Carey Hart Shows Us the First Custom Indian Chief

[Hugh Janus]

Most manufacturers will also trot out a custom version of new models to help sell the personalization possibilities. The first custom based on the revamped Indian Chief comes courtesy of Carey Hart. (Johnny Laney/)

Indian Motorcycle just dropped its three totally redesigned 2022 Chief models, but certain insiders got their paws on the bike much sooner so that they could build a custom version based on the platform. The company may have officially taken the wraps off the Indian Chief, Indian Chief Bobber, and Indian Super Chief models this week but motocrosser and customizer Carey Hart was lucky enough to score an up-spec version of a stock Chief (in the form of an Indian Chief Dark Horse) some weeks ago and, as you’d expect, upped the specs and the stance even more.

Related: 2022 Indian Chief First Look and Gallery

The Chief Dark Horse Hart got his hands on packs the higher-compression Thunder Stroke 116 engine and Ride Command system as standard. (Johnny Laney/)

With the new 2022 Chief’s design being a pretty radical departure from most of the other Chief iterations over the decades, Hart had a more minimal—practically blank, actually—foundation to start from. Given the skimpy bodywork, mid-mount controls, and drag bars, the new Chief already brings a more sporty riding position, and it looks like Hart took that aesthetic and added a more purposeful performance bias to it, swapping in new wheels, tires, brakes, fork… We’ll just get to as much as we can in the gallery that follows. Read on for the details.

Related: Carey Hart’s “King Killer” Custom Indian

The Indian Chief Dark Horse version packs the higher-compression Thunder Stroke 116 engine which Hart accented with new covers and graphics, though no word on if he did any internal tinkering. (Johnny Laney/)
Replacing the stock model’s staggered dual exhaust is a 2-into-1 custom unit from Fab28 Industries; chain conversion is by Zipper’s. (Johnny Laney/)
The new Chief also more easily allows for new suspension upgrades; the external stock shocks get swapped with a premium set of piggyback Fox units. (Johnny Laney/)
The new copper-finish wheels are from San Diego Customs, and wear new Galfer rotors now clamped by Beringer calipers. (Johnny Laney/)
In keeping with the performance theme, Saddlemen stepped in with a stepped, dragster-style seat to replace the wide, scooped stock unit. (Johnny Laney/)
New finishes, paint, and trim fill in the cockpit area, with bars and grips from ODI; bar clamps, risers, and gauge bucket from Kraus Motor Co.; and mirror from Rizoma. (Johnny Laney/)
The Chief takes on a way different demeanor viewed from the front, thanks to a Ness front fairing and fork extensions from Altered Industries. GP Suspension internals now live in the fork. (Johnny Laney/)

Source

[Grasshopper]

At first I thought it was a bit much, but as I read about it, the look grew on me. 

[Sir Fallsalot]

27 minutes ago, Grasshopper's Ride said:

At first I thought it was a bit much, but as I read about it, the look grew on me. 

I think if they got rid of that nose cone fairing and painted it satin black with the gold it would be the dogs dangly bits 

[Buckster]

It’s shite.

[Tym]

Scroll real fast and you-d think you;re at the circus. 

[Sir Fallsalot]

13 hours ago, Tym said:

Scroll real fast and you-d think you;re at the circus. 

I did it and yes