Headlines
Brazil Custom Wins Triumph Originals 2025
Triumph Motorcycles has announced the Brazil team as the winners of the 2025 Triumph Originals, a global Modern Classic custom competition based on the current Triumph Bonneville range.
Headlines
Triumph Motorcycles has announced the Brazil team as the winners of the 2025 Triumph Originals, a global Modern Classic custom competition based on the current Triumph Bonneville range.
In a very tight contest, decided by the public vote and expert judging panel, Brazil won with Gaijin, a dark and moody café racer based on a Speed Twin 1200, created by the impressive team at Shibuya in São Paulo. Hand crafted features include the subtle, sophisticated scallop design painted on the bodywork, the crease shaped into the tank and the reworked tail, designed to convey a feeling of speed and movement even when static.
Describing the winning build, the judges commented: “This was the most original and coherent of the builds. It has a presence that is muscular and athletic combined with a high level of craftsmanship and attention to detail. A custom build should be instantly desirable but also be something you want to be seen riding. This bike is both.”
Brazil also scooped a Mark of Excellence for Craftsmanship by judge Kengo Kimura, Founder of Heiwa Motorcycle in Japan, who said: “The details are beautifully crafted and the overall design is well-organized. It’s a motorcycle packed with design and ideas.”
The UK team were awarded a Mark of Excellence for British Originality by judge Ricardo Pessoa, Founder and Creative Director of Coolnvintage in Portugal who commented: “It comes closest in form, feel, and intent to the original 1960s British café racer spirit, stripped-down, purposeful, and rebellious.”
The UK’s entry has been built by Stockwell Design at Triumph London, inspired by the 60’s British rock ‘n’ roll movement. Using the T100 platform, The Bonneville Sunraiser catches the eye with its polished aluminum, stainless steel and bright colour scheme, finished with a bespoke cursive Triumph logo.
The Italian team were awarded a Mark of Excellence for Style, by Quique Berna, Co-founder and Creative Director at Tamarit Motorcycles in Spain, who added: “The winning bike represents the perfect balance of essence, design, and character — a true reflection of who we are at Tamarit. Congratulations.”
The Italian build was created by Giuseppe Carucci, founder of South Garage Motor Co in Milan, inspired by the timeless elegance, discreet luxury and evocative charm of the original 1930s and 1940s Speed Twins. Building on the muscular essence of the Bonneville Bobber, Carucci redesigned the chassis and used precision engineering techniques to build head-turning custom parts including bespoke front forks.
Eight teams competed from around the world in the global Modern Classic competition, entering custom builds based on the current Triumph Bonneville range. Each country collaborated with locally selected custom builders to create sophisticated and complex handcrafted designs. Judges whittled down the entries to just five beautiful builds from Brazil, France, Italy, Thailand and the UK, and then the public chose the final overall winner.
The judges were: Quique Berna, Co-founder and Creative Director at Tamarit Motorcycles in Spain; Ricardo Pessoa, Founder and Creative Director of Coolnvintage in Portugal; Kengo Kimura, Founder of Heiwa Motorcycle in Japan; and Steve Sargent, Chief Product Officer for Triumph Motorcycles.
Quique Berna from Tamarit Motorcycles judged Iconic Style. Tamarit Motorcycles is one of the most internationally recognised brands in the world of custom motorcycles. Since its beginnings in 2011, Quique Berna has been a key figure in Tamarit’s growth, attracting clients in over 25 countries with a clear mission: to create unique motorcycles for unique people. Passionate about classic aesthetics, Quique leads the design team and personally oversees every detail of the builds, working exclusively with Triumph Motorcycles.
His approach combines creativity and a deep admiration for the history of British motorcycling, which is reflected in unique and exclusive bikes that respect the essence of the Triumph brand while carrying the unmistakable Tamarit signature. Quique stands out not only for his talent as a designer but also for his business vision and his ability to offer tailored proposals that turn each motorcycle into a truly exclusive and emotional project. Quique Berna is the mastermind behind some of Tamarit’s most iconic motorcycles, such as the Black Dragon, the Gullwing and the Gullwing X. Quique judged the aesthetics of the bike, and how it looked as an overall finished piece of design.
