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Modified Triumph Speed Twin Wears the Black and Gold Colorway Better Than Most

Triumph Speed Twin 14 photos
Photo: Unikat Motorworks
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Unikat Motorworks of Wroclaw, Poland is the sort of firm that never does things by halves, and we’ve seen what they can pull off many times before. Shop boss Grzegorz Korczak used to be an accomplished filmmaker by trade, but fate led him down a different path back in 2013. This is the year that Unikat was founded, taking Sir Korczak down the path of motorcycle customization.
The workshop would gradually expand over the coming decade, with tons of incredible machines put together along the way. According to their website, Grzegorz and his team have thus far tackled more than 200 custom projects of all shapes and sizes – an impressive figure, to say the least! What you’re seeing here is the latest one-off to roll out of their garage in Wroclaw, and we totally dig it for many reasons.

As their starting point for this endeavor, the Unikat squad used a Triumph Speed Twin 1200 from the model-year 2019. It comes equipped with a liquid-cooled 1,200cc parallel-twin good for up to 96 hp and just under 83 pound-feet (112 Nm) of torque. The motorcycle’s suspension and brakes are nothing to sneeze at, either, and we can probably all agree that its looks are also pretty charming.

Grzegorz and his teammates knew they could improve the suspension package, though, so that’s where their overhaul began once the bike had been dismantled. The 41 mm (1.6-inch) cartridge forks saw their internals removed, and the OEM shock absorbers got ditched altogether. A premium selection of Bitubo components have been fitted in their stead, offering full adjustability fore and aft.

Unikat did away with the factory wheels, as well, so as to make room for lighter Kineo substitutes measuring 17 inches on both ends. Their rims are enveloped in K73 rubber from Heidenau, originally designed for supermotos but well-suited for this scrambled Speed Twin. Unlike the specimen’s suspension hardware, its brakes were left pretty much unchanged during the overhaul. The same goes for the engine’s internal workings.

Triumph Speed Twin
Photo: Unikat Motorworks
As a matter of fact, the only change that took place in the powertrain department had to do with the exhaust system. The stock headers have been retained, but they now terminate in custom-built reverse megaphone silencers manufactured in-house. On the other hand, the torquey vertical twin still breathes through the original airbox as opposed to aftermarket pod filters. Now, let’s talk about the updated bodywork worn by this head-turner.

The Speed Twin’s fuel tank is the only factory garment left in play, wearing a new aluminum filler cap to keep things looking nice and clean. Moving southward, we come across a gorgeous solo saddle fabricated from scratch, featuring black leather upholstery and yellow stitching for ample contrast. This bike may be a scrambler, but it does come with a bespoke tail unit oozing cafe racer vibes.

Moreover, there is a discreet rear fender located beneath the tail, preventing road debris from going where it shouldn’t. A slender alloy mudguard can also be spotted at the front, right ahead of a pointy, off-the-shelf belly pan supplied by Renstall Moto. Unikat’s custom bike connoisseurs really went to town in the cockpit, deleting the OEM handlebar in favor of a flat substitute originally designed for drag racers.

Triumph Speed Twin
Photo: Unikat Motorworks
Stylish leather grips and billet aluminum control levers are also present in that area, along with bar-end mirrors and turn signals from Motogadget’s catalog. The standard headlight and its accompanying brackets have been retained, but a yellow-tinted lens replaces the clear factory part for added pizzazz. At the back, lighting comes from multi-function Highsider LEDs acting as both taillights and turn signals.

The license plate lives nice and low on the left-hand side, supported by a custom swingarm-mounted bracket. CNC-machined foot pegs from LSL are also present on the flanks, rounding out the long list of premium accessories used on this modded Triumph. Before wrapping things up and calling it a day, Unikat Motorworks had to take care of the motorcycle’s paint job. Simple though it may be, the color scheme is a perfect match for their scrambled gem.

Black was used as the base color in a mixture of gloss and matte finishes, but then there are the snazzy gold highlights used all throughout this stunning Speed Twin. They complement the Kineo rims and headlight lens perfectly, with pinches of gold making their way onto many of the bike’s nuts and bolts for visual continuity. Furthermore, the exhaust system was cloaked in a stealthy layer of ceramic coating.

All things considered, this conversion wasn’t as complex as some of Unikat’s other builds, but it did make an already-beautiful machine even sexier. The black paint is abundant without being overused, while the gold accents bring about a touch of elegance perfect for Triumph’s modern classic. Every modification performed here is impeccable, which is what we’ve come to expect from this Polish bike-modding clinic.
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About the author: Silvian Secara
Silvian Secara profile photo

A bit of an artist himself, Silvian sees two- and four-wheeled machines as a form of art, especially restomods and custom rides. Oh, and if you come across a cafe racer article on our website, it’s most likely his doing.
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