Motorcycles

Carey Hart Shows Us the First Custom Indian Chief

Hart’s build packs on the attitude, performance upgrades…and color.

February 16, 2021

Most manufacturers will also trot out a custom version of new models to help sell the personalization possibilities. The first custom based on the revamped Indian Chief comes courtesy of Carey Hart.Johnny Laney

Indian Motorcycle just dropped its three totally redesigned 2022 Chief models, but certain insiders got their paws on the bike much sooner so that they could build a custom version based on the platform. The company may have officially taken the wraps off the Indian Chief, Indian Chief Bobber, and Indian Super Chief models this week but motocrosser and customizer Carey Hart was lucky enough to score an up-spec version of a stock Chief (in the form of an Indian Chief Dark Horse) some weeks ago and, as you’d expect, upped the specs and the stance even more.

The Chief Dark Horse Hart got his hands on packs the higher-compression Thunder Stroke 116 engine and Ride Command system as standard.Johnny Laney

With the new 2022 Chief’s design being a pretty radical departure from most of the other Chief iterations over the decades, Hart had a more minimal—practically blank, actually—foundation to start from. Given the skimpy bodywork, mid-mount controls, and drag bars, the new Chief already brings a more sporty riding position, and it looks like Hart took that aesthetic and added a more purposeful performance bias to it, swapping in new wheels, tires, brakes, fork… We’ll just get to as much as we can in the gallery that follows. Read on for the details.

The Indian Chief Dark Horse version packs the higher-compression Thunder Stroke 116 engine which Hart accented with new covers and graphics, though no word on if he did any internal tinkering.Johnny Laney

Replacing the stock model’s staggered dual exhaust is a 2-into-1 custom unit from Fab28 Industries; chain conversion is by Zipper’s.Johnny Laney

The new Chief also more easily allows for new suspension upgrades; the external stock shocks get swapped with a premium set of piggyback Fox units.Johnny Laney

The new copper-finish wheels are from San Diego Customs, and wear new Galfer rotors now clamped by Beringer calipers.Johnny Laney

In keeping with the performance theme, Saddlemen stepped in with a stepped, dragster-style seat to replace the wide, scooped stock unit.Johnny Laney

New finishes, paint, and trim fill in the cockpit area, with bars and grips from ODI; bar clamps, risers, and gauge bucket from Kraus Motor Co.; and mirror from Rizoma.Johnny Laney

The Chief takes on a way different demeanor viewed from the front, thanks to a Ness front fairing and fork extensions from Altered Industries. GP Suspension internals now live in the fork.Johnny Laney

Carey Hart fabbed up the frame guard himself, Dunlop supplied the American Elite tires, and Airtrix is responsible for the wild paint scheme.Johnny Laney