Earlier this year, Indian Motorcycle delivered a new, reimagined version of its iconic Chief model. In a bid to demonstrate the new Chief’s conduciveness to customization, America’s oldest moto marque is tasking three big names in the bespoke bike world to apply their own signature treatments to the big-bore cruiser. Alongside MX legend Carey Hart, and Paul Cox and Keino Sasaki (of Indian Larry fame), Indian has also tapped legendary builder Go Takamine to transform a brand new Super Chief Limited, applying his signature look to the 1,890cc cruiser.
As the father of the Brat style of build, there was no question as to what route Takamine would be taking when building out this project. Now sporting a hardtail rear-end, the Brat-style Chief has been treated to a host of one-off elements including a fender from a 1937 Ford truck that’s been modified and repurposed into the bike’s rear fender, custom knurled brass foot-pegs capped off with U.S. Buffalo Nickels, a dual-sprung bobber-style saddle, a bespoke air filter, custom fork shrouds, a mini sissy bar, a pair of custom headers feeding into a set of Brat Style reverse cone mufflers, brass handlebar risers, and a vintage round headlight. To maintain Go’s signature minimalistic aesthetic, the Chief’s touchscreen Ride Command display has also been relocated to the left side of the tank, which is the stock fuel cell, though it’s been modified and narrowed.
Prior to its completion, actor Nicholas Hoult — of Mad Max and X-Men fame — caught wind of the fact that there was a Go Takamine-modified 2022 Indian Super Chief Limited in the works, and decided he needed to add it to his stable, which is where the build now resides.
