Italian company Free Spirits has made a name for itself primarily for its work within the Harley-Davidson world, most notably because of some accessories, special bits and customizations of the sporty XR1200.
Free Spirits is also the Italian distributor for Dutch brand Motorcycle Storehouse, and on the top of all that they also manufacture some other special part.
At the recent 2013 Motor Bike Expo in Verona they showed up with their usual lot of H-D-based creations, but making a surprise appearance there were also a few Triumph-derived special bikes, including the one we are about to introduce right now.
The pictured model in fact is Free Spirits’ own racing interpretation of the usually quiet Bonneville, re-dubbed T12.
2 Evo, which showcases many accessories for the Triumph range picked from the catalogue of its creator.
Arguably, the most remarkable feature is the belt final drive conversion kit, which required the replacement of the swingarm with a new one that is linked to a pair of adjustable Bitubo shock absorbers.
And yet, given the amount of radical changes – all of which are reversible – that’s probably not the first thing that catches the eye.
From the aesthetic point of view, the fiberglass fairings at both ends – blatantly inspired by the racers of the 60s – drastically change the looks of the Bonnie, but its proud British heritage is preserved by the patriotic Union Jack-inspired paint scheme, with some black instead of the blue.
Please note that Lion on the sides of the tank is based on that of Piazza San Marco in Venice, a tribute to the home town of the Free Spirits guys.
Quite obviously, the chassis has undergone some significant modification.
Aforementioned rear suspension aside, the Bonneville T12.
2 Evo uses a fork lifted from a 2007 Speed Triple with Free Spirits plates, 17-inch wheels fitted with Sporttec Metzeler M3 120/70 and 160/60 tires (instead of the 110/70 and 130/80 of the standard range).
The Newfren braking system at the front uses two 320 mm discs gripped by Brembo calipers, while footpegs, handlebars and engine guards in ergal are once again provide by Free Spirits itself.
Last but not least, they gave the engine a twist to boost its output up to 68 hp at 7700 rpm and 68 Nm at 5,800 rpm.
To give a it few more horsies they just applied a remapped TFI ECU and a new intake system with a K&N cone filter.
The exhaust system is handmade, with high end cans that fit perfectly in the lines of the tail.
Too much hype? Well, all these bits can also be purchased individually, if you prefer.
If you happen to be in Austria next summer, the T12.
2 Evo will be exposed again at the Tridays Festival (June 21-23), in Neukirchen, where last year free Spirits exhibited the T12 (in the last three photos).