Reinventing an Icon: The Indian Chopper
The concept for this motorcycle began back in 2021, when Tony took his wife’s 2016 Indian Chief Vintage for a ride and was so impressed he decided to build a chopper using a similar motor. As luck would have it, he found a smashed 2019 Indian Chief Vintage for sale in Devon. So after purchasing the wrecked motorcycle, he had it delivered to String at Raw steel Choppers in Essex, where Tony discussed what he had in mind.
A few drawings and ideas later, String built the frame around the motor, giving it a perfect fit. He also made the exhaust pipes, yokes and various brackets. And whilst the frame was in production, Tony sourced the other parts needed for the final build. With everything now together, it was ready for painting.
The first colour on the frame (orange/pink metal flake) got a resounding thumbs down from Tony’s wife, so he repainted it in red metal flake candy, which was approved – but not the sparkly mess walked indoors from his overalls, face and hair.
The Build Continues: Pushing the Limits of Custom
When all was dry, Tony’s friend Stuart then helped him to re-fit the motor into the frame, ready to continue with the build. The fuel tank was also sent off to Max at Pitt Bull Choppers to design, weld and fit a tube for the G.P.S. speedometer along with relocating the fuel cap. Then came the wiring, which was a lot simpler without the fuel injectors and E.C.U. system.
Tony also converted it to run with a Mikuni HSR 42 carburettor, with a manifold adapter made by String at Raw Steel Choppers. The electronic ignition system runs off the inlet camshaft inside the casing, and with no timing marks, it was challenging to get the timing right, but Max figured it out by putting a rod down the sparkplug hole and setting the timing the old-fashioned way. After that was all completed, Tony then took the bike to Lee Motorcycles in Ledbury for a rolling road tune.
Shakedown Run: First Ride, First Roar
On returning home, the final touches were carried out ready for the shakedown run to the Kickback Show in Malvern the following weekend. Although on the way, the motor stopped, seeming to have run out of fuel. It re- started, but only on tick-over. After inspection, Tony noticed some foam from the air cleaner had melted due to a backfire, resulting in debris being sucked into the carburettor causing the main jet to block.
Once cleared, it ran beautifully. Since then, Tony’s ridden it over 200 miles and the performance of the motor is exceptional with loads of torque. As he stated, “It’s absolutely brilliant to ride, and with 136 cubic inches it has more than enough power. Being a 30 year member of the National Chopper Club, I wanted to build a bike with the ability to travel the many glorious miles we cover over the course of each year, including our European runs.”
On the bike’s first run this year with his club, Tony was absolutely delighted to have been awarded a trophy for Best Engineering, which was a great honour and accolade, especially as there were so many brilliant choppers on display. Well done mate, it’s a great build…
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