Ricardo Pessoa, the founder of Coolnvintage, judged British Originality. The Lisbon-based atelier is renowned for transforming classic Land Rovers into functional art pieces defined by craftsmanship and timeless design. Driven by a life-long passion for the Land Rover, Ricardo was first inspired by the simple, honest, utilitarian, timeless appeal of the Series III. An entrepreneur and awarded photographer, Ricardo is celebrated for his distinctive approach to vintage car restoration and visual storytelling. Beyond the atelier, Ricardo’s work spans fashion campaigns, travel photography, and editorial projects. He is the co-author of the 365, 10 Years, and Portugal books, and served as creative director for the Hot Wheels x Mattel collaboration, further cementing his influence in both the automotive and design worlds.
Ricardo’s lifelong dedication to restoring, enhancing and celebrating the iconic, classic, British Land Rover, made him the ideal judge for British Originality. He decided how each build reflected the theme ‘Icon of British Originality’ in a modern way, assessing each team’s interpretation of the design brief.
Kengo Kimura, who opened Heiwa Motorcycle in April 2005, judged the builds for their Craftsmanship. A multi-award winner, Kimura-san was honoured with Best In Show at the Hot Rod Custom Show in 2016 and 2017 and scooped Best Motorcycle in Europe for his Triumph Three Arrows in 2021. He has been highly regarded around the world for the craftsmanship of his custom builds, which have included Bonneville inspired Trapee, Parrot Star, Chillmussel and Sevenstar7.
Highly sought by the global media for interviews and to attend events Kimura-san recently appeared as a model in the catalogue of Rimowa, a world-famous suitcase manufacturer, as one of Japan’s leading artists. And with the competitive spirit and good sensibility he developed as a super-sportsman during his student days, he is single-mindedly devoted to building motorcycles. Kengu Kimura chose a build that met Triumph’s reputation for exceptional build quality and craftsmanship, assessing the build quality and ‘fit and finish’.
Steve Sargent, Triumph’s Chief Product Officer, judges Creativity and Innovation. With overall responsibility for the design, styling and development of Triumph’s motorcycle range, Steve Sargent has a deep understanding of how creativity and innovation can enhance the feel and desirability of a motorcycle. His passion for every style of motorcycle, enjoyment of every style of riding, and his conviction that every motorcycle deserves to be the best it can be, has helped shape and grow the range over the last three decades.
His career with Triumph Motorcycles has taken him to Asia, where he led the build of the first Triumph factory in Thailand, and India, where he pioneered Triumph’s entry into the 400cc segment in partnership with Bajaj. Travelling around the world to create Triumph Racing, Steve has been instrumental in the Moto2 partnership and Triumph’s entry into the motocross and enduro markets for the first time, all driven by an absolute dedication to innovation and pushing the boundaries of engineering and design. Steve Sargent assessed the technical creativity of the build and judged how each team struck the balance between art and engineering.
TEYDI DEGUCHI, SHIBUYA GARAGE
TEYDI DEGUCHI, SHIBUYA GARAGE“All I need is my paper, pen, heart – and bossa nova.”
São Paulo is home to a diverse culture, vibrant heritage, and the impressive Shibuya Garage. Its name references the Tokyo neighborhood in Japan, which is scattered with underground bars, alternative clubs, and some of the most influential garages in the world. The team at Shibuya Garage brings this essence to Brazil, where they break rules, build new designs, and defy expectations.
The family legacy runs deep, having been involved in engines for generations. And when it comes to customising motorcycles, they’ve been getting their hands dirty with blood, sweat, and grease for over a quarter of a century. They’re often found working to the cool, jazzy rhythms of bossa nova – a name which, perhaps not so coincidentally, translates to ‘new style’.
For them, the workshop is where their two passions, engines and art, blend in a space where talent, dedication, creativity and innovation are expected. Their style is truly unconventional, making the iconic lifestyle of Triumph Bonnevilles irresistible to the team, and it’s what they’ve brought to the customs brief.
