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There are probably more than a few readers out there in magazineland who are right now musing to them-selves, "For sure, I've seen that bike somewhere before.
Indeed they have.

This motorcycle, Turnabout II, has appeared on these pages twice before, as a matter of fact, which must be some kind of record. The first time was back in September, 1978, when we featured the machine, complete with centerspread. The second time was in March 1979, in our 10th anniversary issue, showing the 10 best customs of the previous year.

The motorcycle, built by Richfield, Minnesota's Tom Summers, is so innovative and well executed that we decided to provide readers with yet another look at the bike, following an extensive refurbishment this year.

Summers originally bought this motorcycle as a stock, 1971 Bonneville basket case for $500. And of that basic machine, only the engine still exists, for Summers discarded just about all the other bits and pieces of that original vehicle.

So, here we are, with a total of almost three years gone by, as well as some $2000. And Summers is still painting and repainting, finishing and refinish-ing in his pursuit to perfect Turnabout II. What'll it look like this time next year? At this point, nobody knows; least of all Summers.

Let's go over some of the bike's features:
Paul Short is a close friend of Summers. Moreover, Short is something of a mechanical marvel, for it was he who performed the complex job of turning the Triumph's cylinder head around 180 degrees. Otherwise, the engine is pretty stock(!).

( Insert - Owner Summers proudly stands by Turnabout II, which has won numerous First Place trophies on the show circuit, plus Best of Show at th~/Jenver. Colorado exhibition)

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(Insert -Above & Left-Premier tank-maker Lundberg crafted this trim but dramatic unit. Note use of braided steel fuel, oil lines.) 

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Extensive chroming has been done to engine and chassis components, such as the rear brake hub, engine side covers and the twin Amal concentric carburetors.

As we indicated before, engine modi-fications are not extensive. The ignition of Turnabout II uses stock Triumph parts in conjunction with a Drag Spe-cialties battery eliminator, which does wonders by way of simplifying circuitry.

The clutch is a Barnett unit, which will withstand greater engine torque. The oil tank is from R&R and those swoopy, one-off pipes were tailored for Turn-about II by Ross Wheel Service. The exhaust pipes terminate in an im-pressively sized Drag Specialties col-lector. Braided steel oil and fuel lines are also used.

The frame is an R&R Savior unit having a sprung rear axle, six inches of additional stretch and 45 degrees of rake in the steering head. We are told that the additional steering rake was done to accommodate the six-inch-overstock Smith Bros. & Fetrow springer front end. Mark Swanberg is responsible for the frame's front section work.

That's an Invader front wheel measuring 19 inches diameter. It is fitted with a 2.75-19 tire. As the photos reveal, no handlebar risers are used. The bars themselves are of the Drag Specialties tiller type. The rear view mirror is also from Drag Specialties.

At the rear we see a 15-inch Invader wheel that uses early Triumph brake parts. That nifty stubby rear fender is a five-inch-wide, flat model that shrouds the 165-15 rear tire. The saddle of Turn about II is a gen-yo-O-Wine leather model made by Randy's Upholstery in Minneapolis, Minnesota. That very stylish fuel tank is an item especially crafted by Lundberg.

Owner Summers is responsible for both the frame molding and the ap-plication of the bike's new polyurethane paint job. The intricate pinstriping, however, was done by local artist D.J. Eckel.

As further testimony to the fact that custom bike building is a never-ending process, Summers indicate~ that all the motorcycle's chrome and gold plating has been redone since last year to flaw-less quality by Custom Metal Finishing in Maple Grove, Minnesota.

Summers is justifiably proud of this mount. And welt he should be, for it displays both innovation and passionate detailing; qualities that are becoming uncomfortably rare in these days of off-the-shelf, retail~packaged customizing.

(Above-Since we last saw Turnabout on the
pages of CUSTOM BIKE the machine has been
given a radically different paint scheme and other details.)

(Above Right & Right-While owner Tom Summers carefully applied new green base paint, elaborate leafing and striping was done by D.J. Eckel.)

(Below~Summers modestly refers to his molding of frame as only "clean-up' in nature. However, great patience and planning is evidenced here.)