Posted in · Bike Features December 09, 2019

Lowbrow Spotlight: Kendall's 1964 Triumph TR6 Build For Mario Ruiz

Sometimes you come up on a bike when you aren’t even looking for one. Funny how that happen quite a bit to a lot of us. Kendall of Kendalls Paint and Fabrication out of Milwaukee , Wisconsin got word from a friend that a relative of the friend had a motorcycle at a storage property in Northern Illinois. Kendall made the short and quick drive over to check it out and was greeted by the property manager with“ There’s a Trump” under that tarp over there”. Kendall replied “ Oh do you mean a Triumph?”. The manger grumbled “ yeah, uh, something like that I guess”. Kendall was expecting a pile of rust with two wheels forming something that looked like a motorcycle. He was taken aback as to what his eyes saw once he pulled back the tarp though. A 1964 Triumph TR6 glimmered there in what looked to be running condition. He immediately told the manager to ask the owner of the property who owned the bike if he would sell it. A phone call and a deal for $300 was made. Kendall speedily drove off with the “Trump” and a huge grin a short while later.

Lowbrow Spotlight: Kendall's 1964 Triumph TR6 Build For Mario Ruiz - Lowbrow Customs-2

Once home with his score he got it running almost immediately after flushing out the gas tank and cleaning out the carb. Kendall’s intention was to give it a nice restoration job, all stock but make it like new again and keep it for himself as a daily-ish rider. Once he started tearing into it, his good friend Mario Ruiz from Chicago stopped by the shop for a visit and took a major liking to the bike.After some conversation between Kendall and Mario, it was agreed that Kendall would build a nice custom bobber out of it for Mario his child hood friend. We should all be so lucky to have a friend like Kendall.

Lowbrow Spotlight: Kendall's 1964 Triumph TR6 Build For Mario Ruiz - Lowbrow Customs-3

After a few phone calls, parts from Led Sled Customs, Lowbrow Customs and a few other companies started rolling in and the bike began to take shape. Mario gave free reign of the build to Kendall due to his keen eye for style and sense of what makes a bike look “right”. Mario did have some input on the bike though. Kendall had him do some sitting on the bike and took some measurements and fabricated a custom set of handlebars so the bike fit Mario like a well tailored suit. Kendall’s vision for the bike was for a simple, sleek and clean bobber that Mario would enjoy ripping around Chicago. One look and you can tell he succeeded and then some.

Words & Photo by Ed Subias
Lowbrow Spotlight: Kendall's 1964 Triumph TR6 Build For Mario Ruiz - Lowbrow Customs-4

General:
Owner: Mario Ruiz
Year/Make/Model: 1964 Triumph TR6
Fabrication: Kendall
Fabrication Build Time: 1 year

Engine:
Year/Type/Size: 1964 650cc
Carburetor: Amal
Exhaust: Custom by Kendall Fabrication
Air Cleaner: Custom Velocity Stack by Kendall Fabrication

Lowbrow Spotlight: Kendall's 1964 Triumph TR6 Build For Mario Ruiz - Lowbrow Customs-5

Frame:
Year/Type: 1964 Stock with a bolt on hardtail.
Rake/Stretch: 4” Stretch 2.5” drop

Front End:
Type / Brand: Stock Triumph - lowered 2. 5”

Wheels:
Front Size: 21” JR’s Cycle Hub, Avon Tyre
Rear Size: 18” Stock Hub, Coker Tire

Finish/Paint:
Paint by: Kendall Fabrication
Plating/Polishing: N/A
Powdercoating: N/A

Accessories:
Front Fender: N/A
Rear Fender: Led Sled Customs Rear Fender
Gas Tank: Harley-Davidson Sprint narrowed and tunneled by Kendall Fabrication
Handlebars: Custom by Kendall Fabrication
Grips: whatever was laying around shop
Mirrors: N/A
Hand Controls: Cook Custom
Foot Controls: Stock
Headlight: Generic 4”
Taillight: Ebay special
Turn Signals: N/A
License Mount: Kendall Fabrication
Seat: Sully's Custom Vertical Pleated Solo Seat

Other Custom or Special Details:
Joe Hunt Magneto Custom Oil tank, Sissy Bar and Passenger Pegs by Kendall Fabrication