Two Custom Indian Scouts Revealed At The New York Progressive International Motorcycle Show

Dirtybird1KlockWerksKustoms1This weekend the New York Javits Center is host to the Progressive International Motorcycle Show (IMS) On the Indian Motorcycle display, 2 custom Indian Scouts by builders John Shope from Dirty Bird Concepts and Karlee Cob from Team Klock Werks were unveiled to the press, then to the public.

Following the launch of the Indian Scout in Sturgis, the first truly new Indian in over 70 years, both builders got a chance to test ride it in the Black Hills. Each, in their own words, say that they loved right away the design, and on the road the performance and reliability. Both got fired up at the at the idea of customizing one, but each had a very different vision of the way a custom Indian Scout should look.

Dirtybird2Indian Scout 42 By Dirty Bird Concepts. Owner John Shope is well known for his custom baggers and co-starred in the television show Biker Battle Ground Phoenix, “So when I saw the new Scout I knew it was going to be a real player on the market – and when I had a chance to ride it – I was totally blown away by how great the engine and handling is” says Shope. His custom was built to reflect the sporting heritage of the Indian Scout. Known for its balance of chassis and power, the history of the Scout model name is framed by racing wins, world records and performances on the fabled “Wall of Death”. The custom work on “Scout 42” was done to increase the sport appeal of the motorcycle, without sacrificing the highly praised handling of the stock bike.

Dirtybird3Dirtybird4From a design standpoint the front of the motorcycle received the most attention. A custom fairing and chin spoiler bring a sport bike aesthetic to the Scout. Interestingly, Shope decided to leave the stock tank alone. “The designers knocked it out of the park. That’s the most bad-ass stock tank ever, I just love the shape.” While the foot peg location remains stock, “Bear Claw” pegs were mounted for increased boot traction, a Renthal handlebar pulls the rider forward into an aggressive stance and for more weight on the front end. A new chin spoiler changes the lines around the stock radiator and front frame member. A custom front fender compliments the tighter look. The Dirty Bird Concepts “Scout 42” will be on display in the Indian Motorcycle Display through the end of the International Motorcycle Shows tour.

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KlockWerksKustoms5Indian Scout Outrider By Klock Werks. The job of being one of the first to customize the new Indian model fell to Karlee Cobb. In 2008, at age 14, Karlee became the youngest person to set a land speed record at the legendary Bonneville Salt Flats. “So it seemed only appropriate that she would design one of the first 2015 Indian Scouts”, says Klock Werks owner Brian Klock. “She had the biggest grin after test riding the new Scout, so giving Karlee the reins on this project seemed a natural fit.” Changing the stance towards a more retro appearance was the first task on Karlee’s list. She swapped the stock 16” rims for a 18″ X 5.5″ rear and a 19″x 3″ front. Both Reveal Wheels from Performance Machine in “contrast cut” finish. A 180 and 130mm set of Dunlop tires ensure that the bike has great traction and handling to match the new attitude.

KlockWerksKustoms7Karlee’s pal, Kully Millage of Kully Co. created a one-off stainless pipe for the bike. 22 year-old Kully from Hartford, SD recently produced winning exhausts for AMA racer Henry Wiles flat track bikes. The intake was modified with a K&N air filter for a nice boost to the already potent 69 c.i. powerplant. The handlebars were custom fabricated and black powder coated with stealthy bar-end signals from Motogadget. The front fender is a Klock Werks item custom trimmed to fit front and the rear is an upswept bobber inspired look featuring a “half frenched” oval taillight A low profile seat pan was fitted to give Karlee the feel of being “in” the bike. PPG Paint was expertly laid on by Brad Smith at The Factory Match shop in Tea, SD is various panels of sage, gray, and earth tones to blend with the stock cast frame color and to highlight the incredible engineering on the latest generation Scout.

“My goal was to build a bike that a decent home mechanic could build,” says Cobb of her project she calls Outrider. Karlee’s Outrider will also be on display at the International Motorcycle Shows.

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34 Responses to “Two Custom Indian Scouts Revealed At The New York Progressive International Motorcycle Show”


  1. 1 Seymour Dec 12th, 2014 at 9:13 am

    One sweet, one sour

  2. 2 Jose Artura Dec 12th, 2014 at 9:22 am

    Agree with Seymour. The blue is great, the other is a miss (pun intended)

  3. 3 P. Hamilton Dec 12th, 2014 at 9:26 am

    John Shope gets it. It’s Indian Scout spirit. The rear fender of Klock Werks is horrible, doesn’t belong to this bike. Same for the ape hangers.

