Blacktrack BT-02

The Blacktrack BT-02, known as the Thruxman, is the second creation from Blacktrack Motors founder Sacha Lakic: a custom motorcycle that fuses the racing soul of the Norton Manx with the modern performance of a 2016 Triumph Thruxton R, rebuilt entirely by hand with aerospace-grade aluminium components and full-grain leather detailing.

The Concept

Sacha Lakic named the BT-02 the Thruxman as a direct reference to its two sources of inspiration: Thruxton, the donor platform, and the Norton Manx, the iconic 1950s British racing single whose visual language defines the cafe racer aesthetic more than almost any other machine in history. Lakic did not want to simply modify a Triumph. He wanted to create a motorcycle that could have come from that era but performs to the standard of today. Every panel, every fitting, every detail on the Thruxman was either redesigned or fabricated from scratch by the best artisans Blacktrack could find.

The Build

The fuel tank is hand-shaped from aluminium by Blacktrack's own fabricators, following the long, tapered profile of a classic British racer. Side covers match in material and finish. The seat is hand-built over dual-density foam and upholstered in full-grain leather with a signature piping cord. Upper and lower yokes are CNC-cut from 7050 aluminium, the same alloy grade used in aerospace structural components. The handlebars are clip-ons, the footpegs and controls are rearset, and the Acewell digital speedometer carries a custom Blacktrack graphic face. The exhaust headers are custom-designed in-house, terminating in Spark or SuperTrapp silencers.

Suspension front and rear is upgraded from the donor: Showa 43mm upside-down big-piston forks with 120mm of fully adjustable travel up front, and a custom rear unit shortened by 50mm to achieve the correct rake and stance. Wire-spoked 17-inch rims, 32 spokes front and rear, carry Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa tyres. Braking is handled by Brembo twin 310mm floating front discs with 4-piston radial monobloc calipers and ABS, and a Nissin 2-piston floating caliper on the rear with ABS.

Performance

The 1200cc Triumph Thruxton engine is a liquid-cooled 8-valve SOHC parallel twin producing 97 PS at 6,750 rpm and 112 Nm of torque at 4,950 rpm. Fuel delivery is handled by multipoint sequential electronic injection. The 6-speed wet multi-plate assist clutch transmits power via an X-ring chain. The combination of modern engine performance and the shortened, stiffened rear suspension produces a riding character that is direct, immediate, and closer to the track than the standard Thruxton R ever attempted.

Specifications

• Builder: Blacktrack Motors (founder: Sacha Lakic)
• Donor: Triumph Thruxton 2016
• Engine: 1200cc liquid-cooled 8-valve SOHC parallel twin
• Bore and Stroke: 97.6 x 80 mm
• Power: 97 PS / 96 bhp (72 kW) at 6,750 rpm
• Torque: 112 Nm at 4,950 rpm
• Transmission: 6-speed, wet multi-plate assist clutch, X-ring chain
• Fuel: Multipoint sequential electronic injection
• Chassis: Custom upper and lower yokes in 7050 aluminium
• Wheelbase: 1,415 mm
• Overall Length: 2,106 mm
• Suspension (Front): Showa 43mm USD big-piston forks, 120mm travel, fully adjustable
• Suspension (Rear): Custom, 50mm shorter than stock
• Brakes (Front): Brembo twin 310mm floating discs, 4-piston radial monobloc, ABS
• Brakes (Rear): 220mm disc, Nissin 2-piston floating caliper, ABS
• Rims: 32-spoke wire, front 17x3.5in, rear 17x5in
• Tyres: Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa (front 120/70ZR17, rear 160/60ZR17)
• Exhaust: Custom headers with Spark or SuperTrapp silencers

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