The new Indian Scout is a bike we have been waiting for. This machine is what could be considered Indian’s first small CC Indian cruiser designed from the ground up. The previous Scout sold well and was a fun machine, but it still carried with it a little bit of vibe from what was originally a Victory that had been reconfigured to be an Indian Scout. The new bike is a complete departure, a new Engine aesthetic with performance to boot and a beautiful steel chassis that begs to be customized along with reshaped sheet metal. The new design gets away from the all in design aesthetic so prevalent in the new water-cooled Harley’s and many Japanese or European cruisers. From the fully convertible rear end which is removed with only a few bolts to a chopable steel frame and simple line work the bike begs to be personalized. Ola Stenegard, who heads up Indian’s design and is responsible for the new Chief as well as the new Scout knows a thing or two about custom bikes. He’s been building them for years and he knew if Scout was to have a long life, customization wasn’t just important, it was critical.
So this gets us to our new Scout, the Bandito Scout for Josh Dun, the drummer of the epic and always innovative band, 21 Pilots. Call it serendipity or just plain fate, but the bikes design was cemented before we knew Josh would be receiving it. With the yellow and black finishing aligning so well with the bands livery for their album Trench it was meant to be. After meeting Josh and talking to him about his 2 wheeled experience we found out the two bikes he’d spent most of his time on were an Indian FTR 1200 and an older Indian Scout. As fate would have it, the Bandito was the result of smashing a new Scout together with an FTR 1200.
Our goal was to increase the overall performance of the Scout utilizing the Indian parts book with some RSD specific upgrades. We started with an Indian FTR1200 front end and modified the steering stem to fit the Scout chassis which also raised the bike. We fitted FTR brakes, Brembo race rotors and our new 17 x 3.5 RSD x Dymag Sector wheels with a Sticky Dunlop Q5S front tire. We swapped out the original Bobber risers and bars for Pro Taper Carmichael bends and a set of Black RSD 8” Sector risers and 3d printed gauge mount to accept the stock Scout Gauge. FTR master cylinders and clutch lever add a performance touch to the hand controls.
The rear of the bike was an all FTR affair. The stock swingarm was traded out for a modified Trac Dynamics swingarm off our FTR Super Hooligans bike. The solo shock mount was trimmed to accept dual shocks of the Scout 101 with mounts to raise the shocks. The swingarm pivot was moved forward nearly an inch to mount where the FTR swingarm mounts (the FTR and Scout share similar case bottoms) We drilled and threaded the cases to accept the swingarm bolts. Rear wheel is a 17 x 6.0 RSD x Dymag Sector wheel with Dunlop Q5S. Rear brake and rotor are straight off the FTR 1200. The rear belt drive was swapped out for a chain drive with a Talon rear sprocket and DID 525 Chain in Gold. An RSD Counter shaft guard top off the drive system.
Foot controls were modified and moved back for a true mid control. Aaron Boss our chief fabricator created new frame spares that mimicked a full cradle chassis to accept the modified Scout foot controls with RSD Traction foot pegs.
The tank and upper fairing would stay 100% stock outside of paint work and new mounts for the upper fairing to work with the narrowed FTR fork. Front fender was pulled from the FTR parts bin.
Rear fender and struts were removed completely. We then used one of our Scout Flat Track under tail section kit and Saddlemen tail section for a base for the new tail section. We modified the existing flat track tail adding new sides that flowed with the chassis and added more seat back and an undertail with Baja Designs tail light. The crew from Saddlemen made the tail pretty and returned it to Aaron who finished the mounting blending the upper and lower parts of the tail to create the seamless end goal. Saddelmen created a beautiful seat for the new tail section.
The paint work was dialed by Chris Wood at Air Trix. Roland’s design was executed perfectly by Chris with a beautiful satin and gloss black base and golden, yellow metallic accents. The 3D metal Indian logo’s were a Chris Wood Special and do a great job in setting off the paint.
The power plant stayed stock outside of the stainless Exhaust fabricated by Aaron at RSD. The original SC project exhaust can was bitchin, but it was super loud. After a day on the bike Josh decided that something quieter might be better. Roland spent some time on the bike and fully agreed so a new larger SC silencer was swapped out.
Spec bolts provided an engine and chassis bolt kit that really helped jewel up the motor and forks.
Brake and engine fluids have all been converted to Motul.
Revealing the bike to Josh here at the RSD compound in Long Beach was a great moment. Josh’s excitement and stoke for the bike was obvious, and our hard work and effort was appreciated both visually and even more so when Josh and Roland got the opportunity to ride together through Long Beach and into San Pedro. The Bandito earned it’s yellow stripes and we couldn’t of gifted it to someone more deserving and appreciative.
The bike was the first of three customs in Indian’s Forged series presented by host Roland Sands. Britanny Olson and Ronna Noren are the second and third builders. Stay tuned for more from the Indian Scout forged series of bikes!
