Indian Scout Black Hills Beast Is Not the New Scout You've Been Waiting For

Still, even though hill climbing on dirt tracks and Indian Motorcycles seem a rather antagonist combination, Doug Siddins and Nick Jaquez of IndianMotorcycles.net proved that great things CAN result from bold and wacky ideas.

The Indian Scout Black Hills Beast pays homage to the hill climbing bikes of yore, and Doug and Nick says that building such a bike was both easy and a real challenge. Alongside tech upgrades and frame modifications, the overall styling of the bike was the big thing.

Simply adding aftermarket component with sheer functionality in mind could miss the retro vibe

Aside from adding to the performance specs of the Scout, recreating a vintage feel was essential, so the Scout was chopped here and there, and bespoke parts were crafted. Original Indian aftermarket parts have also been used, such as the wire spoked wheels and the 1920 Solo Saddle Seat.

The Black Hills Beast was upgraded with help from "Aeromach (floorboards and heel shifter), Dobeck Performance (engine tuning), Fox Shocks (suspension), RPW USA (exhaust), Starr Studios (paint), Ricochet Customs (powder coating), BTR Moto (swingarm and tyre chain), Zippers Performance (chain drive conversion) and Traxxion Dynamics (front suspension)," as the Indian press release reports.

Doug and Nick opted for a chain final drive because chains are stronger and can take much more abuse than belts, and also used a custom chain for increasing traction at the rear tire. Basically, they mixed two casual chain rings and linked them with strands of motorcycle chain.

The Indian headlight was replaced by a ratty-looking one with LED lights, and the Scout exhaust was binned, a short, racey one arriving in its stead. The bike was commissioned by Indian for Sturgis, but will also take part in hill climb competitions later this year. If you'r e in for custom Scouts, you might want to check out the Black Bullet Scout Hotrod or the Custom Military Scout, too.