  4. 4 Greeko Dec 12th, 2014 at 9:30 am

    Blue one. Like the exhaust, fairing, front shroud improving radiator appearance. Brown one. Huh.

  5. 5 Brandon Dec 12th, 2014 at 9:31 am

    Hey guys, don’t be too negative. Let’s encourage the young lady.

  6. 6 Rocky Dec 12th, 2014 at 9:33 am

    Glad to see Dirty Bird doing something else than a bagger. Pretty good Scout.

  7. 7 Sheridan Dec 12th, 2014 at 9:42 am

    I don’t like bikes with swing arms or radiators, but damn that blue bike is HOT!!!! Great job John Shope you nailed it

  8. 8 Ray Ray Dec 12th, 2014 at 9:56 am

    The blue bike has good lines. It’s a nice clean looking bike. The brown one? Well, I think… ummm…….I got nothin’.

  9. 9 Chuck C. Dec 12th, 2014 at 10:03 am

    Karee’s is right on the money for a new look for a new bike the blue has been over and over

  10. 10 live2rideaglide Dec 12th, 2014 at 10:08 am

    I kinda agree about the blue and the brown. The bars on the brown look like antlers. Different , that’s cool. Good job lady.

  11. 11 U think U know me Dec 12th, 2014 at 11:22 am

    I like both, but having a hard time with the radiator. Reminds me of a Metric. Not saying that’s bad, just prefer air cooled bikes

  12. 12 Toby Dec 12th, 2014 at 12:10 pm

    Shope’s radiator shroud softens up that godawful slab at the front of the bike (some paint shadowing helps too). That and the simple frame inserts (screens) will sell well.

    I am still of the opinion that this bike will run its course in five years or so. The industrial designed (like mating a Sportster with a naked bike) frame and motor set up will not age well, unlike the other Indians that will still look good in 20 years.

  13. 13 cafesportytc Dec 12th, 2014 at 12:22 pm

    Cant imagine that radiator cowling on the blue bike would help at all, just reducing the overall surface area that can readily be cooled. I know , lame to point out , neat looking bikes, both of them. Karlee’s bars are the only piece I don’t like on her’s so each bike has something I’m not keen on

  14. 14 BobS Dec 12th, 2014 at 12:56 pm

    Wow, I’ve always been a Klock Werks fan, never been a Dirty Bird fan so this comes as a surprise to me. I love the blue one.

  15. 15 rebel Dec 12th, 2014 at 1:54 pm

    blue ones the best thing he’s ever done IMHO

  16. 16 Johnyletgo Dec 12th, 2014 at 2:30 pm

    When the Scout was shown for the 1st time in Sturgis I wondered why it was not equipped with a small fairing. The blue Scout demonstrates that the bike looks much better with one. The blue Scout is the easy winner.

  17. 17 P.atrick Myers Dec 12th, 2014 at 3:36 pm

    Karlee. The lesson is that when customizing a factory bike with “heritage” you should not go in the opposite direction of what is its “heritage” The Scout has never been a chopper nor a bobber. Its DNA can be summarized in 1 word. Sport. Building a bike from the ground up with the Scout powerplant would be a different story. In that case, you could build whatever you want to build. Freestyle. I understand it’s a first try for you. No reason to get discouraged.

  18. 18 Dante Dec 12th, 2014 at 4:34 pm

    Both bikes look amazing in my opinion and if I had to pick one to take home, it would definitely be the Klockwerks bike.

  19. 19 Stephen Dec 12th, 2014 at 5:48 pm

    I think the point of this exercise is to show what could be done with the Scout and to get folks thinking what they might do. Of the two I prefer the Clock Werks bike even though I’m not shook on the rear fender or the colour.

  20. 20 18bravo Dec 12th, 2014 at 7:38 pm

    Both are nice, although i prefer the blue one better. Can’t handle the bars on the other. And fake holes? Bust out the hole cutting die (dimple die even better) and cut some real holes if that’s the look you’re going for.

  21. 21 Pop Dec 13th, 2014 at 6:12 am

    Apples and oranges.

