Workhorse Speed Shop and Brice Hennebert are famed names in the custom motorcycling scene. Brice is known for his wicked and unique creations based on Indian Motorcycles. His most famous works include drag-spec Indian Scouts called the Appaloosa and Appaloosa 2. These machines look straight out of an anime, and we think that even Kaneda from Akira will take a dig on these!
This Belgium-based custom house's latest creation is based on an Indian FTR 1200 and brings 1980s coolness and motorsport spirit into one vibrant picture. Called the FTR AMA, this custom Indian is inspired mostly by AMA endurance racing bikes of the era. Apart from the handlebar and engine, nothing on this bike is stock. The fact that all the body panels have been 3D-printed to perfection, makes this one special build by Brice.
A little of the Lancia Delta HF here, a little of the Bol d'Or 750S muscle there, and loads of 80s racing appeal. That's how this cool 80s-vibing Indian FTR AMA by Workhorse Speed Shop was crafted into reality.
Throwback Creation With A Splash Of 80s Motorsports By The Fabled Brice Hennebert
The Indian FTR AMA is a commissioned work for a very eccentric customer. And Brice Hennebert is the main man behind this interesting project. The brief that he received from the commissioner was to make something colorful and sharp, akin to a war tank. And he was specified to go for the Martini Racing livery, which fared out quite well.
After a bit of brainstorming, Hennebert decided to fuse the motorsport spirit of the 80s. He took inspiration from the AMA SBK racing bikes and rally cars of the golden era. His main motivators were the Lancia Delta HF and the Bol d'Or 750s. This work might be sore for some eyes, but you should give it to the magician for transforming an Indian FTR 1200 into something out of an anime.
There's Very Little To Call "Stock" On What Used To Be An Indian FTR 1200
It is impressive how custom shops can transform motorcycles into whole new beings. The FTR AMA is still the hoonigalistic Indian FTR 1200 at heart. The frame and the engine are where the similarities with the stock bike end. Performance sure sees a notable bump because Hennebert and his team have treated this throwback build to a slew of mods.
The liquid-cooled 1,203cc V-twin motor gets a custom stainless steel pie-cut exhaust system with modified S&S Cycle Grand National slip-ons. Going along with the new exhaust system are a 3D-printed intake system, DNA performance air filter, and a custom Setrab oil cooler. While the custom shop has not shed light on the performance figures, we are sure that it goes well above the stock 123 hp and 87 lb-ft of torque.
Custom-Made Mechanical Components For A Race-Inspired Machine
The level of retro details infused into this build is drool-worthy. The chassis plates have been redesigned for a sportier look. These were done by Vinco Racing in Holland using Brice's CAD designs. The dudes at Vinco Racing also took it upon themselves to machine the swingarm components, braking brackets, yokes, and fuel cell components.
The front fork yokes are replicas from Bol d'Or 750cc race machines and have been cleverly adapted to modern 43mm Ohlins forks. The rear suspension setup comprises twin piggyback Ohlins shocks. The cool-looking swingarm is built from 7020 aluminum tubes and was also inspired by the AMA racing machines of the 80s. Those classic non-slotted disc rotors are a work of art by Beringer Brakes. These brakes are the same ones that were used by Brice on his Appaloosa custom motorcycle.
To get around with omitting the ABS module and showcasing the speed, Brice used a Motogadget Moto Scope Mini tucked away nicely above the digital instrument cluster from an Indian Chief. The wheels are a sight to behold. These were created in Italy by JoNich Wheels and the design is inspired by the turbofans used on the Lancia Delta HF. These billet aluminum machines rims are wrapped with Dunlop GP tires with the rear flaunting thick 200 sections.
This Cool Custom FTR Gets 3D-Printed Parts Reinforced With Carbon Fiber
All the body panels of this custom bike were created digitally and 3D-printed to perfection. Brice wanted to retain the stock rider's triangle from the FTR 1200 and so the footpegs and handle-bar were carried over. The cool Martini livery-infused paint job was designed by Japan-based Axecent and brushed to reality back in Belgium. Adding more pop to the package is the bright yellow 3D-printed front plate that houses a PiAA race light and neatly tucks the Setrab oil cooler and the instrument cluster setup that includes the stock unit from the new Indian Chief and the custom Motogadget Moto Scope Mini.
The seat module also comes with a battery holder at the rear (an ode to the endurance bikes of the 80s). The swooped and brushed leather seat was made by Silver Machine, a long-time collaborator for Workhorse Speed Shop. The shot rear end is highlighted by an old-school tail lamp housing that packs LEDs. Also, Brice had to split the fuel tank into two to pack it into the new slimmer body. It now gets two aluminum fuel cells - one under the tank and the other hung under the seat, adding to a total of the original 3.4 gallons.
Hennebert Has A Black Swan In The Making To Go Along With The FTR AMA
The FTR project was commissioned to Brice by two brothers. While we are treated to the FTR AMA, another project called the Black Swan is underway. It is also based on an FTR 1200 but no other details of the design or inspiration are out. By the naming situation, we believe it to be a murdered-out naked machine.
Sources: Indianmotorcycle.media, Rideapart.com, Ridermagazine.com, Hiconsumption.com