Which bike did you choose to customize and why?
Speed Twin – I chose this motorcycle because it has a Modern Classic character.
Style
In your opinion, what makes a custom motorcycle iconic and how does your design achieve that?
What makes a bike iconic is the fusion of the brand’s DNA with the soul of the customizer.
Which styling details in your build make you most proud, and how do you think they elevate the look of the bike?
Parts of my personal story and elements I draw from architecture and Brazil’s natural landscape.
British Originality
The main element is the lifestyle, tradition, and attitude of the Ace Café.
How did you translate that inspiration into your custom bike design?
By bringing back memories of seeing my first Triumph Café Racers — they were always dark and bold.
What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge was managing my own anxiety about representing my country. I overcame this by blending that pressure with my artistic identity and staying true to my creative DNA.
Creativity and Innovation
Which aspects of the design and build best represent your creativity and innovation?
The main aspect is that even when the bike is stationary, it gives the sensation of movement.
What makes this build a truly unique custom creation?
90% of the build was handmade, which deeply reflects my soul and authenticity.
Was there any part of the design or construction you had to change, adapt, or rethink during the process?
Even though I respected the original features of the bike, during the build I decided to modify the frame.
Craftsmanship
Where can we see your personal craftsmanship style in the build?
A signature of my work is the crease I shape into the tank and the reworked tail section, which gives a feeling of speed even when the bike is still.
How did you choose the materials, finish, and details of your bike?
It’s a creative process that comes naturally to my mind — reflecting my life story and the moment I’m currently living.
Did you test any new techniques during the build process?
Yes, I’m experimenting with natural paints and organic pigmentation.
The Ride
What did you do in the build to improve the ride?
As I built this bike with myself in mind as the rider, I focused a lot on riding behaviour and body position. I shortened the front forks and lowered the rear, creating a feeling of speed even at low speeds.
Which element of the Bonneville platform did you choose to keep unchanged, faithful to the original?
The engine, the tank itself, forks, and suspension.
How do you want the rider to feel when riding your custom build?
I want them to feel free — like a movie character. For rider and machine to become one — engine and human.
Does your custom bike have a name?
Gaijin
About Us
How did you get into Customs?
My family has been involved with engines for generations, and since I come from an art background, I have always used motorcycles and cars as my canvas, combining both passions. I’ve been customising motorcycles for 26 years now. The first bike I ever customised was a Honda 80cc that my father gave me. The first Triumph was in 2006, it was a really cool project on a Daytona 955i.
What do you think makes the Bonneville platforms a great platform for custom builds?
These are motorcycles that are already designed for classic-modern creations. You can either customise them yourself or take them much further with custom shops. But I’m biased, since I have a Bonneville at home.
How would you describe your approach to custom bike building?
It gives us custom builders the perfect start! The chassis and motor are sound – there isn’t much we need to change there. A lot of the time we want to keep that iconic silhouette anyway!
How would you describe your approach to custom bike building?
I have a personal ritual with each project, where I imagine the motorcycle as an expression of myself, as a machine. I’m seen as crazy here in Brazil for talking to the bikes, but that’s my ritual. All I need is my paper, pen, heart – and bossa nova.
What influences and inspirations shape your design and craftsmanship?
I draw a lot from the references of my childhood. When I was a child, my father gave me the freedom to make my own choices, and I nourished myself with art, design, and cinema. If I could build a custom bike for anyone, it would be for my father.
What aspect of British culture has influenced your response to the brief?
For me, the form and art of the British theatre has always fascinated me and still does to this day.
What are the key ideas behind your custom Bonneville build for this competition?
My initial reaction to the ‘Icons of British Originality’ brief brought up ideas of elegance, refinement, and tradition. I wanted to bring a sense of gratitude to the project, as I’ve been customising Bonnevilles for two decades now.
What’s the most challenging or rewarding part of customising a Bonneville?
For me, it’s challenging the norm and going beyond the rules and expectations. Coming from a mixed-race background, I faced some prejudice for not fitting the traditional norms of the custom scene. Today, I’m a reference for not following rules and for being free in my work.
