes on the way, with new variants already planned. If this is what Thornton Hundred can achieve with their first TF450-E, we can’t wait to see what the future holds.”conclude from Bike Bound.
