Thundersprint 955 Street Tracker: Christian Forward’s Bold New Build

Thundersprint 955 Street Tracker: Christian Forward’s Bold New Build

It’s not every day that we get to dive into the work of a builder like Christian Forward. Known for his ability to transform outdated, forgotten motorcycles into jaw-dropping machines, Forward’s latest project—the Thundersprint 955 Street Tracker—is a testament to his skill, creativity, and love for the flat tracker aesthetic.

Some of you may remember Forward’s earlier build, the Forwardstein, which we featured on BikeBrewers back on October 31st 2018 (read the article here). That bike showcased Christian’s knack for combining performance and personality. This time, he’s back with a story just as compelling and a bike just as unique.

The Beginning of Thundersprint

Christian Forward built the Thundersprint 955 Street Tracker for very personal reasons. He admits that age and comfort played a role:

“I’m getting on a bit now, and head down, arse up is not the most comfortable position to be in on a bike,” he explains. After selling his café racer during the COVID-19 pandemic to make ends meet, Christian found himself longing for a new project that could replace it.

His canvas? A neglected 1994 Triumph Trident Sprint 900 chassis that had been gathering dust since 2010. As a former employee at a Yamaha and Suzuki dealership, Christian came across the bike after its engine failed catastrophically. The owner swapped it for a new FJR1300, and the Sprint sat forgotten. When Christian left the dealership years later, his boss gifted him the Sprint, saying, “You can probably do something with it.”

Christian accepted the challenge, but the final product is far from your typical Triumph Sprint restoration.

Vision and Inspiration

Christian’s goal for the build was clear from the outset: he wanted to channel the spirit of Evel Knievel’s legendary Harley-Davidson XR750 while keeping it distinctly his own.

“As a kid growing up, Evel Knievel was the motorcycle daredevil. I’ve always loved the look of his XR750. One day, if I win the lottery, I’ll buy one.”

Beyond Knievel’s iconic flat tracker, Christian found further inspiration in the work of Orazio Marco Scamporrino, who crafted a stunning Trident with a Ducati Multistrada swingarm. That detail reshaped Christian’s original plan, leading him to incorporate the same swingarm into his design.

Building the Beast

This project was no quick weekend makeover. The Thundersprint is a Frankenstein of parts, creativity, and countless hours of craftsmanship. As Christian puts it:

“I have no idea how much money I’ve spent on it. If I’d had to pay for the amount of hours of work that’s gone into it, I’d need a second mortgage to cover the bill!”

The Modifications
Here’s a breakdown of the major changes:

• Chassis & Suspension:
  The original Sprint chassis now features a custom rear subframe with an integrated rear brake reservoir. The Ducati Multistrada swingarm, rear wheel, and disc setup create a muscular, modern stance. Up front, Yamaha R1 forks and a wheel add high-performance handling.
• Engine:
  The heart of the bike is a rebuilt Triumph Thunderbird 900 engine upgraded with 955 liners, pistons, and cams. The cylinder head is ported and skimmed, while the six-speed gearbox and modified balance shaft enhance performance. Twin FCR39 carburetors with individual filters and a one-off stainless steel exhaust system provide the final touches, delivering an impressive 110 horsepower at the rear wheel.
• Custom Parts:
  Nearly every visible component is bespoke, from the aluminum fuel tank bonded to the carbon fiber seat unit to the Union Jack heel plates. Other highlights include a custom aluminum seat base (upholstered by Lucky Foot Trimmings), a carbon fiber alternator cover, and a minimalist wiring loom with a B-Box digital control unit.
• Paint & Powder Coat:
  The finishing touches were done by local artisans: the frame and wheels were powder coated by Le Carousel, and the striking paintwork was handled by Triple C Paintwork.

Riding the Thundersprint

While Christian’s engineering triumph is evident in the spec sheet, the true test of any build is how it feels on the road. For Christian, the Thundersprint delivers pure riding joy:

“The sound, the lack of electronics, and the sheer rawness of the ride make it proper old-school motorcycling.”

No ABS, no traction control, no fuel injection—just a powerful engine, sharp handling, and a lightweight chassis (189kg wet weight). It’s as close to a flat track race bike as most of us will ever get.

Challenges and Collaborations

Christian admits that every build presents challenges. Whether it was adapting the Multistrada swingarm or fitting the custom exhaust system, each obstacle brought a sense of achievement once overcome.

While most of the work was done in-house under the Forwardstein Design banner, Christian credits several collaborators:

• Galtech Engineering: For crankcase boring and cylinder head skimming.
• Le Carousel: Powder coating.
• Triple C Paintwork: For the bike’s stunning paint job.
• Lucky Foot Trimmings: Upholstered the custom seat.
• Dynotech: Tuned the fueling to perfection.

Final Thoughts

The Thundersprint 955 Street Tracker is more than a motorcycle; it’s a testament to Christian Forward’s dedication and passion for the craft. For him, this build wasn’t just about creating a functional bike—it was about rekindling his love for motorcycles after a challenging time.

This machine isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about the ride. With its mix of modern performance and retro charm, the Thundersprint reminds us of what motorcycles are meant to be: thrilling, raw, and utterly personal.

We can’t wait to see what Christian Forward dreams up next. In the meantime, this bike is sure to turn heads wherever it goes—and probably leave a few riders green with envy.

What do you think of the Thundersprint 955? Let us know in the comments below!