Indian Cafe Custom

[LowRyter]

Maybe we'll see some cool American bikes soon?  Harley is showing the Street Fighter and Indian has the new Street Tracker.  Here's a cool custom. The builder used a lot of GSX-R parts in it.



https://www.indianmotorcycle.com/en-us/the-wrench/pj-grakauskas/

[LowRyter]

Lifestyle
Indian Unveils Final Builds from "The Wrench" at Sturgis
RideApart  RideApart Staff,RideApart Mon, Aug 6 3:39 PM CDT
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Indian Unveils Final Builds from "The Wrench" at Sturgis
Final Fan Vote to Determine $10,000 Grand Prize Winner of National Custom Motorcycle Competition
Sturgis is in full swing and everything is nuts up there in South Dakota. Among all the hustle and bustle, Indian announced the top three finalists of its "The Wrench:Scout Bobber Build Off". Would you like to know more? Of course you would.

CHECK OUT: UPDATE: Indian Reveals 3 Finalists for The Wrench Build Off
Press Release Follows

Indian Motorcycle unveiled its final three custom builds from The Wrench: Scout Bobber Build Off at the legendary Buffalo Chip during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The national custom motorcycle competition, which was designed to spotlight non-professional builders who wrench for the passion and not the pay, awarded three finalists with a 2018 Indian Scout Bobber and a $10,000 build budget. Each builder had three months to turn their stock motorcycle in to one-off works of custom motorcycle art.

A judging panel of professional builders and experts, including Roland Sands, Satya Kraus, Jason Paul Michaels and Hot Bike Editor-in-Chief Jordan Mastagni selected 12 semi-finalists from more than 100 submissions. Each semi-finalist was showcased online for a fan vote to determine the three finalists. After viewing sketches and renderings, the fan-favorites that arose included a NASA engineer from Las Cruces, NM, an OSHA safety inspector from Avon, OH, and a mechanical engineer from Buffalo, NY.

CHECK OUT: Indian Motorcycle Goes Badass With New Scout Bobber
“These builders blew us away with their commitment to the program, their build and overall finished product,” said Reid Wilson, Senior Director for Indian Motorcycle. “Each one of them made significant sacrifices and adjustments to their daily lives. They put in countless hours, long nights and a ton of work to meet the deadline. We cannot thank them enough for their time, energy and investment into the program.”

The three finished Scout Bobber custom motorcycles are currently showcased on IndianMotorcycle.co m. Fans have until August 16th to vote for their favorite and help select the grand prize winner, who will be announced via social media on August 21st.

CHECK OUT: Watch: A Peek Behind Indian's Curtain
The following provides further detail on each builder, their inspiration and statement, as well as a comprehensive list of specs and modifications for their build.

CUSTOMIZER: PJ Grakauskas – Age 39 | Avon, OH
PJ with his black and gold racer.
PJ with his black and gold racer.
PJ is a family man from Ohio working as a safety inspector for OSHA, but it’s inside the shed in his backyard where his real passions are fed. With several polished and refined café racers under his belt, the Scout Bobber was a totally unique platform for him.

INSPIRATION:
Growing up on two wheels and hanging around racetracks and garages most of his childhood, PJ wanted to pay homage to his past and the riders he looked up to. Highlighted by its handmade full fairing, his build is inspired by vintage racing with a modern performance sensibility.

That old-school logo looks great in gold.
That old-school logo looks great in gold.
MODIFICATIONS:

• Custom knee indented Scout tank- Raw Iron Choppers (Jesse Srpan)
• Custom handmade fiberglass molded full fairing with belly pan• Custom quick release brackets for full fairing• 2007 GSXR front end• Cognito Moto offset triple trees (50mm)• Cognito Moto front fender• Front 18” Sun Rim with stainless spokes wheel with Cognito Moto hub for GSXR setup• Rear 18” Sun Rim with stainless spokes laced to Indian Motorcycle accessory available hub• Chain conversion (530 Gold)• Joker Machine front drive sprocket cover• Woodcraft clip-ons with Avon grips• Relocated and modified stock foot controls to rear• Custom low-profile café style seat with upholstery (New Church Moto)• 12” rear Ohlins suspension• Custom 2-1 exhaust with SuperTrapp aluminum race muffler• Beringer complete brake system front and rear, including Aerotech calipers and master cylinders in gold• Pirelli Sport Demon tires• Zipper’s intake• DynoJet Power Commander• Analog Motorcycles rear light and mini LED signals• Powder coated bits (6th City Customs in Cleveland)• Custom paint and body work (Kacey Elkins of Krossover Kustoms in Lancaster, KY)

BUILDER STATEMENT:
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be building a custom motorcycle for such a great company with a storied history. It’s an honor and a privilege to represent us little guys working in their small garages and sheds. I am truly humbled by the whole experience. So many thanks need to go out to so many friends and family, but most importantly my supportive wife, Lauren! Looking forward to putting a ton of miles on this fun machine.”

https://www.yahoo.com/news/indian-unveils-final-builds-wrench-203912566.html


(I didn't post the other two bikes which were a Bobber and a Chopper. )

[JJ]

That Cafe Racer is really nice looking!!

[Guzzistajohn]

I think I just spotted myself.

[steven c]

 That is sweet. The Scout was the original Indian's sport bike back in the day.

[Turin]

That's pretty sharp.

[LowRyter]

it's hard for me to understand why Indian and Harley have good platforms to build a sporty or at least a "standard" motorcycle and have been devoted 100% to styling vs function.   I mean some frame and geometry mods, mid mounts and suspension changes and they can appeal to a whole new group of riders.

