Motorcycles

Indian FTR AMA Custom From Workhorse Speed Shop Sees the Light

Photos of Brice Hennebert’s 1980s-era superbike inspired custom build.

Updated: February 15, 2022

The FTR AMA custom is a full-on homage to 1980s-era superbikes, with a little rally car flavor thrown in. Paint is inspired by the iconic Martini racing livery.Indian Motorcycle

When we last checked in on Brice Hennebert, owner and creative dynamo behind the Workhorse Speed Shop outfit, he was deep in the midst of two wild custom builds each using Indian’s FTR street tracker as a platform, and each inspired by different points in time of the superbike era. Now the first of those builds has reached completion, and from the looks of it, the head honcho behind such creations as Appaloosa Scout racer didn’t let a pesky thing like a global pandemic slow down the flow of his creative juices.

The new bike, called “FTR AMA,” is the first of two long-anticipated Indian builds by Hennebert (the other, called “Black Swan,” is yet to be revealed) and serves as a clear tribute to the AMA superbike years of the 1980s, with rally car influences from the same time frame thrown in for good measure, and a nod to the iconic Martini racing livery in the paint choices. According to Hennebert, “The main influences were the Lancia Delta HF mixed with Bol d’Or 750s and some muscle bike DNA.” Check out the photos for more details.

The FTR AMA custom uses the Indian FTR as a base, keeping the original upright ergos (and handlebar) intact.Indian Motorcycle

The 3D-printed rear portion incorporating the seat pan and taillight also contains the battery. The custom leather saddle is from Silver Machine.Indian Motorcycle

That yellow front plate (also 3D printed) holds a PIAA racing headlight as well as a Setrab oil cooler behind it.Indian Motorcycle

On the other side of the plate is an OEM gauge cluster right off the Indian Chief to keep the retro mood intact while still providing modern conveniences like a Bluetooth connection and charging options.Indian Motorcycle

The FTR’s chassis plates were redesigned for a racier look and machined from Brice Hennebert’s CAD designs by Vinco Racing, while JoNich Wheels provided the machined aluminum wheels—a nod to the turbo fan wheels used on Lancia Delta HF rally cars.Indian Motorcycle

The tailsection was modified to use twin piggyback Öhlins shocks mated to a purpose-built aluminum tube swingarm that’s 40mm longer than the original.Indian Motorcycle

Seen on the road, the rear is dominated by a large, old-school light adapted to take LEDs.Indian Motorcycle

Two aluminum fuel cells were fabricated to fit the new bodywork, one under the tank cover and the other under the seat unit, for a total capacity of 14 liters (same as the original bike).Indian Motorcycle

Fork yokes are replicas of Bol d’Or 750cc units adapted to the 43mm Öhlins forks, machined by Vinco Racing.Indian Motorcycle

Hennebert had another longtime collaborator, Beringer Brakes, design its 4D braking system to fit the tighter tolerances on the FTR AMA bike as well as play around with color options for the components.Indian Motorcycle

The angled exhaust was fabricated from stainless steel pie cuts, carefully welded together, and capped off by modified slip-on S&S Cycle Grand National mufflers.Indian Motorcycle