Custom Triumph 'Babe' Speed Twin RS: Performance Meets Personal Racing Heritage
PUBLISHED 16.10.2026
This week marks the completion of the latest custom build with Triumph West London from LIND × Stockwell Design: a personalised, high-performance Triumph Speed Twin 1200 RS, affectionately named 'Babe'.
It's a motorcycle built at the intersection of modern performance and personal racing heritage, combining the already formidable capabilities of Triumph's Speed Twin 1200 RS with bespoke craftsmanship, distinctive finishes and a story that stretches far beyond the road. And, interestingly, it wasn't the motorcycle its owner had originally come looking for.
From Bonneville Demo to Speed Twin Obsession
The journey began earlier this year when the bike's owner, Phil, contacted the team looking for a signature Stockwell Design T120 custom build. After taking the showroom's demonstrator Bonneville out for a test ride, he returned, spotted a brand-new Speed Twin 1200 RS on the showroom floor, and asked with a broad grin, “What's that?!”
One hour and a blast around the block later, his mind was completely made up. The sporty geometry of the Speed Twin, the sharp handling of its Öhlins suspension and the agility of its 17-inch wheels were simply too good to pass up. Phil wasn't looking for a trailer queen that only looked the part. He wanted a custom machine that handled and performed every bit as well as it looked.
Born on the Track: Racing Heritage Built In
Phil isn't an armchair motorcycle fan. He's an active racer who still competes at the historic Le Mans Classic, campaigning a variety of two-stroke and four-stroke machines, including his iconic Kawasaki ZXR 750.
Because the Speed Twin 1200 RS comes exceptionally well-equipped from the factory in terms of power and handling, the core performance was left intact. The goal for Stockwell was clear: focus entirely on the visual identity and bespoke details, creating a motorcycle that reflected Phil's personality and racing heritage without compromising the performance that had won him over in the first place.
A Personal Touch: Mandarin Pearl & Ice White
Orange has always been one of Phil's favourite colours, so Stockwell Design developed a modern take on the classic Bonneville fuel tank paint scheme, pairing vibrant Mandarin Pearl with crisp Ice White accents and contrasting Vivid Black. The result is a distinctive finish that brings a more personal character to the Speed Twin's already purposeful silhouette.
But the paintwork also carries a familiar symbol from Phil's racing past. Featured across his race bikes and helmets over the years, the four-leaf clover motif was incorporated into the tank design, providing a striking contrast and a lucky charm for the road. It's a small detail with a much bigger meaning, connecting his latest motorcycle with the machines he's raced throughout the years.
Number 72: The Story Behind Babe
The racing references continue with a pair of hand-fabricated side-panel number boards, displaying Phil's race number, 72, alongside the motorcycle's name, Babe.
And there's a rather unusual story behind that name. In true personal fashion, all of Phil's race bikes are named after famous pigs, and Babe continues that tradition. It's a playful detail, but one that makes the build unmistakably his, bringing another piece of his racing identity onto the road.
Burnt Bronze & Seventies Racing Influence
To channel the nostalgia of 1970s motorcycle racing, when legendary race bikes frequently ran lightweight magnesium components, Stockwell Design turned to a distinctive Burnt Bronze Cerakote finish. The wheels, engine covers and handlebars were refinished in the durable, rich bronze coating, creating a subtle reference to the competition machinery of the era.
Against the Mandarin Pearl, Ice White and Vivid Black paintwork, the Burnt Bronze adds another layer of contrast, reinforcing the motorcycle's racing influence without taking away from its modern character.
A Titanium Soundtrack
For the soundtrack, the team turned to trusted exhaust fabricator Tom Hitchcox. Tom handcrafted a full titanium exhaust system for Babe, bringing a distinctive finish to the motorcycle while unleashing a wild, intoxicating soundtrack the moment the throttle opens.
Further refinements include Motogadget Mo.Blaze turn signals, a BAAK tail tidy and a Motone sump guard, keeping the overall appearance clean and purposeful. To complete the build, a set of Dunlop Mutant tyres was fitted. Beyond delivering exceptional all-weather road performance, their aggressive tread pattern echoes the appearance of full racing wet tyres, completing the track-inspired silhouette.
The Verdict
Babe is more than just a head-turner. It's a deeply personal tribute to a life spent on the track, wrapped around one of the finest modern roadsters on the market today. From the four-leaf clover and race number 72 to the magnesium-inspired Burnt Bronze finishes and handcrafted titanium exhaust, every detail reflects Phil's passion for motorcycles and his own racing history.
And while the build began with the intention of creating a custom Bonneville T120, one unexpected test ride changed everything. The performance was already there. Stockwell Design simply made it personal.
MAKE YOUR TRIUMPH UNMISTAKABLY YOURS
The 'Babe' Speed Twin RS proves that a custom motorcycle doesn't have to sacrifice performance to reflect its owner's personality. From bespoke paintwork and handcrafted details to subtle references to a lifetime of racing, every Stockwell Design build is shaped around the rider.
Explore the Stockwell Design gallery for inspiration or discuss your own bespoke project with Charlie Stockwell below.
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