Triumph Originals

When Giuseppe Carucci, founder of South Garage Motor Co in Milan, received this year’s ‘Time Capsule' brief, he approached it the same way he approaches every creative challenge – with enthusiasm and the desire to surpass anything he has created before. That energy has defined his business since he first began customising in 2012.

South Garage’s attitude towards custom builds is rooted in a deep respect – for the bike, the brand and the era that inspires each build. Rather than imposing their own vision, they seek to enhance what makes each motorcycle special, preserving its identity and at the same time, elevating it into something distinctive and exclusive.

For Giuseppe, the Scrambler is a natural canvas. Its unmatched versatility, simplicity and timeless character make it ideal for creative reinterpretation – embodying a nonconformity spirit that, to Giuseppe, represents going beyond the road, carving out a path for something new and exciting.

How did you get into Customs?

Custom builds have been a passion of mine from the very beginning. They align with my mindset, my attitude towards life, as well as my drive and vision for the business.

What was your initial reaction to the ‘Time Capsule’ design brief?

How I approach any creative project: with enthusiasm, a desire to challenge myself, a desire to surprise others, and the aspiration to surpass anything I've done before.

What do you think makes the Scrambler platform a great platform for custom builds?

There’s several reasons. Its versatility is unmatched, both in style and function. It’s also got a uniquely seductive power, which comes from its ability to embody the idea of essentiality – it’s the perfect balance between simplicity and sophistication. Finally, it’s a beautifully nostalgic and evocative object – in the 1960s and 70s, it was the defining icon of motorcycle culture in film.

What does the word “Scrambler” mean to you personally, culturally, aesthetically or in any other way?

Culturally, it represents the concept of ‘going beyond the ordinary,’ because its appeal goes beyond the road itself. To me it means the desire to explore and discover, it’s nonconformist and pushes back against a conventional vision.

What’s your favourite part of the build process, and why?

As I always say – ‘ditch the plastic and go for classic!’ For me, you can only achieve that exclusive character, aesthetic satisfaction and a sense of authenticity when you use superior materials, alongside the finest workmanship.

What makes your builds unique compared to others in the custom scene?

I believe it’s how I approach my work. I strive to only use the highest quality materials, finishes and styles, and I’m relentlessly in search of the perfect balance between aesthetics, functionality, comfort and performance.

Is there a golden rule you always follow when building a custom, and is there one rule you love to break?

One rule I religiously stick to is respecting the integrity of the brand and of the motorcycle. And one I love to break? The notion of never redefining the frame and chassis.

Why do you want to take part in the Triumph Originals competition?

A mix of reasons. To recognise and celebrate Triumph and their influence on motorcycle

culture. It’s also an opportunity to show our passion for classic motorcycles. Finally, we wanted to share China’s custom motorcycle culture with the world!

What draws you to customising Triumph Motorcycles?

What sets Triumph apart is the balance they’ve maintained between heritage and relevance – a rich history and still meeting the needs of current riders. The vintage aesthetics combined with the expert craftsmanship and modern technology make the perfect platform for customisation. The fine details and the range of models is why Triumph is our first choice for vintage motorcycle modifications.

What do you think makes the Scrambler platform a great platform for custom builds?

The Scrambler is for both road and off-road use, its tall and well-proportioned stance clearly demonstrates the motorcycle’s posture, mechanical structure and its broad versatility. A bike like this means the rider’s journeys are no longer limited.

What does the word “Scrambler” mean to you personally - culturally, aesthetically or in any other way?

To me, it represents the beginning of the journey, from the tarmac to the wilderness.

Aesthetically, it blends the elegance of British motorcycle culture with the ruggedness of offroad bikes: high-mounted exhausts, spoked wheels, dual-purpose tyres, and clean, pared-back body lines combine to create an unrefined yet purposeful mechanical beauty.

And culturally, it has always symbolised a spirit of freedom and exploration.

Which Scrambler era has inspired your build and why?

The TR7T Tiger Trail model from the 1980s. Motorcycle design in the 80s took a lot of

inspiration from pop culture. Bolder colours and more exaggerated shapes reflected a world booming with development, where everyone wanted more freedom. At the same time, people’s demands for motorcycles become more diverse, leading to crossovers in design, some of which continue to this day. That era holds a unique charm that is both aspirational and nostalgic.

