Indian Motorcycle UK and Sideburn magazine have announced a collaboration to realise a special, custom-built Indian FTR celebrating the American flat track heritage of the FTR, the burgeoning UK dirt track scene while also spanning the globe to blend the moto cultures of America, Britain, and Japan by partnering with one of the most current and creative customisers, Toshiyuki “CHEETAH” Osawa.
Based out of his Tokyo workshop, Cheetah Custom Cycles, is one of the most respected custom builders anywhere in the world. He creates stripped down customs often featuring his own flawless, hand-formed alloy bodywork. While never limiting himself to one brand or style of motorcycle, Cheetah has created a number of Indian customs using both vintage and modern models as his starting point. Cheetah is also one of the driving forces behind the grassroots resurgence of dirt track in Japan, so the tie-in with the FTR and Sideburn is perfect.
As part of the build, a series of videos will follow the project from the build to its unveiling at the prestigious Bike Shed Show London and beyond when the ‘Tokyo Connection’ can drop show bike duties and get back to riding hard.
The first video kicks off the project with a little British humour and features Indian Motorcycle flat track racer Leah Tokelove taking advantage of Sideburn’s brand new Indian FTR.