This guy had a budget of ten $ grand to basically build a prototype out of GSXR parts.  Obviously, Indian could build a bike for peanuts for the additional cost.  Instead they've built 5 or 6 different trim versions of the same bobber.

It looks like the Motor Co and Indian are coming out with some sportier machines but you have to wonder why it took so long?

[twowheeladdict]

Blah.  I have had fully faired bikes and what a PITA to do simple maintenance.  Also limit air flow during the warm months in the southeast.  I am really enjoying the V7 and being back in the wind.

[DorsetBlue]

it's hard for me to understand why Indian and Harley have good platforms to build a sporty or at least a "standard" motorcycle and have been devoted 100% to styling vs function.   I mean some frame and geometry mods, mid mounts and suspension changes and they can appeal to a whole new group of riders.

This guy had a budget of ten $ grand to basically build a prototype out of GSXR parts.  Obviously, Indian could build a bike for peanuts for the additional cost.  Instead they've built 5 or 6 different trim versions of the same bobber.

It looks like the Motor Co and Indian are coming out with some sportier machines but you have to wonder why it took so long?

Victory was the sport/modern Polaris brand....they killed it off (the Indian Scout started as the Victory Octane - not the other way around, like Polaris try to say).

[Guzzistajohn]

Blah.  I have had fully faired bikes and what a PITA to do simple maintenance.  Also limit air flow during the warm months in the southeast.  I am really enjoying the V7 and being back in the wind.

Suprised a V7 has enough balls to get anyone in the wind 

[LowRyter]

 

 

[twowheeladdict]

Suprised a V7 has enough balls to get anyone in the wind 

I am fortunate to live and ride on empty curvy roads.  I don't have to prove anything to anyone, and I ride 'the Pace' so I don't need to race to the next curve and brake hard.  My buddy on his zx10r never gets above 2nd gear, but he has his Male ego bike.

[LowRyter]

Victory was the sport/modern Polaris brand....they killed it off (the Indian Scout started as the Victory Octane - not the other way around, like Polaris try to say).

Victory, sport/modern?  I suppose, at least they had radical styling.  I don't think that Victory would be sporty at any level.  In fact, Indian and Victory bikes ride very much alike without relying on any shared drive trains (other that the aforementioned Scout/Octane).  The Scout platform is an opportunity with little associated costs, other than marketing. 

[leroysch]

Don't really see what those lowers add to the bike. The exhaust looks gorgeous. The upper fairing looks...promising.. ..but I'm not willing to rule out a front view may show that its the worst styling element...like their dressers.
In any event, lacking that indian head farkle on the front fender....no sale!

[redrider90]

I do not see an Indian looking at that bike. I see a fully faired Motorcycle. Where is the engine? That could be any bike in the world except if it was a Goose the jugs would be sticking out.

[LowRyter]

Don't really see what those lowers add to the bike. The exhaust looks gorgeous. The upper fairing looks...promising.. ..but I'm not willing to rule out a front view may show that its the worst styling element...like their dressers.
In any event, lacking that indian head farkle on the front fender....no sale!

Leroy, you can get one for $55 from J&P.  It will look GREAT on your LeMans

[Devildog]

the design doesn't work for me. Disjointed, especially the seat and tail. Compare it to Guzzi's best Cafe-Sport design.

[twowings]

That IS a fine-looking bike! Hats off to the builder...

[Guzzistajohn]

the design doesn't work for me. Disjointed, especially the seat and tail. Compare it to Guzzi's best Cafe-Sport design.

I agree Devildog but all bikes can’t be that cool. I like the looks of a LeMans better, but I’ve also heard those Indians run WFO in AMA flat track. I’m tellin ya, that’s a running machine

[rschrum]

It's a Daytona.

[DorsetBlue]

Victory, sport/modern?  I suppose, at least they had radical styling.  I don't think that Victory would be sporty at any level.  In fact, Indian and Victory bikes ride very much alike without relying on any shared drive trains (other that the aforementioned Scout/Octane).  The Scout platform is an opportunity with little associated costs, other than marketing.

Modern/Sporty for custom style bikes.  However, there was more sporty stuff on the way:

TT Zero Racer - based on Brammo technology


Project 156 Pikes Peak Racer - based on the Octane/Scout platform

[Huzo]

I agree Devildog but all bikes can�t be that cool. I like the looks of a LeMans better, but I�ve also heard those Indians run WFO in AMA flat track. I�m tellin ya, that�s a running machine

Parts bin pox.

[LowRyter]

Parts bin pox.

[Guzzistajohn]

Thanks for the giggle John......if that rig is 1/2 of Jared Meese's bike, it would be a blast in the Ozarks twistees!

[LowRyter]

Thanks John.  I don't think anyone on a Guzzi should dis "parts bin" bike.

[Huzo]

Thanks John.  I don't think anyone on a Guzzi should dis "parts bin" bike.

Well no..
But the styling is telling three different stories at once.
Looks nicely cobbled together though. Reminds me of a casserole I had once made of actual road kill.
Looked and tasted like absolute shit...
But well cooked...!

[Paul Brooking]

Well no..
But the styling is telling three different stories at once.
Looks nicely cobbled together though. Reminds me of a casserole I had once made of actual road kill.
Looked and tasted like absolute shit...
But well cooked...!

you can cook???? 

[Huzo]

you can cook???? 

No, but you bloody well can..!

[Paul Brooking]

No, but you bloody well can..!

LOL

[Huzo]

LOL

Next time we piss off somewhere, I'll hang some raw snags on the back of the Stelvio and they'll be cooked when we get there..!
Just a nice after taste of burning Whiskey.
Is there a Copperhead Road in South Oz ?