Despite less than two weeks having passed since Workhorse Speedshop revealed its last FTR-based project, the Belgian bespoke bike building outfit has now pulled the cover off of its next one-off Indian FTR 1200 with what Workhorse has dubbed the “Black Swan.”
Taking ample inspiration from the bulbous-bodied sportbikes and GP racers of the 1990s, the Black Swan was designed using old-school construction techniques, with bodywork that began as a wireframe before being dressed up in a clay mold — unlike Workhorse’s previous FTR project that was created using CAD design, 3D printing, and a host of other cutting-edge techniques. This resulted in a carbon fiber tank, tail section, and single-piece carbon full front fairing with an Indian LED headlight that features an electronically-retracted cover — a blatant nod to Grand Prix bikes.
The Indian was also treated to a new, relocated tank, an aluminum belly-pan, top-shelf Beringer braking hardware, ultra-premium Rotobox carbon fiber wheels shod in sticky Dunlop supplied GP Racer tires, a custom 7020 aluminum swingarm paired with an Öhlins Racing piggyback shock, a black Öhlins fork, clip-on handlebars fitted with Motogadget bar-end LED indicators, and a host of custom-machined billet items from Vinco Racing Engineering including the project’s swingarm fitting, chassis plates, triple trees, and fuel cell components, just to name a few. Workhorse also called on Silver Machine Seats to whip up the FTR’s hypercar-inspired Alcantara-upholstered seat and dash, and Akrapovič to help co-design the project’s fully-bespoke two-into-one exhaust system.
Like Workhorse Speedshop’s previous FTR project, the Black Swan wonderfully demonstrates the American donor bike’s conduciveness to customization. Those interested in building out their own custom Indian FTR can purchase new specimens from the manufacturer starting from just $12,999.
