1969 Triumph T-120 - The Neverending Story

Back in 2004, we ran a feature about a Triumph 650 chopper and we thought that was the complete story behind that particular bike. It turns out we were right and wrong at the same time. Although we had covered that build in its entirety, the owner purchased its motor from Nina Klippen, who had seen the bike in the magazine and got excited to tell us about her current Triumph chopper, which you see before you now.

This was not only her first custom, but her first bike as well. She absolutely loves the bike and is constantly making changes to it. For Nina, the custom journey did not end with the initial build, but is a constantly changing process that flows like a river.

Her story started several years ago when Nina was pulling passenger duty on her husband's bike but, as it often happens, she wanted to try her hand at the controls. Opportunity knocked at a show where she found an old Triumph 650 pseudo-basket-case sporting a "For Sale" sign. Although it was red and only kind of ran, that was enough for Nina. She had it delivered to her place that same night.

She knocked down her local rider safety course, but she and hubby packed up and moved to Key West, Florida, before she could truly enjoy her chopper. Nina got to get in enough saddle time to figure out what changes she wanted for it, but before she could transform it, the Klippens moved again.

Once they had settled into their new digs in Baltimore, Maryland, Nina hunted around for a builder to remake her baby. It was not easy finding a customizer who wants to work on an old Triumph, but after some searching, she hooked up with Frank Diehl of Classic Cycle Works. Not only was he willing to help her out, but he used to be a top service manager for Triumph back in the day and after the company folded up shop in the U.S., he had purchased a considerable portion of their nationwide parts inventory. He got to work on it in earnest, pulling the old mill, and selling it off to another builder out in California who used it in the bike we ran in 2004.

Frank not only did a great job transforming Nina's ride cosmetically, he also worked the 650 to a 750cc motor to give it the extra oomph she wanted. But he did not stop there; he threw velocity stacks and an Amal carb into the equation for more fuel and air, a Boyer ignition to fire it all, and higher compression pistons to make optimal use of the additional power.

After it was all done, Nina took the revamped chopper on its maiden voyage; the ride to Sturgis. Although she was ecstatic to be on the road, the bike had an extended springer front end at the time, which made for some challenging moments going through corners.

Once she got back to Baltimore, the bike went back to Frank for a different front suspension setup. That seems to be the pattern with Nina's chopper-ride it for awhile, make some changes, repeat. It is a neverending process that has allowed this bike to slowly evolve over time into the head-turner it is today.