Triumph Originals - Brazil
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