What’s your favourite part of the build process, and why?

I’ve got two. The moment I get a new bike and strip it completely and the moment the final build is finished, and I wheel it into the studio for photos. The beginning and the end.

Working out of the French countryside, the talented team at FCR Original love what they do.

As they’d tell you themselves, they don’t just transform bikes, they rethink them, so they’re as beautiful to look at as they are to ride.

Founded by Sebastien Guillemot in 2012, FCR Original’s approach to custom building is all about the balance between aesthetics, performance and innovation. Their one rule? Every modification they make must have a meaning and a function. If it doesn’t improve the ergonomics, handling and overall balance of the bike, it doesn’t happen.

A successful background in competitive racing gave FCR Original a rigorous understanding of what a motorcycle needs to perform. Their team of specialists know how to design a bike with the perfect blend of style and function, and the Scrambler gave them the perfect opportunity to do just that.

How did you enter the world of custom motorcycles?

In a countryside barn with a dirt floor and a shared passion for mechanics. We weren’t trying to create a brand, the goal was to transform, experiment and push boundaries. It was when we transformed a Triumph Speed Triple 1050 into a rolling piece of art that marked a turning point, that was the first project that led to a sale. It was the moment the FCR Original spirit was born: high standards, performance, attention to detail and timeless elegance.

What attracts you to customising Triumph motorcycles?

Triumph has a heritage unlike any other, the brand’s history is deeply connected to the evolution of modern motorcycles. There’s a British elegance to them, a timeless class that’s evident throughout each generation.

Mechanically, Triumph engines are known for their strength, character and reliability, they're an exceptionally solid foundation for custom projects. Working with a machine that already has a soul means our job is to reveal its potential and elevate it, without betraying it.

How would you describe your approach to building a custom motorcycle?

Before even picking up our tools, we reflect on the lines, proportions and the story the motorcycle should tell. Every modification must have a purpose. A successful build must not only look good, it must also be logical and reliable. We take on every project as a team – shaped by discussions, ideas and challenging each other. Our aim is for every build to reflect the collective craftsmanship of the workshop, with each member’s skills expressed in the final machine.

Which Scrambler era inspired your project?

The 1960s and 70s. This period represents the very essence of the Scrambler, it was a time of returning to the essentials. Bikes were modified with creativity and pragmatism to answer a simple need: to go further. Parts were handmade, designed to be robust and to last. Simple in intention but executed with precision and high standards.

What is your favourite stage of the build process, and why?

The final assembly stage. This is when every component finds its place and the project finally becomes a complete motorcycle, the moment when the concept turns into reality.

If you could build a custom motorcycle for someone, who would it be and why?

Probably Steve McQueen. He embodies the spirit of adventure and freedom associated with Scramblers, and he was also a great Triumph enthusiast. Building a motorcycle for someone who has had such an influence on the culture of motorcycling and the brand would be both a symbolic and exciting challenge.

What draws you to customising Triumph Motorcycles?

What really draws me in is seeing the final result of an idea, whether it’s something simple or completely crazy.

How would you describe your approach to custom bike building?

My approach is more about feeling in the moment. I observe what’s going on around me, but it’s really how I feel that drives my ideas.

What influences and inspirations shape your design and craftsmanship?

I like what’s being done all over the world, but I especially admire builds from Japan and their pursuit of perfection, where everything can be handmade. I also grew up in the motocross world, which might explain my obsession with spoke wheels.

What are the key ideas behind your custom Scrambler for this competition?

The goal was to take this icon to another level where no one expected it to go.

What’s your favourite part of the build process, and why?

The finishing stage, because that’s when you really see if it matches what I had in mind – and everything has to be perfect. During the build, I have a clear vision, but it can be chaos in my head, so yes, I’d say the fi nishing. Being able to work on projects like this lets me do my thing – and seeing the reactions when people fi nally understand where I was going is my way of showing how far I can push things.

Is there a golden rule you always stick to when building a custom bike?

"Stop compromising, start customising."

Liz Rubin, alongside her team at Triumph Columbia River in Portland, Oregon, answered the ‘Time Capsule’ design brief with a custom Scrambler titled, ‘A Tribute to PNW Adventure’. Working at Triumph dealerships since 2001, Rubin believes custom motorbikes shouldn't be out of reach, and helps riders make bikes their own. Her first project, a 2000 Legend stripped into a Bobber, set the blueprint: start with a vision and go with guts.

