Indian Motorcycle and Workhorse Speed Shop have revealed the FTR AMA, the first of two long-anticipated Indian FTR builds by Brice Hennebert. Well known for his unique creations and with two iterations of Appaloosa, the Indian Scout based sprint racer, already under his belt, Brice was commissioned to create two very special FTRs for two brothers, Black Swan and the FTR AMA.
While the Black Swan is yet to be revealed, it was the commissioner of Black Swan who asked Brice to design a second build for his brother. The result is the FTR AMA, a bright and imposing motorcycle with a hardcore, 1980s edge.
Starting the work in early February 2021, Brice’s first decision was to retain an upright riding position, something close to the original FTR and use the original handlebars. From there, a lot of changes were about to happen.
The 3D printed front plate houses a PiAA race light and supports the Setrab oil cooler beneath. Nestled behind the front plate sits the OEM dash from the new Indian Chief, a design more in keeping with the retro racing mood, but with all the options of a modern machine, such as phone connection and charging.
The printed module that incorporates the seat pan and taillight is also the battery holder, the battery having been moved into the rear as a nod to endurance bikes. With the saddle upholstered in smooth brushed leather by long-time collaborator, Jeroen from Silver Machine, the tail section is complemented by an old school taillight adapted to take LEDs.
To accommodate the DNA performance air filters, the intake was redesigned and 3D printed, while two aluminium fuel cells were fabricated to fit the new bodywork, one under the tank cover and the other hung under the seat unit. Connected by AN10 connectors, the capacity matches the 14 litres of the original bike.
The chassis plates were redesigned for a more race-like look and machined from Brice’s CAD designs by Vinco Racing in Holland. Vinco Racing undertook all the machining on the project including the swingarm components, braking brackets, yokes, fuel cell components, the front brackets for the oil cooler and more.
The fork yokes are replicas of Bol d’Or 750cc yokes adapted to the 43mm Ohlins forks. And at the rear, the tail section was modified to use twin piggyback Ohlins shocks mated to a bespoke swingarm built from 7020 aluminium Tubes. The swingarm design was inspired by the same era and is 40mm longer compared to the original with a 3D printed chain slider protecting the tubing.
Clearance for the braking system was a concern with these wheels, so Brice called on another long-time collaborator, Etienne at Beringer Brakes. To create the swoop of the exhaust, it was fabricated from stainless steel pie cuts and beautifully welded together, capped off by a couple of modified slip-on S&S Cycle Grand National mufflers.
