Custom motorcycles are supposed to be one-offs: unique creations that make a statement about the owner or builder. Making a direct copy of someone else?s work is a no-no.
But over the years, we?ve heard tales of established builders being asked to replicate another custom bike. The answer is invariably no?and some builders won?t even replicate one of their own previous designs.

Jimmy Dressel from Germany?s Kaspeed found himself in this awkward situation. One of his clients had fallen in love with the Ducati racer built by Belgium?s Deep Creek Cycleworks.
The client already had a 750SS cafe racer built by Jimmy and his twin brother and father. Now he wanted a retro racer suitable for the track days at his local circuit?the Red Bull Ring in Austria.
So Jimmy emailed Kris at Deep Creek and sent him a rendering of what Kaspeed was proposing to build. ?Kris was happy to hear about this,? says Jimmy. ?He encouraged us to do the build, and was eager to see the result. ?
?I find it really cool and a win-win situation to have such a nice feedback from a fellow builder. I suppose Belgians are just nice people altogether!?

A 2005-spec SuperSport 1000DS was soon on the bench in Kapeed?s workshop, tucked away in the small of Glauchau, Saxony. With the best part of 90 hp on tap, Showa adjustable USD forks and a six-speed ?box, the Ducati would offer plenty of thrills on the track.
To err on the prudent side, Jimmy and the crew stripped the bike down. The SOHC twin was refreshed ...