This Custom Harley Is What a Porsche Collab Might Look Like

Sports Car Cola

In the world of sports cars, Porsche has forged a reputation for building some of the very best over the past seven-plus decades, earning a supremely loyal following in the process. Thus, it's no surprise that Porsche has also inspired many other types of creations - including this custom Harley-Davidson cafe racer-style build from Lord Drake Kustoms.

Photos: Lord Drake Kustoms

Curveball

The result is this - a bike dubbed "Speedster," which earned a runner-up spot for best modified Harley at the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building. However, the plan for this custom Harley didn't exactly follow a linear path, as LDK's founder - Fran Manen - was in the process of building a bike specifically for that show when he realized that it simply wouldn't be done in time.

Photos: Lord Drake Kustoms

Encouraging Call

Then, one simple phone call changed everything after Ferry Clot, founder of another custom shop dubbed Hot Dreams informed Manen that he wouldn't be able to attend the show after he was diagnosed with cancer, though he also wanted Clot to push forward with his own plans. "Try to go anyway, you've been there once and you've seen how important it is to be there," Clot told Manen. "If you cannot finish that project you wanted, take one of the transformed Harleys you have already finished, detail it, improve it where you can, and go, even to make a presence."

Photos: Lord Drake Kustoms

Fateful Build

Thus, Manen decided to do precisely that, but instead of his custom build that was lagging behind, he chose to finish a customer's bike - this cafe racer-style build - and take it instead. The future owner greenlighted Manen's plans - including some of which required a change in stylistic direction. From there, the Sportster 883 Speedster build really came to fruition, as if by fate.

Photos: Lord Drake Kustoms

Devil's In the Details

The new plan was to make this bike a tribute of sorts to the Porsche brand, inspired by cars like the 911 and the legendary 917 racer. That much is fairly obvious not only by the bike's sleek lines, but also from its Porsche branding throughout, its custom tail section, wood grips, and various other nifty little details. 

Photos: Lord Drake Kustoms

One Call

Clearly, this abrupt change in plans turned out to be the right move, as the bike immediately earned one of the more prestigious awards out there - not bad for something that was simply supposed to show up and prove that Lord Drake Kustoms is capable of churning out innovative, award-winning builds. Who knew that one simple phone call could accomplish so much?

Photos: Lord Drake Kustoms

>>Join in the conversation about this custom build right here in Harley-Davidson Forums.

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