# Bienville Legacy: A Hand-Built Study in Girder Suspension

- Link: https://custommotorcycles.info/bienville-legacy/
- Published: 2015-07-16T10:00:03-04:00
- Author: Manny Costa

[View Bienville Legacy: A Hand-Built Study in Girder Suspension Photo Gallery](https://custommotorcycles.info/bienville-legacy/#photogallery)

The Bienville Legacy makes its argument through structure rather than decoration.
Its long, low profile is built around matching front and rear girder assemblies,
a compact central frame, broad polished fenders and a deeply shaped leather saddle.
The result is an unusual custom motorcycle whose suspension hardware is as prominent
as its engine and bodywork.

## Girders at both ends

The Legacy’s defining feature is the pair of visually related girder systems. They
share a design language, but the front and rear units perform different jobs. That
symmetry gives the motorcycle a deliberate, almost engineered appearance, while 
the exposed linkages make the chassis easy to read at a glance.

According to the original report, damping uses components sourced from downhill 
mountain bikes. The approach suits the Legacy’s compact, mechanical layout: instead
of hiding conventional suspension behind bulky covers, the design leaves much of
the adjustment hardware accessible. The source also describes chassis changes as
possible with a single Allen key, although the exact adjustment range is not specified.

## Old-world surfaces, modern hardware

Viewed from the side, the motorcycle balances polished metal against dark panels
and black wheels. The curved exhaust headers and bright engine covers provide most
of the visual sparkle, while the bronze-toned frame tubes and red upper brace add
restrained color. Chrome fenders extend the bike’s period influence without disguising
the contemporary components underneath.

The leatherwork is equally specific. The saddle has a pronounced rise at the rear
and visible stitched edging, with matching leather panels around the rider’s leg
area. Bienville reportedly intended each seat to be fitted to its owner, making 
the upholstery part of the motorcycle’s engineering brief rather than a generic 
finishing touch.

## Details that keep the cockpit clean

The headlight housing doubles as the instrument cluster, concentrating the front-
end hardware into one polished assembly. That choice keeps the handlebar area relatively
uncluttered and reinforces the Legacy’s central design idea: every visible component
should have more than one visual or functional role.

ISR brakes and BST custom carbon-fiber wheels are listed among the specified equipment.
In the supplied views, the large drilled brake rotors, compact calipers and dark
multi-spoke wheels sit in sharp contrast to the bright fenders. The combination 
gives the bike a more purposeful technical edge than its vintage-inspired leather
and chrome might initially suggest.

## A limited project, not a production claim

The original coverage reported that Bienville intended to build three Legacy motorcycles,
each made to its owner’s specifications. It also described plans to take the machines
to Bonneville and mentioned a supercharged 300-horsepower version as a project in
development. Those statements describe the programme as reported at the time, not
confirmed current production or verified performance.

For the original report, see [Asphalt & Rubber](http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/).

## Photo Gallery

[⌊Bienville Legacy  1⌉⌊Bienville Legacy  1⌉[
 [⌊Bienville Legacy  6⌉](https://custommotorcycles.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Bienville-Legacy-6.jpg) [⌊Bienville Legacy  5⌉](https://custommotorcycles.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Bienville-Legacy-5.jpg) [⌊Bienville Legacy  4⌉](https://custommotorcycles.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Bienville-Legacy-4.jpg) [⌊Bienville Legacy  3⌉](https://custommotorcycles.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Bienville-Legacy-3.jpg) [⌊Bienville Legacy  7⌉](https://custommotorcycles.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Bienville-Legacy-7.jpg) [⌊Bienville Legacy  8⌉](https://custommotorcycles.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Bienville-Legacy-8.jpg)