Triumph Originals - UK
CHARLIE STOCKWELL, STOCKWELL DESIGN/TRIUMPH LONDON
"DON’T RUSH! AND DON’T LET OTHERS RUSH YOU. LET THE IDEAS DEVELOP."
In the bustling capital, Triumph London x Stockwell Design has been an epicentre for meticulously crafting custom motorcycles for 29 years. Stockwell puts it like this: “My life revolves around motorcycles, and has done for decades.” And though the team has only been working with Triumph bikes for the past two years, they’ve quickly become deeply connected to its rich British heritage and craftsmanship.
At the core of their process is a relentless attention to detail, where every part must serve a purpose. For them, each bike is imagined down to its smallest component, with nothing included without intent. The team have applied this refined style to the customs brief, capturing a modern take on the Bonnevilles of the 50s and 60s – bikes which the team define as “the ultimate British icon.”
With such a focus on the fine details, when asked what the most rewarding part of the process is, the team described the moment when you take a step back from the workbench and take the photos of each build. It’s sometimes only then, when you appreciate the project.
Which bike did you choose to use for your custom build and why?
Bonneville T100 was the most iconic Triumph not only for Triumph but within the modern classic range.
STYLE
In your opinion, what makes a custom bike iconic and how does your design achieve this?
I like to retain some originality of the brands heritage and I like it to be recognizable which is why the Triumph Originals build appealed to me as it fits well with my way of working. I like to reimagine the original design by valuing and respecting the original designs behind each motorcycle.
Which styling details in your custom build are you most proud of, and how do you think they elevate the style?
There isn't one individual piece. It is the combination of everything in its finished form. The clean flowing lines throughout the whole build elevate the style whilst using as many original triumph parts as possible
BRITISH ORIGINALITY
What element of 'British Originality' inspired your design?
Art deco era & beginnings of the Aviation & automotive industry as it became more widely available in mainstream. That era was full of lofty and flamboyant ambition in design working with polished metals and wild colours.
How did your turn this inspiration into a design for your custom bike?
Looking intensively through relevant online inspiration and historic Triumph Motorcycles combined with Rock and Roll culture synonymous with motorcycles.
What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
Working to deadlines for this build whilst also completing 20 + other custom customer, builds will always have its challenges.
CREATIVITY & INNOVATION
What aspects of the design and build best showcase your approach to creativity and innovation?
Carefully sourcing parts that are complimentary in how we imagined the bike to look. Refinishing and reworking some of the original finishes and shapes whilst retaining a recognizable Triumph Motorcycles. We wanted people to see this was a Bonneville without reading it on the tank. It is too easy to completely change the bike for parts sake.
What makes this build a true one-off custom?
It will never be repeated, as with all of the bikes I have built in the past 3 decades.
Were there any aspects of the design and build process that you had to change, adapt, or rethink during the build process?
Wheels/tyres and headlamp has been through three variations. Paint was also reconsidered and redesigned at the last minute to compliment the flow and shape of everything else on the bike.
CRAFTSMANSHIP
Where can we see your personal style of craftsmanship in the build?
I feel that my style and craftsmanship is reflected throughout the entire build and is recognizable across all of the Bonnevilles.
How did you choose the materials, finishing and details of your build?
With careful consideration in matching finishes on materials from our initial design inspiration as mentioned before. Polished aluminum, stainless steel, bright colours.
Have you tried any new techniques throughout the build process?
No because I felt this wouldn't have been the build/brief to do this one. Within 30 years there isn't many things that I haven't tried that I am satisfied with.
THE RIDE
What have you done to the build to enhance the ride?
We didn't really emphasis on enhancing the ride, it was more about enhancing the look as we feel the Bonneville is a style choice already built on a perfectly accomplished and well-engineered original icon.
What element of the Bonneville platform did you not want to change, and stay true to the original?
I wanted to stay true to the silhouette of the bike while enhancing the finer, smaller details which bring the brief to life.
How do you want the rider to feel when they get on your custom build?
I want them to relish in the detail and find more and more the deeper they look.
Does your custom bike have a name?
The Bonneville Sunraiser - Named by the owner.
ABOUT US
How did you get into Customs?
My brother-in-law, Ian Thomas, is responsible for all things motorcycles. He taught me to ride when I was 10, helped me build my first custom bike when I was 15, and then went on to mentor me at the start of my career as a mechanic way back in 1996.
What draws you to customising Triumph motorcycles, particularly the Bonneville range?
The Triumph Bonneville is a true British Icon and as a Brit, you can’t help but feel proud to be working on them. The Bonneville has got to be one of the most recognised bikes ever. I remember Ian’s friends riding Triumphs when I was young and always thought how cool they looked.
What do you think makes the Bonneville platforms a great platform for custom builds?
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?
Don’t rush! And don’t let others rush you. Let the ideas develop. The best ideas come to you that way. If you force yourself into designing right now, you’ll never put out your best work. I like to see the finished project in my head before I start collating a list of parts and designs. When I have that image in my head… then I’ll start.
What makes your builds unique compared to others in the custom scene?
The small details. Keeping the bike neat and tidy. There are thousands of custom builders out there now from when I started. Lots of the bikes look kinda similar and there are some great bikes being built. It’s also about the experience and friendship you grow with the customer along the way. I want them to feel involved and enjoy the project from start to finish. That’s a big part of the bike.
What was your initial reaction to the ‘Icons of British Originality’ design brief?
It fits my style. I like details and those with good reason behind them. We get to really express ‘iconic’ Britishness and the archives of Triumph Motorcycles. I enjoy looking and researching older models of Triumph and borrowing ideas from the Bonnevilles of the past.
What aspect of British culture has influenced your response to the brief?
Quite a bit actually. Obviously, the early Bonneville models. The small but unique details on some of those you’ll see in our build. We’ve borrowed ideas from the 50’s and 60’s rock ’n’ roll days. The vibe, the fashion, the aviation industry, the autocar industry… metal finishes and shapes. Everything was bloody cool back then!
What's your favourite part of the build process, and why?
I enjoy all of it. If I had to narrow it down, then it would be making the small detailed parts. Those bits are often small and not in your face, but they make a big difference once you start looking deep into each bike.
Is there a golden rule you always follow when building a custom, and is there one rule you love to break?
I prefer not to mess with the main wiring harness too much. I like to keep that as ‘factory’ as possible. When we do have to, we at least use the same colour wires to make it easy for someone to follow should they ever need to work on the bike. A lot of my bikes go out of the country, so I like to think we help the next technician who’s servicing the bike. I insist on using quality brands for parts too.
And one rule we love to break?
Aren’t we breaking the rules of the original designers already?