For this build, Rubin drew on Pacific Northwest riding culture, US Forest Service vehicles, and Smokey Bear nostalgia from her Rockies upbringing, mixing memory and place with old-school grit and modern details. The Scrambler's get-dirty, explorative character became a natural canvas for it all.

Timing was tight and good black hardware was a challenge to find, but custom components, bespoke details, and CROOKED brand parts added the final edge, sharpening both performance and presence. Rubin's favourite moment came when the pieces finally clicked into place and the team's reaction said it all: “Oh... now I get it.”

How long have you been customising Triumph motorcycles?

I’ve been at Triumph dealerships since 2001, helping riders make their bikes their own. I’m not a fabricator – just someone who loves motorcycles and believes custom builds shouldn’t feel out of reach.

How did you get into Customs?

My first custom was a 2000 Legend stripped down into a Bobber. It wasn’t perfect, and that was the point. You don’t need a full shop or a huge budget to build something cool – just a vision and the guts to go for it.

What do you think makes the Scrambler platform a great platform for custom builds?

The Scrambler doesn’t pretend. It’s built to get dirty, take a wrong turn, and keep exploring. Its heritage design and instant cool factor make it a perfect canvas for customisation.

How would you describe your approach to custom bike building?

Make something I would want to ride everyday.

What are the key ideas behind your custom Scrambler for this competition?

This bike is a nod to the Pacific Northwest – our love of the outdoors, great roads, and rides where the journey matters more than the destination. Inspiration came from US Forest Service vehicles and a little Smokey Bear nostalgia – growing up in the Rockies, now riding in the PNW. It’s a mix of memory, place, old-school grit, and modern touches.

If you participated in the competition last year, what did you learn?

Last year, we weren't contestants – our co-founder, Quique Berna, had the honour of being invited as a judge. Experiencing the competition from the other side was eye-opening. By evaluating the work of top builders, we gained an even deeper appreciation for flawless finishes and strong storytelling in each project. Seeing the range of approaches with Triumph as a base reaffirmed our philosophy: true perfection lies not only in looks, but in impeccable technical execution. Serving as a judge made us even more critical and demanding with our own work, and that's something we carry forward, motivating us to step up as contenders this year, eager to channel all that expertise and high standard into a bike of our own.

How would you describe your approach to building custom motorcycles?

What truly sets us apart is our focus on exclusivity and specialisation. We’re the only ones who work solely with Triumph, which has given us a bold and unique brand identity. Our approach is “100% specialised and Triumph-focused.” We don’t just build bikes; we craft 30 exclusive collector’s pieces a year. By focusing solely on Triumph’s Modern Classics engine family, we know every bolt inside and out. Our method blends old-school craftsmanship with a custom accessory system we've developed, turning each bike into a functional work of art. More than just eye-catching, they're one-of-a-kind machines, each stamped with its own name and serial number to certify it as a truly unique piece.

What influences and inspires your approach to design and craftsmanship?

Our biggest source of inspiration comes from classic British heritage blended with the laid-back Mediterranean lifestyle here in Alicante, Spain. We’re drawn to the motorcycles of the '50s, '60s, and '70s, but also high fashion, luxury industrial design, and art. We want the bike to look like it just rolled out of a time capsule, but with today’s cutting-edge technology and craftsmanship.

What was your first reaction when you saw the “Time Capsule” design brief?

It was amazing. For us, a “time capsule” is Tamarit. Triumph’s neo-classic range is timeless – it doesn’t matter if it’s Steve McQueen’s Bonneville or David Beckham’s. Calling it a time capsule is spot on, because these bikes endure for decades, as if their essence gets frozen and reawakened years later. That’s rare among motorcycle brands; most lose their identity when they expand. Neo-classic Triumphs are a time capsule, and so is a Tamarit bike.

What are the key ideas behind your custom Scrambler for this competition?

The main concept is a duality between past and present, between an older and a younger rider, and how the legacy we pass on remains untouchable and eternal. The idea is to see two bikes within one: from different eras, with different perspectives, but united in the same machine. We took a lot of inspiration from the 1980s, with a healthy dose of the '60s thrown in as well. Defining moments in history happened then – it was the dawn of true freedom.

What’s your favourite part of the build process, and why?

