Indian Motorcycle has built a fully customised Indian Chief Classic to show what can be done to personalise its bikes. The Big Chief Custom was designed by the Polaris Industries industrial design team to showcase Indian Motorcycle accessories and was shown for the first time at the International Motorcycle Show held at the Javits Center in New York City.
“This Big Chief Custom was designed to spark owners’ imagination on how to customise, enhance and personalise the 2014 Indian Chiefs,” said design team head Greg Brew.
One highlight of the custom build is the billet aluminum girder front end that recalls the early Indian models. Designed, machined and built in-house, the girder fork features fully machined uprights and sand-blasted billet cross members with a custom 23-inch front wheel. The custom front valance fender maintains the classic look of the Indian Chief. A custom shock and headlight complete the front-end package. Custom paint was applied in-house by team member Steve Leszinski with a multicolored theme from prior generations of Indian motorcycles.
Another nod to the long history of Indian Motorcycle is the springer-style seat, though updated through a cantilevered design. Combined with the standard single rear shock, the Big Chief Custom promises to be a smooth ride.
It also features a custom cam cover, primary cover, chrome grips and beach bars. The robust sounding Stage 1 exhaust sports fish tail tips. Other accessories include war bonnet floorboard pads, a heel shifter and chrome rear fender bumper.
The Big Chief Custom will be on display in the Indian Motorcycle exhibit as part of the US 2014 International Motorcycle Shows tour. Remaining tour stops include Novi, Michigan; Washington, DC; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Cleveland, Ohio; Chicago, Illinois; and Seattle, Washington. The Display features the 2014 line of Indian Chief motorcycles including the Chief Classic, Chief Vintage and the Chieftain — Indians’ first-ever bagger. The display also includes the Spirit of Munro, a custom tribute to the legendary Burt Munro, and a display of vintage Indian motorcycles dubbed “Springfield Row” that will change from show to show. Additional features include an accessory and apparel display, a cut-away Thunder Stroke 111 engine and a rolling chassis that showcases the advanced technology underpinning all Indian Motorcycle models.