The Three Winners Of The Dealer “Project Chieftain” Custom Bagger Contest

During Daytona Bike week Indian Motorcycle® announced the three winners of its Project Chieftain custom motorcycle contest. Hollister Powersports in Hollister, CA “Tequila Sunset” claimed top honors (top picture), with “America Proud” from Coastal Indian Motorcycle in Murrels Inlet, SC (middle picture) and “Barnstorm” from Indian Motorcycle of Central Massachusetts in Worcester, MA (bottom picture) taking 2nd and 3rd place honors respectively.

Project Chieftain’ kicked off on October 10, 2016, with the entry period closing on January 13, 2017. Fans voted online for eleven finalists during a two-week period from February 1-15, and the three winning bikes were on display during Daytona Bike Week. The dealers took home cash prizes of $20,000 for first place, $10,000 for second place and $5,000 for third place.

Tequila Sunset, the winning motorcycle designed by Hollister Powersports of Hollister, Calif., features the following modifications: a 23” custom front wheel, stretched front fender, raked triple trees, custom gold metallic paint, custom made side covers, custom made air cleaners, and frenched in turn signals in the saddle bags.

American Proud, the second place winner designed by Coastal Indian Motorcycle of Murrells Inlet, S.C., honors the American men and women that created Indian in 1901 and recognizes the team that resurrected the brand. It also pays homage to the service men and women that protect our freedoms.

Barnstorm, the third place winner designed by Indian Motorcycle of Central Mass., was modified to elevate the aspects of Chieftain performance. Power output was increased with Indian Motorcycle performance cams, intake and a handmade stainless exhaust. Those modifications, paired with aggressive styling and stunt-inspired bars and controls bring the bike to an unprecedented level of power, agility and aesthetics.

Following the success of the 2016 ‘Project Scout’ build contest, Indian renewed the competition for 2017, this time focusing on its popular hard bagger, the Indian Chieftain. The three-month contest invited Indian Motorcycle dealers to build a custom Indian Chieftain® or Chieftain Dark Horse® model using any theme, style or budget, as long as it incorporated at least three authentic Indian Motorcycle accessories.

Project Chieftain’ kicked off on October 10, 2016, with the entry period closing on January 13, 2017. Fans voted online for eleven finalists during a two-week period from February 1-15, and the three winning bikes were on display during Daytona Bike Week. The dealers took home cash prizes of $20,000 for first place, $10,000 for second place and $5,000 for third place.

 

7 Responses to “The Three Winners Of The Dealer “Project Chieftain” Custom Bagger Contest”


  1. 1 grabyerwallet Mar 22nd, 2017 at 9:01 am

    So gaudy paint jobs and a set of wheels now constitutes a bike being a ‘ custom ‘ ?

  2. 2 BOSS HAWG Mar 22nd, 2017 at 10:41 am

    GREAT looking bikes! All 3 are unique.

    Job well done! They all deserve 1st place.

    Boss Hawg

  3. 3 BobS Mar 22nd, 2017 at 11:12 am

    1st place Harley imitation. 2nd place gratuitous exploitation of the American flag. 3rd place an audition for the next Transformers movie. Apparently we have to go to Europe or Asia to find any real creativity and ingenuity.

  4. 4 CKH Mar 22nd, 2017 at 12:55 pm

    I have respect for all custom bike builders, even though they may build a bike I don’t want. What I’m looking for is the radical customs, like a chopper or ground up build. My advice to Indian is to come out with a stripped down Chief, like how Harley made the first Super Glide!

  5. 5 gtrjoe Mar 22nd, 2017 at 6:38 pm

    So many “winers” (soon, the victory people will chime in too)

    Urban Dictionary:
    winer (plu. winers)… or to wine (verb)

    One who whines and dines; typically drinking cheap red wine out of a bag-in-box (for example Monsieur Rouge)

    Great looking bikes that really catch the spirit of custom!! Great job by all.

  6. 6 Sheridan Mar 22nd, 2017 at 7:28 pm

    I don’t like Baggers and not the biggest fan of these new Indians (as much as I try to like them), but I have to admit that first bike does look good and seems to be the worthy winner.

    I also agree with CKH, really want to see more stripped down customs or even Choppers based off this bike. Admittedly not easy with such an ugly frame as the base.

  7. 7 RUB Mar 22nd, 2017 at 11:31 pm

    do not like the bigger front wheel with that classic Indian fender , just doesn’t look right . Nice bikes over all .

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Cyril Huze