Without a doubt, it’s the unveiling. The design phase is pure magic – it's when abstract ideas and a client’s dreams start taking shape as a unique sketch. But nothing tops the handover: seeing the owner’s face light up when they lay eyes on their finished “gem” for the first time is what makes all those hours of hands-on work worthwhile. That’s the moment when the bike stops being just a project and comes to life. We don’t show clients the steps along the way – they see a drawing, and then they see a finished motorcycle. That reveal… it’s everything. We make it so special, we deliver the bikes in person: we’ve even travelled to Wisconsin, USA, to hand the keys to the owner ourselves.

If you had to sum up your style in three words, what would they be?

Elegance, exclusivity, and heritage. (Our goal is for every bike to be truly sophisticated – no two are alike, and each one always honours Triumph’s classic DNA.) We’re not fans of trends; we build for the long haul. Just think of a white t-shirt – it’s timeless now, and it’ll still be timeless in 20 years. There are thousands of Triumph customisations out there – many don’t look like Triumphs anymore. For us, that’s never the point. We want to enhance what’s already there. After all, what’s the point of pretending to be someone you’re not?

For three decades, Stockwell Design, in collaboration with the LIND Group & Triumph London, has been an epicentre for meticulously crafting custom motorcycles. Lathe at the ready, Stockwell defines the studio's approach in three words: "Refined. Functional. Purposeful." It's a standard that last year's competition only sharpened, pushing the team to balance storytelling with execution in every detail.

At the core of their work is the belief that every build must carry a clear concept – because "the bikes are not just visual pieces, they're built to be ridden." For 2026, that concept drew from the Scrambler's 60s and 70s identity: raw, functional, and stripped back. Not the work of any single machine, but "the spirit of all Scramblers and their adventures through life."

The result is a bike imagined as though it’s lived a long life – not beaten, not neglected, but properly used. As Stockwell puts it, a bike that looks like it's "spent its time travelling around the world and then come back home to England, riding through muddy lanes." It’s a moment in time, captured and made relevant for today.

How did you get into the world of Custom motorcycles?

It started from a passion for engineering and design. I was always drawn to the idea of taking something functional and turning it into something personal and expressive. That naturally evolved into building custom motorcycles.

Why do you want to take part in the Triumph Originals competition?

It’s a great opportunity to push creative boundaries while working with an iconic brand. Triumph has such a rich heritage, and this competition allows builders to reinterpret that in a contemporary way. They’re incredibly versatile platforms that allow for creativity without losing their core character.

What do you think makes the Scrambler platform a great platform for custom builds?

Its versatility. The Scrambler naturally sits between on-road and off-road, which gives you creative freedom in both form and function. To me, it represents freedom and adaptability – a bike that’s not confined to one environment, both culturally and aesthetically.

How would you describe your approach to custom bike building?

It’s a balance of design, engineering, and storytelling. Every build needs to have a clear concept, executed with precision and purpose. The bikes are not just visual pieces – they’re built to be ridden.

What influences and inspirations shape your design and craftsmanship?

Art, music, architecture, industrial design, and global motorcycle culture all play a role. I’m also heavily influenced by history and how design evolves over time. The ‘Time Capsule’ brief immediately sparked ideas around heritage and reinterpretation – how to capture a moment in time while making it relevant today.

What are the key ideas behind your custom Scrambler for this competition?

The focus is on blending past and present – taking inspiration from a specific era and translating it through modern materials, finishes, and engineering. While creating a bike that looks as though it's lived a long life. Not beaten up or neglected, but properly used and naturally aged. Like it’s spent its time travelling around the world and then come back home to England, rising through muddy lanes.

Which Scrambler era has inspired your build?

I guess it would be the 60s/70s where the scrambler identity was really defi ned – raw, functional, and stripped back. But no one in particular, more the spirit of all Scramblers and their adventures through life.

What's your favourite workshop tool?

The lathe. It’s one of the most versatile tools in the workshop – whether it’s machining spacers, modifying components, or creating completely bespoke parts from scratch. It allows for a level of precision and craftsmanship that’s hard to match, and it plays a key role in turning ideas into properly engineered solutions.

What’s your favourite part of the build process, and why?

I have two. The ideas stage is always exciting and then the fabrication stage – when ideas start becoming physical and you can see the concept take shape.