Never perfect, always great. It’s a motto commonly used by Nicolai Sclater, the artist better known as Ornamental Conifers. And it sits perfectly next to this chief Indian bonkers racer.
Dubbed the ‘R/T Four Thirteen’, this eclectic machine is the result of a collaboration between DicE Magazine and Indian Motorcycle, with Noise Cycles, Hindes Design and Ornamental Conifer all working together to create it. The idea of turning a cruiser into a cafe racer is a small field on the left and probably shouldn’t be. But it’s also great.
The project kicked off with a brand new Indian Chief Dark Horse, model 2022, in the hands of DicE co-founders Dean Micetech and Scott Jones at noise cycle. The car was dismantled at Scott’s shop and concepts were sketched. The original plan was for Scott to handle both design and fabrication, but unfortunately, he had to stop the project midway through due to personal reasons.
Tactical change, team begins Zach Hindes to take over the next stage. An accomplished builder, Zach was one of the founding brothers of Prism Supply Co., and a member of the NASCAR championship-winning team, Joe Gibbs Racing. So the bike was in capable hands.
With the bike in the Hindes Design workshop, Dean and Zach began rethinking building. The idea of combining café racer and Endurance Racer concepts to create a race-focused V-twin remains, but Zach also has some new ideas in mind. He explained: “The form and function of this motorcycle are very important to this build.
“Myself and my team at Hindes Design both have a racing background, so we understand the challenge ahead and approach it with that mindset. We wanted to find the perfect combination between a vintage-inspired sports bike and a modern sport bike. Something that stands the test of time, yet handled to the best of its ability.”
One of Zach’s most ambitious ideas was to convert the rear end of the Indian cruiser from a twin suspension setup to a single shock. To this end, he built a new subframe that will also double as a sturdy support structure for the Chief’s new tail. He then machined a bolted upper damper mount to connect the Ohlins shock absorber directly to the main frame.
Next, the OEM swingarm must be modified and reinforced accordingly. The final arrangement looked aggressive and purpose-built—and it made a big difference to the Head’s stance.
Pushing this concept even further, Zach fitted a set of 19F/17R racing wheels, custom-built by Roland Sands Design for the project. Next, a full set of Beringer brake parts was born — including an extra disc for the front, meaning a modification of the original fork to mount a second caliper. Dunlop Sportmax Q3+ tires complete the wheel frame.
As for the engine, the team left the Chief’s original 116 ci engine intact, only choosing to upgrade the intake and exhaust pipes. A new ventilation duct continues, along with a custom stainless steel two-in-one exhaust system, handcrafted by Zach. The Racefit muffler takes care of the background music.
Chief’s new racing bodywork is a blend of styles and origins. Zach built the gas tank himself, taking inspiration from classic Manx racing cars for inspiration. The bibs and chunky tails are 1970s-style replicas, modified to fit the Indians.
There is no immediate need to legalize bike lanes, creature comforts are kept to a minimum — or rather, completely eliminated. There’s very little light in sight and the cockpit includes a little less than the new grips and grips, and Beringer levers. Heck, not even a seat.
Motoary lent a hand in the rework of the Chief’s wire loom, while Roland Sands sent in a set of rear mounts to perfect the controller. With the fuel tank intact, the frame painted black and the rear swingarm painted white, the project is ready for the final stage; paint.
Where is this decorative conifers walked in, adorning the Indian with his unique brand of lettering and illustrations. A typographer, Nico describes his work as “an exploration of the concept of branding in a post-consumer society”.
He further explains: “In a world where signage and advertising are no longer needed to sell products or promote business, there is a danger that our lives could feel empty, at least in aesthetic side. “As an artist, I thrive in urban environments, and my work relies on it for inspiration.”
“I love being surrounded by the visual complexity of advertisements and signage but I can’t help but imagine, what if the message we are forced to eat every day is one about social connection. , empathy and optimism? How would we, as a society, evolve if this narrative had the same weight and could create the same impact as today’s big brand message?”
That philosophy pervades the Chief, complementing the work that gets it done with a tremendous amount of unbridled optimism. All that’s left now is to let it loose on the track.
dice magazine | Indian motorcycles | Image of Thaddeus Jamesfactory pictures Scott G Toepfer
