INDIAN Motorcycle has announced their plans for three custom interpretations of their newly unveiled 2022 Indian Chief. The selected bike customisers will be Carey Hart, Go Takamine, & duo Paul Cox and Keino Sasaki - their first project together in nearly 15 years.
Alongside the project, Indian Motorcycle has also launched two specially curated Authentic Accessory collections - the ‘Authentic Collection’ with premium accessories, or the ‘Tour Collection’ with day-tripper must haves. Perfect for riders who may be inspired by the three projects, and seeking a chance to personalise their own ride.
Here’s what each customiser is bringing to the Indian Motorcycle table
For the first time in almost 15 years, disbanding following the passing of fellow customiser & friend Indian Larry, Paul Cox and Keino Sasaki:
“Keino and I have stayed in touch over the years, continuing to work in our own individual styles, but when Indian Motorcycle approached us about this collaboration, the timing seemed right. We both bring unique skills to this project, and it will be interesting to collaborate again,
“Initially, I found the new Chief platform to be beautifully designed and thoughtfully engineered in its stock form. It’s tough and clean but possesses a modern elegance at the same time. These are all qualities that I try to combine in my own work, for a well-balanced custom.”
Freestyle motocross legend Carey Hart has been working his magic on Indian Motorcycles for 5 years, and recently unveiled the first ever custom 2022 Indian Chief:
“With the new Chief, Indian Motorcycle has done an incredible job of capturing the strength and timeless lines of what we all have come to expect from a true American V-twin, and in doing so, they’ve served up the ultimate platform for customisation,
“I’m proud to be amongst this incredible group of builders, and I couldn’t be more excited to see what each of us comes up with.”
Go Takamine, well known for his Bratstyle brand, tended to opt for restoring and customising vintage Indian Chiefs and Indian Scouts. This will be his first foray in bringing Bratstyle to a modern Indian Motorcycle:
“Indian Motorcycle has been at the heart of my work for many years, and I have great admiration for the company. It’s an honour to be included in this elite group of builders,
“The new Indian Chief is ideal for customization with its classic steel tube frame and air-cooled motor, and I’m excited by the possibilities of what I can do with it.”
Ola Stenegärd, Director of Design for Indian Motorcycle, had this to say:
“With Go, we have a builder who honours and takes inspiration from the post-war bobber scene. On the other hand, Carey will push forward with modern, performance-oriented design elements, while Paul and Keino bridge the gap between past and future.”
Shipping to dealers now, the 2022 Indian Chief lineup offers three distinct models with two trim levels.
Powering all premium Chief models, including the Chief Dark Horse, Chief Bobber Dark Horse and Super Chief Limited, is Indian Motorcycle’s Thunderstroke 116 engine with 162 Nm of torque. ABS is standard, while premium finishes set these bikes apart and further showcase the craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Fancy learning a bit more about the history behind the Indian Chief?