Is there a golden rule you always follow when building a custom, and is there one rule you love to break?
Here in Brazil, I’m the creator of an unconventional style. So for this one, I’m going to challenge myself and gift everyone with a work focused on the emotions I’ve carried along this journey
BONNEVILLE RANGE
As powerful and famous as the Triumph brand itself, the Bonneville range combines Triumph’s timeless original design DNA and style with the latest in riding technology, accessible precise handling and the new generation of the original British twin engine, tuned for thrilling torque and sound.
Regarded by many as the definitive British classic, the original ‘59 Bonneville was devised by legendary Triumph designer Edward Turner and featured incredible performance and perfect proportions. Named after Triumph’s 214mph land speed record on the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1956, it inspired a whole new generation of teenage cafe racers and built a legendary reputation backed up with action. It took John Hartle to victory at the Isle of Man TT and broke records in 1969 when Malcolm Uphill pushed his Bonnie over the 100mph average lap time.
Bonneville T100
Taking direct inspiration to this original, the Bonneville T100 is a stylish, easy handling modern classic, powered by a torquey 900cc engine, regarded as a fantastic all-rounder. With a passionate following of proud owners, the T100 has played a key part in the birth of the modern custom scene.
Bonneville T120
The Bonneville T120 shares these classic underpinnings but with a more powerful 1200cc engine. More beautiful, more powerful and more capable than ever before, the T120 is technologically advanced with a premium specification, including 41mm cartridge forks, preload-adjustable twin rear suspension units and twin Brembo front brake calipers with ABS.
Bonneville T120 Black
The meaner and moodier Bonneville T120 Black, with its tough blackout finish and classic wire-spoked wheels, is the epitome of individualism and style.
Bonneville Scrambler 900
With its distinctive high pipes, iconic silhouette and thrilling British twin bark, the Scrambler 900 is the first choice for urban classic style and all-road riding fun. It’s high-torque 900cc Bonneville engine and ride-by-wire throttle delivers superb performance, rideability and control. Its 19” front and 17” rear wire-spoked wheels add to its stylish and confident stance.
Scrambler 1200 X
The Scrambler 1200 X delivers authentic Scrambler style with thrilling, characterful-laden performance, and effortless all-road agility. It is also remarkably accessible, with a seat height of 820mm, reducing to 795mm with the accessory low seat.
Bonneville Scrambler 1200 XE
The statuesque poise of the Scrambler 1200 XE makes it capable of conquering the most rugged terrain, with an off-road ready 21” front wheel and Triumph’s premium quality and finish, The high-power, torque-rich 1200cc Bonneville engine has a dedicated Scrambler tune.
Bonneville Bobber
The Bonneville Bobber became the quickest-selling Triumph in history when it launched in 2016. Its distinct styling draws on a post-war US tradition of stripping a bike to its bare bones and ‘bobbing’ the rear fender for maximum speed, with Triumphs of the day chosen by many to ‘bob’ for their performance and handling. Building on their iconic style with thrilling performance, beautiful engineering innovation and premium finish, Triumph’s new Bobber marries category-defining performance with peerless, original, custom minimalism.
Bonneville Speedmaster
The Bonneville Speedmaster story starts with the incredibly rich history of Triumph classic custom cruisers since the 1950s, distinctive and characterful British motorcycles built to deliver a laid-back two-up cruiser style. The modern Speedmaster is about laid-back attitude and the cruiser riding style, eating up miles with ease while retaining precision handling and spirited performance.
Speed Twin 900
Triumph’s biggest-selling Modern Classic, the Speed Twin 900, has won legions of fans around the world thanks to its combination of retro style, agile handling, low seat height and modern technology; making it perfect for unforgettable weekend escapes or maximum fun on city commutes.
Speed Twin 1200 & 1200RS
The latest addition to Triumph’s Modern Classics Bonneville family, the Speed Twin 1200 RS, joins the 2025 line up alongside an updated Speed Twin 1200, taking exhilarating retro sports performance to a whole new level. Both bikes are sharper, more agile, full of character and fully equipped with the latest technology for the most demanding of sports-focused riders.
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