Beautification Through Modification Is Exemplified In This Kosman Special
Connoisseur’s TRIUMPH
DAN HUNT
ONE OF IMPORTER Sanford Kosman’s goals is the beautification of roadways by filling them with better motorcycles. His is not the usual technique, customization, for he believes in function as much as form. Therefore, no choppers for him; rather, road racers.
Enter the Kosman Triumph Special, which he sells complete with his own modifications, plus any other bits and pieces the rider may specify.
A machine based on the 650-cc Bonneville engine and frame was made available to this writer to sample for this article. Utilizing English, Italian and American accessories, it is as close to a road racer as any street enthusiast could wish, yet it could be ridden under the nose of the law without any danger of the rider being hauled into court.
Standout eye-catcher on the Kosman Special is the deceiving fuel tank, which looks as though it holds 7 gal., but in fact takes 3.5.
This and the seat-fender-taillight unit, both of them blue fiberglass, come from English customizer and dealer Bill Chuck. The rear-set footpegs and foot control levers also come from Chuck. Contributing to the road racer appearance are the Dunstall pipes and silencers, which provide more ground clearance than the standard counterparts when the bike is cranked over in a bend. Rather than clip-ons, which could be uncomfortable in town riding, Kosman fitted a slightly higher drag bar. One of Kosman’s own aluminum oil tanks nestles under the seat.
The front stopper is virtually unmistakable. It is the 210-mm double-drum, four-leading-shoe Fontana racing brake used on Triumph Daytona racers. Any comment about its performance would be superfluous, but it is worth mentioning that this system is perfectly smooth and manageable for street operation. The rear brake remains standard.
Kosman also bolstered the standard Bonneville suspension, adding Ceriani road racing spring-shock absorber units at the rear, and switching to a Triumph TT Special front fork with internal two-way dampers.
Rims are Italian Borrani WM2s, front and rear. The front wheel size remains at 19 in.; the new rim changes rear wheel size from 18 to 19 in. This is done so that it may accept an Avon GP racing tire.
Kosman has given the engine more pep, while retaining moderate tractability. A cam from Precision Machining, valve train lightening and S & W valve springs are the main modifications. In addition, an e.t. ignition eliminates the battery. Additional ignition refinements which provide increased accuracy and reliability are installation of a Jomo point plate with external condensers and a Honda “Red Wire” (YB92) coil.
Beautification Through Modification Is Exemplified in This Kosman Special
The bike is great fun to ride, with searing acceleration. The relatively simple handling modifications firm up an already good roadster so that there is not a trace of front end dive or rear end squishiness. For a moment, as the machine was paced along a lonely mountain road, it was not difficult to imagine sockin’ it to ’em in the Production TT.
That Isle of Man mist disappeared somewhat when Sanford mentioned the price$2095, as is. Yet a good chopper can cost that, and anyone who buys a new “Bonny” and makes the same modifications as Sanford will spend even more money. A new Bonneville sells for close to $1500.
Anyone willing to do without the Pontana front brake and to settle for Triumph’s new double-leading-shoe brake will save $150 on the Kosman machine. However, the special without the Fontana would be like a Rolls without the distinctive squared off radiator shell. And what’s $150 when contemplating a $2000 expenditure? Right? Right! ■
