Indian Scout Bobber Build-Off Finalists Unveiled at Sturgis
The trip from drawing board to reality is complete for the three finalists in Indian’s Scout Bobber Build-Off: That’s Christian Newman‘s concept bike in the lead photo, and here it is in the metal along with Christian, who’s a mechanical engineer dealing with mining equipment in Buffalo, NY.
The fat Hoosier slick says drag racer, the ape hangers and skinny front say chopper, and the king-and-queen seat says take me for a ride big fella.
MODIFICATIONS:
- Fender (one-off, custom)
- Triple trees (one-off, custom)
- Fork lowers (one-off, custom)
- Front and rear hubs (one-off, custom)
- Swingarm (one-off, custom)
- Sissy bar (one-off, custom)
- Handlebars (one-off, custom)
- Cable conversion (one-off, custom)
- Rear axle and spacers (one-off, custom)
- Stainless exhaust (one-off, custom)
- Skidplate/radiator shroud (one-off, custom)
- Frame inserts (one-off, custom)
- Grips (one-off, custom)
- Footpegs and shifter pegs (one-off, custom)
- Brake distribution T (one-off, custom)
- Headlight support bracket (one-off, custom)
- Sprocket guard (one-off, custom)
- Form stem with fluid pass through (one-off, custom)
- Mid controls (one-off, custom)
- Front brake lever (one-off, custom)
- Narrowed tank (one-off, custom)
- Kustom tech clutch lever
- RSD front master cylinder
- Exile internal throttle
- Weld Racing rear wheel 15 x 3.5
- Buchanan spokes
- V-twin drum brake
- Zippers performance intake
- Power Commander V
- Hoosier rear slick 26 x 4.5
- Mefo front slick 23 x 2.5
- GMA calipers
- V-twin rear master cylinder
- EBC rotors
- Stainless brake lines
- Lowbrow custom axles and fork blanks
- Regatta Garage risers
- 23 x 1.6 Excel Rim
- Tomfork nacelle & headlight with adjure turn signal mount
- Hard Drive -2” 29mm fork uppers
- Lowbrow customs fork tube caps
- Progressive suspension 11” 413 shocks with covers and caps
- Chrome 503 o-ring chain
- ARP hardware
Thoughts, Christian?
“This experience is sort of surreal because it put me outside of my comfort zone and allowed me to work with less of a budgetary constraint, as I always build bikes with my own cash. It’s flattering that I was chosen and I am very thankful. I was a little apprehensive about my build when it first began. I’m not used to using a largely unmodified frame or motor, so I was worried that the bike wouldn’t feel like I’d done anything significant, but I’ve wound up replacing almost every piece on it besides those two major components, so it really feels like mine.”
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One begins to think the fix was in, since Alfredo Juarez has a Master’s degree in engineering and works as a flammability test engineer for NASA in Las Cruces, NM.
MODIFICATIONS:
- Built 4130 Chromoly 1” OD x 0.095 wall (two piece utilizing stressed member engine design)
- Troy Fabrication chain tensioner
- Built 1020 DOM 7/8” OD x 0.120 wall girder front end (built all components)
- All Balls upper and lower steering bearings
- Built 1.75” 304 SS exhaust system (open headers) Summit Racing J-bends
- Modified tank to cover frame tunnel
- Scout Sixty “Indian” script badges
- 4.5” Hogworkz Blackout Halo passing light
- Built copper headlight fairing with mounted speedo
- Built left and right copper body panels
- Built 0.125” seat pan
- Victory CRF450R aluminum hubs (21” front spokes rethreaded and cut to fit 19 rim)
- Excel 19×2.15” 36H front rim
- Excel 19×2.15” 32H rear rim
- Tusk front and rear rotors
- 5” over rear brake line Earl’s brakes
- Tires – Dunlop K70 3.50-19 front and rear
- JTR 816-52 final drive 530 sprocket
- D.I.D. 530 gold o-ring chain
- 6061 aluminum spacer/hub adapter
- Zippers primary 530 sprocket
- Zippers intake manifold with open element K&N filter
- Radiator express CRF450R radiators
- 2x Spal 4” radiator fans
- Reversed and inverted handlebars modified to accept stock controls
- V-Twin – Shorty 1-1/2″ handlebar risers
Alfredo says:
“This experience has been amazing inside and out. It’s been a huge blessing for myself and my family. I’m proud of the final product, not only for all the work I’ve put into it, but for all the work my family has put in and the sacrifices they have made to allow me to focus on this over the last three months. My dad’s time and support on this project has allowed my daughter to spend quality time with her grandpa. My wife painted the tank, which she’s never done before, but we had all the confidence considering her creative talents. My family and I are so very thankful for this opportunity and we’d like to thank all those involved on making this dream a reality.”
Last but by no means least, here’s the PJ Grakauskas entry. PJG works as a safety inspector for OSHA, out of Avon, Ohio, and gets it all out of his system in his backyard shed.
A handmade full fairing is PJ’s way of paying his respects to the favorite racers and machines of his youth, much of it spent hanging out at racetracks and bike shops.
PJ’s Notes:
“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.”
Indian says:
STURGIS, SD (August 6, 2018) –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.
“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.com. 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.
Related reading: Indian Announces Its Three Finalists for the Scout Bobber Build-Off Competition
More by John Burns
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When you spend some time looking at them, there's a remarkable amount of work that went into each one of these bikes, and none of it duplicated between the 3. I really didn't think I was going to like the "chopper" concept (1st bike) but I'm oddly drawn to it. Amazing amount of detailed work going on there. Crazy talented. And that Café. Wow. That looks like production quality pieces you could sell in kit form to convert any Scout.
I pick the soon? to arrive FTR1200.