While Norman Reedus is undeniably best-known for playing Daryl Dixon on AMC’s smash hit zombie horror show The Walking Dead, the Florida-born actor also famously boasts an immense passion for motorcycles. In addition to heading up and hosting Ride with Norman Reedus for five seasons, he also owns an ever-growing — and decidedly eclectic — collection of impressive bikes that includes a custom Hammerhead Jack Pine Triumph Scrambler, a 2008 Harley-Davidson Sportster, a 2017 Triumph Tiger 800, and a replica of the custom Classified Moto-built 1992 Honda CB750 ridden by the actor on The Walking Dead. And the latest addition to Reedus’ stable of two-wheelers is a one-off cruiser built by Yaniv Even of legendary Los Angeles customs shop Powerplant Motorcycles.
Marking the second star from The Walking Dead to receive an official factory-backed one-off from America’s oldest moto marque — after FMX icon Carey Hart customized a new Indian Chief for Jon Bernthal in late 2021 — Reedus’ new bike began life as a bone stock example of Indian’s newly-released Sport Chief. The build boasts a modified, narrowed and raised fuel cell that’s been bestowed with custom 3″ louvers and an MX-style tank vent breather. Directly behind the one-off tank is a custom two-up-friendly Cobra-style saddle with a stepped passenger seat that perfectly nestles into the contours of the cruiser’s custom bobbed rear fender. A small chromed passenger backrest also doubles as the build’s license plate holder and taillight bracket. Repositioned rear shock and swing-arm mounts further tidy up the aft end of the bike, as do a pair of bespoke side covers with matching louvers.
Now sporting a blacked-out finish with polished cooling fins, the 116ci (1,900cc) Thunder Stroke V-Twin at the heart of the build has also received an upgraded air filter set behind a chromed Powerplant Motorcycles cover and a custom-fabricated stainless steel exhaust culminating in a RedThunder cone with a custom “P16” badge. The build also features a custom front fender, Brembo brakes, and a set of modified seven-spoke Morris Mag replica wheels. The project’s final touch comes in the form of a bespoke vintage-inspired flamed livery courtesy of WW Cycles. While Powerplant has done stellar work here and has delivered a fantastic-looking machine, our favorite aspect of this one-off motorcycle is the fact that it was actually built to be ridden rather than spending its life as a garage queen. And with Reedus’ passion for riding, the thing will almost certainly see quite a bit of time on the road.
This build marks the first of three “Forged” series customs that are being commissioned by Indian. This first build will be followed up by a one-off Sport Chief build from Barnstorm Cycles that will be unveiled on May 10 and then finally by another Carey Hart-built bike on May 18.