    One machine is a design exercise and the other is a promotional for DIY but it’s clear that the crowd sentiment favors the design refined bike.

    I doubt that enthusiasm would be so pronounced after a couple of hours in the saddle.

    For me the color choices for either detract. I’m bored with wheel treatments but at least neither went to ridiculous extremes..The blue bike reflects the efforts of a mature builder. It’s been said a bazillion times about pro built customs. Looks sweet but I couldn’t ride it.The Klockwerks bike reflects a different agenda. If your mantra is that you are creating a bike that shows what a backyard build can look like then the result will very likely be something like this.

  22. 22 Johnny G Dec 13th, 2014 at 9:23 am

    Customize a scout all you want . There is nothing anyone can do to make that motor look right . First time I saw it I mistook it for a cut away motor . Then I realized that was the look they were shooting for . Chief motor is a prize . Wouldn’t want a Scout if it were free . Jg

  23. 23 Tom Ryan Dec 13th, 2014 at 1:15 pm

    I feel Karlee did a pretty good job. As a personal preference I would possibly make three changes though. Firstly, because of the size of the bike I would add slightly larger diameter bars and increase their width at the bottom. Secondly, the rear fender should be closer matched to the front fender. Thirdly, I might want to try some variations of 2 into 2 exhausts like the Thunderike Customs Jekill&Hyde pipes or even 2 into 2 styles of slightly up swept pipes. Good luck with your next project Karlee!

  24. 24 Drew Dec 13th, 2014 at 1:32 pm

    Always enjoy reading everyone’s opinion, because theirs represents the facts…….at least until the next person posts. 😉 If not for these two variations to get the Scout custom ball rolling all there would be to discuss is which color do you like.

  25. 25 SIGFREED Dec 13th, 2014 at 2:41 pm

    Instead of a smug comment – here what I would do with the Polaris Scout,

    sigfreedindianscout.blogspot.com

  26. 26 Iron Horse Dec 13th, 2014 at 3:33 pm

    John Shope really hit the nail on the head with this one. I haven’t personally cared for most of his creations, but this one is good.

    I like bits and pieces of the bike Karlee built, but like most posting here, I think the handlebars missed the mark with the design of the rest of the bike. I do really like the pipes though. They would be a great addition to a factory Scout.

  27. 27 Doc Robinson Dec 13th, 2014 at 6:43 pm

    Karlee Cobb you rock! And you totally achieved your stated goal to, “build a bike that a decent home mechanic could build”. Ignore the naysayers and the armchair critics, you did it girl and have every right to be proud as punch.

  28. 28 LowriderLarry Dec 13th, 2014 at 8:14 pm

    Agree with u Doc. Karlee Cobb’s bike has much more character and in fact I like the handle bars. At least something different. Well done!

  29. 29 1550tc Dec 14th, 2014 at 5:18 pm

    Gotta love all the Tupperware plastic parts guys are coming up with

  30. 30 karlee cobb-klock werks Dec 15th, 2014 at 11:15 am

    I just wanted to Thank everyone for their support to myself, Indian Motorcycles, John, and Klock Werks. All of this feedback is just what I need to hear as a up and coming builder!
    I will throw out there that I have made changes to the bike since these pictures were taken in that I altered the rear fender paint design. I desire to be constantly learning.
    Thanks to Indian Motorcycles for the opportunity to show what our age kids are in to, to Cyril for the opportunity for people to discuss the designs openly, and the unveil at theprogessive NYC International Motorcycle Show was amazing!!!

  31. 31 Rob Dec 15th, 2014 at 7:48 pm

    Radiator/ no fins = automobile motor.

  32. 32 Chad Fergen Dec 15th, 2014 at 7:52 pm

    Keep doing what your doing Karlee. Looks great!

  33. 33 Blackmax Dec 17th, 2014 at 6:56 pm

    I like the looks of BOTH bikes !!!
    Good to see John Shope do something other than a Bagger and one damn fine effort too !!!
    But I like Karlee’s bike too !!!
    A bit “avent-garde” but it’s her vision & I have the utmost respect for that .
    Would be proud to have either (or both) in my garage

  34. 34 KEITH Feb 27th, 2015 at 4:25 pm

    just wish mine was in may garage, Slope has hit what i like, pipe is awesome and nice paint job with the water cooler, just wish i could get mine from the factory. it will be last years model as slow as they are turning them out

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Cyril Huze