Source: Motorcycle Cruiser –
Custom Indian Chief built by Noise Cycles and Zach Hindes. (Scott G Toepfer/)Back in 2022 when Indian Motorcycle redesigned the Chief, its flagship cruiser model, the company made it known that this new bike is an excellent base for customization, as any Big Twin should be. Through projects with various builders around the world, Indian continues to demonstrate the Chief’s incredible custom potential. The latest custom on the platform is a collaborative effort between Scott Jones of Noise Cycles and Zach Hindes of Joe Gibbs Racing and Prism Supply Co., which transforms the traditional-style cruiser into a quasi-vintage roadracing machine.“I’m trying to build a racebike out of a cruiser,” Jones said. “The geometry of a racebike and the geometry of a cruiser…miles between.”Louvers cut into the ’70s fairing on the ZH x NC custom Indian Chief. (Scott G Toepfer/)Roland Sands Design rearsets mounted to custom plates. (Scott G Toepfer/)Jones started by stripping the Chief down to its bare bones. With the gas tank, exhaust pipe, seat, and fenders removed, the frame is fully exposed, letting Jones map it out and draw out plans for the build. The final product must show a high level of custom expertise, offer unique style from Jones and Hindes, and add functionality in the form of lean angle and aggressive ergonomics.Once style was decided upon, the next step was to mock up design and get proportions right. Jones drew out a rendering of the Chief roadracer, then used existing fairing components and plywood to get a rough idea of how new components would fit on the bike. Wires were bent around the wooden forms to help visualization in all three dimensions and get shapes just right before beginning fabrication.Indian Motorcycle’s headdress logo on the custom tank fabricated by Hindes. (Scott G Toepfer/)The Chief’s air cleaner tucked behind its new custom fairing. (Scott G Toepfer/)After design and mockup were complete, the build was shipped off to Hindes’ shop for fabrication and final assembly.“The other thing we had to think about, since it’s going to be on a track and ridden at high speeds, is the durability and the strength of it,” Hindes said. “We wanted to overengineer the frame to make sure it would hold up to the speed and load of it.”For both aesthetics and performance, the Chief was to be converted from its original dual-outboard shock design to a monoshock. The original subframe was cut off and replaced with one that sits much higher and the swingarm was modified with new support bars to work with this single-shock design. The seat pan and rear bodywork, like the fairing, were vintage 1970s roadracing equipment that was modified to fit this project.The Chief’s custom exhaust header was fitted with a high-performance muffler from Racefit. (Scott G Toepfer/)Low clip-on handlebars and complete removal of the Chief’s dash change the view from the cockpit completely. (Scott G Toepfer/)Engine internals were left alone, so the Road/Track Chief is powered by a stock 111ci Thunderstroke, but fitted with custom stainless steel headers and a Racefit muffler. Fork internals were left alone but lowers were modified to convert the braking system from single to dual disc. Roland Sands Design machined new wheels for the project, sized 19 inches in front and 17 inches in rear, which were then fitted with new Dunlop racing rubber. Brakes were replaced with a system from Beringer. A mirror-polished metal gas tank was fabricated by Hindes, with knee dents and a classic British roadracing shape. Lastly, the aerodynamic bodywork was painted black with a large “R/T” decal on the tail, indicating the intended use of this machine on road and track.We always love to see a motorcycle completely transformed. When it’s as extreme as changing a classically styled cruiser into a full-blown roadracing machine, it’s hard to find anything not to love.The Road/Track Indian Chief at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama. (Scott G Toepfer/)The Chief’s swingarm was reinforced and made to fit new monoshock rear suspension. (Scott G Toepfer/)With its new subframe, there’s plenty of room underneath the R/T’s seat, giving it a light and airy appearance. (Scott G Toepfer/)No headlight hole on this baddie—track use only! (Scott G Toepfer/)From the rear, hardly any of the Chief’s original components are visible. (Scott G Toepfer/)
