The global motor-enthusiast community now has two major reasons to log onto the web. First, Triumph has launched the voting phase of its 2026 custom Scrambler competition inviting the public to decide which hand-picked build best captures the “Time Capsule” theme. Second, Harley-Davidson concluded its Creators Custom Clash at European Bike Week, awarding the top spot to Italian customizer Jack NBC.
How the Triumph Scrambler vote works and who’s competing
Triumph’s originals challenge pairs manufacturers with boutique workshops across seven countries. Each team re-imagines a Scrambler model, blending heritage cues with modern performance. Voters can cast a single vote per email address on a dedicated Triumph portal; the ballot closes on September 22, after which the entrant with the most votes will be crowned the most original custom build of the year.
Among the contenders, Motos Illimitées from Canada presents a Scrambler 1200 XE that borrows aggressive off-road lines from the TF 250-E, creating a machine that looks ready for desert rally as well as city cruising. In China, BVL Garage offers a Scrambler 900 that fuses the country’s high-tech manufacturing processes with the nostalgic spirit of the 1980s adventure bike.
France’s entry, built by FCR Original is the “Red Dust” Scrambler 1200 XE – a homage to 1960s scramblers with a contemporary twist. Italy’s South Garage Motor Co delivers a Scrambler 400 XC that channels the aesthetic of legendary desert-race motorcycles from the ’80s and ’90s. Spain’s Tamarit Motorcycles also submits a 400 XC, emphasizing a duality between past and present in its design language.
The United Kingdom is represented by Stockwell Design whose Scrambler 900 draws on the raw, stripped-back feel of the 60s-70s era, while the United States entrants, the Triumph Columbia River shop, showcase a Scrambler 1200 X inspired by the rugged landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. Each build reflects a distinct interpretation of the “Time Capsule” brief, and the public’s vote will ultimately decide which narrative resonates most.
Harley-Davidson Creators Custom Clash: the Italian victory
The Creators Custom Clash, launched earlier in 2026, challenged six European creators to transform a stock Harley-Davidson into a one-off masterpiece with a €15,000 budget and unrestricted creative freedom. The final showcase took place at European Bike Week® 2026 in Faak am See, Austria, where the six transformed machines were displayed side by side.
Italian builder Jack NBC working with Harley-Davidson Legnano, emerged as the His bike, dubbed the “Breakout”, combines aggressive styling cues with premium components, delivering a striking visual contrast and a noticeable boost in riding dynamics. The jury cited the build’s bold design, meticulous craftsmanship, and contemporary reinterpretation of Harley-Davidson custom culture as decisive factors.
The competition also highlighted notable entries from across Europe. In France, Eskyas refined a Street Bob® into a highly rideable model with subtle aesthetic upgrades. Spanish creator Javier Gallardo transformed a Low Rider® into the “Nómada”, a modern chopper that celebrates freedom and exploration. In the United Kingdom, tattoo artist Miles Langford merged high-performance engineering with personal artistic motifs on a Clubsport-inspired Street Bob. The Dutch builder Arjan van den Boom delivered the “Pink Savage”, a scrambler-influenced bike with a bold colour statement. Germany’s collaborative trio of Pia Tillmann, Zicco Banach and Angelo Carlucci produced a Breakout variant that emphasized contemporary attitude and custom detailing.
Each creator documented the full build journey on social media, offering fans a behind-the-scenes look at concept development, fabrication, and finishing touches. The public vote, combined with a professional jury assessment, ranked the builds on creativity, craftsmanship, design execution, originality, and
Why these contests matter for the custom-bike world
Both Triumph’s and Harley-Davidson’s initiatives underline the growing importance of rider-driven personalization in the motorcycle industry. By granting enthusiasts the power to vote, Triumph encourages community engagement and gives visibility to workshops that might otherwise remain underground. The Time Capsule theme, in particular, pushes designers to bridge historical cues with modern technology, illustrating how heritage can be re-interpreted for today’s riders.
Harley-Davidson’s Creators Custom Clash, meanwhile, demonstrates the brand’s commitment to fostering a new generation of artisans. The €15,000 budget and unrestricted creative scope underscore the company’s belief that authentic, ground-up innovation resides in the hands of independent builders rather than corporate design studios.
Together, these events signal a shift toward a more collaborative ecosystem where manufacturers, dealers, and independent craftsmen co-create the future of motorcycling. Fans, too, become active participants, shaping trends through their votes and social-media interaction. As the September voting deadline approaches, the outcomes will not only crown winners but also set stylistic benchmarks for the next wave of custom motorcycles.
