Rider Profile Jen Dalton

British Customs: When did you start riding?

Jen Dalton: When I was about 13 but took a long break and now heavy back in the last 4 years

What was your first bike?

A Triumph Bonneville

What is your background/interest in motorcycle customization? Family hobby, self­taught, trained pro, etc?

I grew up in a small town in mid Ohio where my dad and his friends would spend all their free time building, wrenching, riding and working on old bikes. It was the only thing I remember doing with my dad. He would take me on rides on his 1967 triumph TR6R around town. I remember staring at the teal sparkle paint and obsessing.  I got my love for Triumph’s specifically from him and an obsession with old movies like "The Wild Ones". I remember watching all the "men" hanging together, wrenching, going to mid ohio for vintage bike trade shows and always wondered why I never saw any women doing it. There were a lot of dirt tracks where I was, so I quickly jumped in with the boys and would race around with everyone trying to keep up at a young age. 

After graduating, I moved to Texas for college and would always say "one day i’m going to ride" and after being in an abusive relationship, I had a chance to really sit down and decide what I wanted to do with my life. I canceled my wedding 2 weeks before, cashed in everything and went straight to the dealership. When I called my parents to break the news to them about my new 2 wheeled life, my mom responded "well it’s about damn time". She said she always knew that I would spend my life on 2 wheels. I quickly saw my childhood influences coming through my wants and customization of my bike. First, I went straight to a Triumph, then that wasn't enough. I wanted the vintage look, I wanted my bike to stand out, and most importantly I wanted it to be mine. I quickly started rotating bikes and had 3 different bikes within the first year, trying to change here and there, staying up all night reading forums and how to books and teaching myself anything and everything I could about Triumph's. I love to learn and wrench and am a DIY kinda gal. I am by no means a builder or expert, but I will say I have a strong love and passion and that shows in my beloved "Clyde", for she got all my heart and soul put into her.

What is your inspiration when wrenching on or designing your bike?

Marlon Brando in "The Wild One" & the iconic James Dean. I idolized the era and it best represented me

What things outside of motorcycling inspire you?

My Mother, she's one of the most independent badasses I've ever known and she inspires me to push harder and to be myself in every aspect of life  

What are your goals in the coming year?

I’ve done a lot of cross country trips, but this year I am planning on riding out to "The dream roll" to explore the Pacific Northwest and continue on into Canada to explore a bit of the unknown on 2 wheels.