Each sought to honour Indian Larry’s memory by building no less than three of history’s most significant choppers. Creating arguably the essential custom motorcycle builds ever built.
It was now up to Keino and Paul to build “the final masterpiece” worthy of Indian Larry’s massive legacy.
Now, a decade after Indian Larry’s untimely passing.His two partners are coming together again for another tribute bike.
The Indian Chief Build-Off Custom will be the first in a series of build-offs. With the winner receiving their signature bike powered by a vintage American V-Twin engine.
They reunite to build custom motorcycles on their terms. Cox and Sasaki have teamed up again to create a line of Indian Chief build that will be used as a reality television series.
Cox and Sasaki were selected to design. And construct a full-blown custom chopper with “no rules or boundaries established by previous builds”, says Indian Motorcycle.
Inspiration for their first Indian build came in a call from the factory asking for a Chief “build off” custom.
The custom
Cox and Sasaki were blown away by the concept. But they had their vision for the bike they wanted to achieve.
“When we were asked to participate in a build-off.We wanted to show what our interpretation of that would be,” explained Cox.
“We had an idea for a factory-custom with heritage flair.But still harkening back to modern bikes ─ a touch of old school meets new school”.
They wanted to modify the bike enough while still keeping true to its original look. We even held a lot of the stock engine and exhaust system to remind people.
“The most challenging part of this build was the frame and figuring out how to ‘Twist Up’ a Chief.Given that Indian is no longer making frames for this direction,” says Cox.
“We also switched to a Girdraulics front end which took much time calculating angles and geometry”.
The downtube now features a unique valve that houses the tank, which comes hidden underneath the seat. The valve itself replicates the exhaust headers’ shape and gives the building process a more streamlined aesthetic.
Typically, they would cut ridges to run the fuel lines, but Cox decided to do external plumbing instead.
Three decades after the original release of the Chief, Indian Motorcycle is delivering a lifestyle custom for adventurous spirits.
The collaboration between one of motorcycling’s prep-meisters—Cox-Keino—and long-time performance guru—Master Cycle Work.Showcases Cox’s signature flat black paint and Keino’s trademark “Bratstyle” graphics package, which forms a visual history of the builder’s life and passions.
via Sturgiss
