Most customers approach a bike builder with a firm idea of what they want, armed with fat binders of photos and sketches acting as inspiration. But the most interesting builds come from people like the owner of this old Beemer?who wheeled it into Federal Moto?s workshop and said ?have at it.?
And that?s quite the compliment, given the owner of the 1974-model BMW R75/6 was pretty damn attached to it. It was recently inherited from his late father, who punted the vintage boxer twin around his home town of Hannibal, Missouri for decades.

?The customer knew he wanted to customize it and keep his dad?s legacy alive,? Federal?s Mike Muller says. ?While searching for a shop that could do the work, he stumbled across us and reached out?.
No doubt the decision was kicked along by Federal Moto?s reputation as a go-to builder in the Chicago area. So the owner made the five hour drive up to their West Loop workshop for a chat.
?We had a few beers and the deal was done,? Mike says. ?And to help with the price he actually owns a tattoo shop in Hannibal called Two Fathoms tattoo. So to offset some costs, we traded work!?
And as for the design of the BMW itself" ?He wanted the bike to be a total surprise. No direction was given on what he wanted the final bike to look like.? Mike and the team were elated. ?Our dream had come true: finally a client that doesn?t want black on black on black.”

Although a relief, it?s clear why so many customers are reluctant to deviate from...