Indian Motorcycle and Workhorse Speed Shop have revealed the FTR AMA, the first of two long-anticipated Indian FTR builds by Brice Hennebert. He was commissioned to create two very special FTRs for two brothers, Black Swan (which is yet to be revealed) and the FTR AMA, a bright and imposing motorcycle with a hardcore, 1980s edge.
Hennebert is known for his unique creations and details that the brief for this project was “pretty open, something colorful and as sharp as a war tank.” He notes that the only restriction was that the paint had to be inspired by the Martini Racing livery, so after some research and brainstorming, he based the look around AMA SBK racers from the 80s and the Rally cars from the same era. The main influences were the Lancia Delta HF mixed with Bol d’Or 750s and some muscle bike DNA.
Starting work in early February 2021, Hennebert’s first decision was to retain an upright riding position and the original handlebars, something close to the original FTR. From there, a lot of changes were about to happen.
He used direct CAD design based on a 3D scan of the FTR chassis. Then, all the body parts were 3D printed and reinforced with carbon fiber. The 3D printed front plate houses a PiAA race light and sports a 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, with the battery moved to 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 tail light adapted to take LEDs.
To accommodate the DNA performance air filters, the intake was redesigned and 3D printed, while two aluminum 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 liters 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, and the front brackets for the oil cooler.
The fork yokes are replicas of Bol d’Or 750cc yokes adapted to the 43mm Öhlins forks. And at the rear the tail section was modified to use twin piggyback Öhlins shocks mated to a bespoke swingarm built from 7020 aluminum 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.
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