Utilizing the new Indian® Chieftain Dark Horse® motorcycle, Hollister Powersports of Hollister, Calif., created this custom Bagger with modifications that would be easy to perform for any owner who wants to recreate this type of look. “When I saw the bike, I knew right away that it had a ton of potential to customize,” says Rey Sotelo, General Manager of Hollister Powersports. “We were inspired by the history of Hollister and how this great American town is coming back from an unfair bad reputation. We stayed with the matte black theme and used as many Authentic Indian Motorcycle accessories as we could because we wanted the weekend mechanic to be able to recreate something as badass as our custom. Radical customs certainly draw the eye – but we wanted to keep the bike rideable every day.”
“We wanted to put a 21-inch wheel on it so we chose an option from RC Components,” Sotelo continued. “We liked the aluminum accents on RC’s Raider Eclipse wheel, and knew it would tie in with the paint job and the brushed finish on the motor.” Hollister trimmed the stock fender to reveal more of the custom wheel and lighten the overall look of the bike. The fender skirts were cut back and the caliper covers were removed, dramatically changing the front profile of the motorcycle. The fairing is stock, but painted with speed scallops that tie in with the front fender, tank, side panels and saddlebags. The scallops are painted on the rear fender as well, so even if the saddlebags are pulled off the speed scallops theme still plays throughout the bike.
“We installed the 14-inch accessory Indian Motorcycle Ape-Hangers, but painted them matte black,” Sotelo says. “The kit includes a longer clutch cable, and the brake cable and wiring are long enough so no modifications are needed, which makes it really easy for the weekend mechanic to install.” The engine jugs remain as they did when they left the factory, but Hollister put a little matte paint on the otherwise gloss side covers and added highlighting to the ‘Indian’ script on the air-cleaner in matte silver to stand out.
To add even more style, authentic Indian Motorcycle billet floorboards were added. The stock seat, which comes with white stitching, was re-covered using black stitching. While the seat’s studs are normally chrome, Hollister had its upholsterer brush them to give the look of a stainless steel finish.
Out back, a pair of turn signals were incorporated into the saddlebags to further visually lighten the bike. “We played with different lights, but we just really liked the look of these,” Sotelo says, “so we frenched them into the bags and matted the taillight out.” The saddlebags also received 100-watt Authentic Indian Motorcycle speakers to boost output of the already powerful audio system. Finally, sticking out from beneath the saddlebags, a blacked out Indian Motorcycle Stage 1 slip-on exhaust with brushed billet tips was installed to offer a snappier throttle response and more bark to the already potent Thunder Stroke 111 engine.
Ultimately, any owner of an Indian Chieftain Dark Horse could achieve the look of the The Redeemer with the availability of more than 300 Chieftain and 150 blacked out Authentic Indian Motorcycle® Accessories and light some custom work.
Gorgeous dealer custom…
nice front fender.
Interesting use of Kuryakyn’s Sabertooth Saddlebag accents
Very, very nice.
That front fender looks a thousand times better than the stock version
Proof that all black is a little bit nicer with a little bit less black…
Nicely done. If preferred; the gray painted areas would also look great in red. Something about red on a black (or dark in general) background just works.
I agree with the folks above…the front fender looks great. Overall bike looks great.
If Indian really wanted to take a bite out of HD, offer a trimmed fender option for the folks who dont’ really care for the classic Indian. I think they would really start pulling eyeballs away from HD.
I wonder if they are looking at doing a frame-mounted fairing Indian.
Probably the best Indian Dark Horse done so far.
Finally the front fender is gone 🙂
now just cut 3 inches off the front and back the ole Piute back a few inches and light him up with LED
NICE BIKE 🙂
I’m with 1550tc. The fender is gone. That style is also NOT good for any high speed. They may cause the wobbles. HD leaned that in the wind tunnel with a Sportster front fender. They may look cool but not so at high speed.
Love it. Much better than the stock version.
Good job on the fender, and the paint accents give the bike a sweeter line than the stock.
Excellent
I have to disagree with the folks that say “remove or scale back the front fender”. Then you’ve basically got a Street Glide. Come on people different is a good thing…
Needs a smaller air cleaner cover and sme of that plastic behind the engine needs to be cut back. I wanna see the engine!
It’s a great bagger. Congrats to the builder.
A skinny front tire on a Bagger is just wrong.
Nicely done.
I’m not a big fan of scallops, but they look right on this bike and the two matte finishes work well together.
Nice bike, looks comfortable. Hope it handles better than my bike when I had a 21″, that thing sucked.
Nice bike, love the front fender/wheel combo and it looks pretty comfortable.
Well done. All comments say it all.
Big fenders cause wobbles? Had my Chieftain over 100 many times without a Harley wobble, so, no…and this custom ruins the look of Indian. The big fender is the apeal.I’m a fan because Indian doesn’t look like another Harley. The motor is different, the build is different. Stop trying to customize it to make it look like a Harley.
Even being black, it’s probably the best looking Indian I’ve seen so far..compliments
Saw it on Facebook
Damn fine lookin bike
I’d buy it !!!
Very nice job. I’m impressed by how much the paint work has helped break up the horrible look of the plastic side covers under the seat which has always bugged me with these Indians. That area almost looks acceptable on this bike.
Saw this in person at he Quail Meadow Gathering last Saturday. Looked great to me, and I like the traditional fender. I overheard many positive comments about the custom fender and the paint. I personally think the black valve covers look better on the the engine.