New builders tend to slide discreetly into the scene rather than explode. But occasionally someone arrives with a bang?and so it is with Laurent Amann of Storik, who built this extraordinary vintage Triumph called ?Rafale.?
Rafale means ?gust of wind? in French, and this Meriden-era triple is all about lightness and speed. It?s also a showcase for Amann?s amazing coachworking skills, with raw metal bodywork and an impeccable stance.

Although he now practises out of a workshop in the south of England, Amann was trained in France. He has a background in automotive engineering and design, and is enthused by all things handmade. He started the company four years ago, and focuses on fabricating and restoring classic cars and bikes.
Amann has a soft spot for the classic Triumph triples from the late 1960s and 1970s. ?Originally, the bike was a standard Triumph Trident,? he tells us, ?but we swapped the chassis for a stronger T140 Bonneville frame, with the oil running through the central spine.? Since an external oil tank was no longer required, the oil-in-frame setup allowed more design freedom.
The Triumph T140 frame has a good reputation, but its Achilles Heel has always been the swingarm?which was under-engineered for the twin engine, let alone for the big 750cc triple. So Amann has designed and fabricated a new swingarm using T45 high-strength, aircraft grade steel tube, shaped for a strong and elegant oval profile that complements the classic look of the Triumph.

...