Custom Contest 2026

Time has been the one thing we haven’t had enough of.

Between running a dealership, managing people, putting out fires, chasing opportunities, and trying to build something meaningful for our customers and our community—it always feels like we’re splitting ourselves in two. There’s “shop time,” and then there’s “everything else.” And somehow, both demand everything.

That’s where Warped came from.

The idea of a time capsule—but not one that stayed intact. One that got pulled through something it wasn’t meant to survive. Bent, stretched, distorted. Still recognizable, but changed. That felt familiar.

Because building this bike didn’t happen in a vacuum. It happened in between phone calls, after hours, before opening, in the margins of already full days. It happened while solving staffing issues, while pushing sales, while trying to rebuild something bigger than just a dealership. There was no clean block of time carved out for it. We had to make time—and we were constantly running out of it.

So the bike became a reflection of that.

Vintage influence - timeless lines, classic stance, something that feels like it could’ve existed decades ago. But underneath, it’s all modern. Performance, engineering, capability - it’s built for right now. That tension between past and present is intentional. It’s what happens when time doesn’t move in a straight line.

Warped is what it looks like when everything overlaps.

It’s New Orleans in a way too - nothing here is ever just one era. Old and new live on top of each other. History isn’t behind us; it’s part of the present. That same energy lives in this build.

We didn’t have unlimited time. We didn’t have perfect conditions. But we made something real in the middle of it all.

And maybe that’s the point.

Time doesn’t slow down. You just decide what you’re going to do with what you’ve got.

This is what we did with ours.

About the Builder: Liz Rubin & Team Triumph Columbia River - Portland, Oregon

I’ve been at Triumph dealerships since 2001, helping riders make their bikes their own. I’m not a fabricator - just someone who loves motorcycles and believes custom builds shouldn’t feel out of reach.

My first custom was a 2000 Legend stripped down into a bobber. It wasn’t perfect, and that was the point. You don’t need a full shop or a huge budget to build something cool - just a vision and the guts to go for it.

Why the Scrambler

The Scrambler doesn’t pretend. It’s built to get dirty, take a wrong turn, and keep exploring. Its heritage design and instant cool factor make it a perfect canvas for customization.

Build Philosophy

Make something I would want to ride every day.

The Build

This bike is a nod to the Pacific Northwest - our love of the outdoors, great roads, and rides where the journey matters more than the destination. Inspiration came from US Forest Service vehicles and a little Smokey Bear nostalgia - growing up in the Rockies, now riding in the PNW. It’s a mix of memory, place, old-school grit, and modern touches.

We incorporated custom components and a few bespoke details that elevated both performance and presence. This wasn’t a solo project - my team at Triumph Columbia River and some amazing friends made it happen. From paint and logos to all the small details, it’s a reflection of our moto community here in Portland. The CROOKED brand custom pieces added the final edge, giving the bike that standout personality.

Style in three words: Good. Clean. Fun.

Favorite part of the process: Seeing all the pieces come together and hearing the team say, “Oh… now I get it.”

Biggest challenge: Time - and finding good black hardware.