Is it right to copy a custom bike? | GTAMotorcycle.com

Is it right to copy a custom bike?

robmack

robmack

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Let's say you've seen THE custom bike of your dreams. It has everything you desire in a motorcycle but it is a one-of custom; nothing like it anywhere else. There's no way you'd ever be able to own the original because it's never going to come up for sale. Let's say you have the ability to reproduce that same bike, given enough time and money. Is it right or ethical to copy it? Is it like copyright and you should seek permission first?
 
It's unethical to make a copy and try to pass it off as it's original but people have always been reproducing customs. There are lots of copies of the Easy Rider, Mad Max Goose and the Marborough Man bikes.
 
As long as you don't try to take the credit your self I say go for it. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. That being said everyone copies someone period
 
If you have an ethical dilemma then you already know that it's not the right thing to do. However that bike is custom for someone else so you can either copy someone else's perfect bike...or use their bike as an inspiration to build one that's better for YOU. A custom is different for everyone I'm sure a direct replica is fine but in the end you're using someone else's idea and not your own. Or just ask the owner if you can buy it
 
^what he said. stare at that thing for a while and think what you could do better.
 
Isn't the point of a custom to reflect yourself as an indivdual?
 
Imitation is the highest form of flattery.

That being said, if you're not violating any patents, then do it! Make yourself happy

I saw a naked blue SV, with bar-end mirrors, and the guy even had the same RF-1100 helmet! Not that what I have is rare, but I didn't expect to see it anywhere 'round here. I didn't mind.
 
As long as you aren't trying to pass it off as the original....go for it. Even if you are doing it for $ and you aren't taking credit and you are stating it's a copy or inspired by it, I don't see a problem. You are doing the work to make it. As long as it's not copyrighted or similar.
 
Custom bike ideas have to come from somewhere!

Even if you copy another design, odds are by the time you finish, you're going to have some difference which makes it your own unless you're copying an iconic vehicle like the Captain America or the General Lee.
Then you may even want to get it as accurate a copy as possible.
 
I'm pretty sure you can make a bike with the same attributes but tweak it enough that it's the way you want it, i mean it's not like you can change little things to make it your own, different exhaust, paint color, lights etc etc.

I wouldn't for one make it exact, that's a little cheesy. If you really want my old gixxer dude I'll sell it to you.
 
Even if you or your idea is one in a million there are still 7000 others the same so play on.
 
If you aren't going to be reproducing it with the intention for profitting, or misrepresenting it by saying it was made by someone but it really wasn't. I don't see a problem. Truly original ideas are rare, they all play and build off other ideas. Im willing to bet the bike you are inspired by was modeled in some way off another bike and so on. You may start off making a near identical copy but end up adding your own twist. If thats the bike you want, go for it.
Hell one guy spent years building a Lamborghini Countach in his basement, not to mention all the Kit car Fieros.
 
Find out of the owner wants to sell it. You may be surprised how badly he wants out of it. I can think of at least a few custom rides that went for fire-sale prices because the odds of finding a buyer with similar taste was unlikely.

If you reproduce it, your version will never give you satisfaction. Buy it, or use it to inspire something that is your own, but a copy will only ever feel like a copy.
 
There are always moral and legal implications when you "copy" something.
There is a great difference between copying a product for sale and selling it yourself, and recreating something you saw for your own personal use.
I think another important factor is the number produced, that is, a one-off piece of art vs. a mass-production item.
Finally, whether it's considered art, custom fabrication, or just a personal expression is also important.

If you have been inspired by someone's creation, do what you want with yours. Since you readily admit that someone else was the inspiration, give credit to what inspired you whenever you can.
 
Emefef said:
There are always moral and legal implications when you "copy" something.
There is a great difference between copying a product for sale and selling it yourself, and recreating something you saw for your own personal use.
I think another important factor is the number produced, that is, a one-off piece of art vs. a mass-production item.
Finally, whether it's considered art, custom fabrication, or just a personal expression is also important.

If you have been inspired by someone's creation, do what you want with yours. Since you readily admit that someone else was the inspiration, give credit to what inspired you whenever you can.
Click to expand...
Not to discredit all the great input everyone has contributed to this thread (and it is great), I'll pick out Emefef's post above. It very well captures the way I see things.

A custom bike is an individual's personal expression; others have said this as well. My intention would never be to create a custom bike and pass it off as my own creation nor to produce multiple copies for profit. And I would also give credit to the original inspiration. It would be for capturing someone else's expression of themselves, an expression that exactly matches my personal vision for myself, and enjoying it for myself. I don't have the artistic flair to come up with that perfect bike from scratch, but I can recognize it when I see it. Since, the possibility of ever owning that custom is out of reach, the alternative is to recreate it as closely as possible and then enjoy it. There is satisfaction in the journey of transforming what you have into that perfect machine and that is enough for me.

I own the base motorcycle today. I have the capacity and skill to complete the execution of the project as well. I'm going ahead and possibly by next season, have the bike finished.

Thanks hugely for the insightful input guys. Cheers.
 
Good artists copy, great artists steal (Steve Jobs).


Be a good artist: reproduce it.

Or visit the museum!

----------------------------

I say go ahead and do what you want. You will find incredible satisfaction at the end of the day when it looks just like what you wanted, and knowing you did it all yourself.

Good luck with the project!
 
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