Indian Motorcycle’s first ever global “Custom Scout Dealer Contest” was a superb opportunity for 36 official dealers around the world to show their passion for the brand they represent, and to demonstrate to their clients the design and fabrication skills of their respective teams. In Bordeaux, France, world’s major wine industry capital, V-Twin Garage is both a Harley specialist, one of the 1st Polaris dealers in the country (Victory & Indian) and the epicenter of a very active custom scene that V-Twin Garage’s owner Dominique Mariaulle feeds with the production of very cool customs.
This only 4-week labor Indian Scout project may have been a little bit more special for Dominique than for the other dealers belonging to the competition. The reason? I know no other European than him in the industry who has more passion and knowledge of the USA and of course of its motorcycle history. Dominique rode several times both US coasts and many oblique highways between them. His dealership, that I have visited, is filled with Americana memorabilia that he didn’t find in his native country but that he personally selected in the US, first verifying authenticity, then importing them piece per piece to decorate all his workspace. Well, I suggest all Americans bikers visiting the famous Bordeaux vineyards to stop by his place if they would feel homesick…
Back to the Tomahawk, this stellar only 4-week job fully performed in-house, except seat and paint, is a great design reference and offers a great parts guide for anyone wishing to customize his or her Scout, either step by step, or in full to look like a very high end custom. Except narrowing the gas tank (but still retaining oem capacity), then going from forward controls to a rear set, then swapping the belt final drive for a chain with custom made sprocket and adapting and modifying some brackets (all tasks requiring expertise), Dominique and his 4 technicians succeeded in building a very beautiful and sharp sled using only the best custom parts from Indian and from the best aftermarket vendors. The result looks like a one-off creation and leaves intact the very reliable Indian’s powertrain.
With this Tomahawk Scout project, V-Twin Garage did for you the difficult job of chopping, cutting, adapting, of hunting and fitting what works and looks right on a Scout. Interested in doing your own version? Your parts shopping list is below. And of course, for the locals. Dominique and his technicians will be happy to help you with the parts or do the job for you. With a bonus: if you mention my name he may even offer you a glass of a Bordeaux St Emilion wine in his shop’s fifties diner while you watch an old classic black & white movie on an old American TV set. The best of both worlds. V-Twin Garage Bordeaux (photos @ Alain Sauquet for Cyril Huze)
Tomahawk Indian Scout Features
– Fuel tank is narrowed while still retaining fuel capacity
– Dual backbone frame converted to single
– Front fender. Custom.
– Throttle by wire converted to cable for handlebar internal throttle control
– Left side intake with handcrafted new manifold
– Left side air cleaner back plate
– Left side relocated throttle body
– Full metal combined seat/fender tail section
– Chain conversion with in-house made drive sprocket
– Electrical wiring
– OEM Foot controls relocated to rear position
– Frame and front fork sliders surfaces smoothed to gloss
– Sprocket cover
– Upper triple tee
Parts from the INDIAN accessories catalog among 200 items (a minimum of 3 must be used)
– 2880728-468 black war bonnet toe peg (2)
– 2880106-266 script black pegs
– 2881188-156 clutch linkage cover
– 2881186-156 fender washers
Third parties general purpose parts adapted to the 1200 INDIAN SCOUT TOMAHAWK
– Wheels from ARLEN NESS
– Hand controls from ROLAND SANDS
– Cable internal throttle control from MULLER
– Handlebar (clip-on) from ROLAND SANDS
– Rear sprocket from ROLAND SANDS
– Brakes from BERINGER
– Air cleaner from JOKER MACHINE
– Mirror from JAY BRAKE
– Lighting from PAASCHBURG, LED tail-brake-turn signal (3 in 1) E-marked
– Digital Motoscope Mini from MOTOGADGET (multifunction speedo-tach)
– Push button controls from MOTOGADGET
– Flush pop up gas cap from MATT HOTCH DESIGNS
– Tires from AVON
– Struts from BILTWELL INC.
– Exhaust from VANCE & HINES
– Battery from BALLISTIC
– Chain from ThreeD (black-gold)
So far the best ever seen modified Indian Scout
This is starting to feel like an Indian/Victory blog. Plus that exhaust looks like it’d scrape on every right hander you take.
Again. This would sell. Why the Octane is not closer to this concept is beyond me.
Maybe the best looking water cooled engine in motorcycling today.
Tank you so much Cyril for your expert judjment of our 1000+ labor hours and very deep passion for American motorcycles. As we have some more custom bike projects, the unique TOMAHAWK is on sale from now, obviously we don’t expect the true cost……..but best offer is welcome.
Really nice look. Needs a chain guard.
The ergonomics are not, shall we say, user friendly. Riding with your feet fold-up well behind the severely bent knees for any length of time is akin to self-flagellation. Ploink!
Absolutely superb.
Why this Scout is not painted Bordeaux color? Just kidding. It’s a great job and an excellent promo for the Scout.
With the one of Dodge published last week, the best custom Scout I have seen.
Beautiful bike Dominique. Your styling ques should be implemented on a production model. Best. Later Jay
The tech sheet is going to inspire many. It’s beautiful.
I voted for this one ….fantastic job!
The trick seems to be: remove a load of ugly to discover a pearl!
Well done!
Beautiful! This should be Indian’s next model.
What a great bike. I even forgot about the radiator…
For sure I want it. But I am certain it’s not in my budget. Far from it. Congrats for building such a beauty.
I see myself riding this one.
Nicely done.
Too bad it has to have a radiator….
At least the rubber-band is gone.
-nicker-
This one is my favorite so far. The black color does best to hide that ugly radiator.
Someone please invent a hidden (perhaps fan cooled) radiator if we must go down that road… I have never seen a factory installed radiator on a production bike of any brand that looked good.
This was my favorite of the bunch with the Boardtracker a close second. Voted for this one many times 🙂
Lift it ~ 3″ and its closer to what I have in mind:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/250864641720714557/
Josh Brady Mar 14th, 2016 at 1:23 pm
For sure I want it. But I am certain it’s not in my budget. Far from it. Congrats for building such a beauty.
Probably right on this one-off, Josh. But, if Indian built it using those specs, maybe it would be. They really should consider something along these lines and not let Victory steal their thunder with models like the Octane.
Good looking bike
+1
I voted for it but if it were mine, I’d give it more ground clearance and better suspension otherwise I’d be grinding expensive bits into expensive dust in the corners.
I thought Karlee had a nice Indian until I saw this exceptional bike. However, the foot pegs may have to be mid or forward mounted for the older riders.
Am I the only who feels like this bike is screaming out for some hefty upside-down forks? Those fork tubes look like came off of a XS650!