In mid-February 2021, former freestyle MXer and current custom bike builder and husband to you-know-who Carey Hart unveiled his personal custom Indian Chief. Nearly a year later Hart is back with another FOX-suspended custom Chief, this time for actor Jon Bernthal.
“I love performance, I love going fast, turning fast, and braking hard,” Hart explained. “I don’t sacrifice anything on my bikes to jeopardize their handling, performance or safety. I was excited to hear about the new Chief when it was announced, that they were sticking to the old aesthetic: you know, dual shocks, triangular steel frame, the stance of the bike, how the bike handles, the power. These 116 motors are no joke; these things run like a champion and the bike really lends itself to customizing and making it your own.”
Nicknamed ‘Trouble Maker,’ this is the first bike Hart has built for someone other than himself.
To steer the direction and build the perfect bike, Hart and Bernthal—star of “The Punisher” and “The Walking Dead”—connected prior to and during the build so that Hart could understand Bernthal’s influences and what he’s interested in. The ergonomic setup was also helped by the fact that both men are of very similar height and size, allowing Hart to size up the riding position himself.
“I just wanted him to fit on the bike like a glove,” Hart said.
“I was immediately blown away by how good a guy he is,” Bernthal added. “I knew I was doing this with one of the best in the world. So, it’s just like trusting his expression, getting to know me, what kind of guy I am and the things that are important to me. And that’s what really interested me about this opportunity.”
“There’s so much that excites me about it,” Bernthal added. “The basic setup of it is perfect. Where the handlebars sit, how he’s lifted it a little bit. I wanted it to be kind of exactly what it is. I wanted it to be humble but elegant. I didn’t want the bike to draw too much attention to itself but when you looked at it a little bit closer you realized how special it is. I think it’s beautiful. I can’t imagine a more perfect bike. I can’t believe that I get to ride this thing.”
“To be honest, this is the first time I’ve built a motorcycle for someone else, so it was definitely a little bit of a nail biter,” Hart said. “Seeing Jon’s excitement over the motorcycle, seeing his appreciation for the time that me and Big B put in on the motorcycle and just knowing that he’s genuinely, genuinely happy about the bike and that the bike is going to see a lot of road miles, that was just the big payoff for me.”
“I’m really happy with the motorcycle. I wanted the bike to handle well, I wanted him to be comfortable in the saddle. I wanted him to just be able to be one with that motorcycle. I think with the result, both visually and how the bike stands and sits, I feel like I really accomplished that.”
Indian Chief “Trouble Maker” Build Spec
FOX RAD piggyback shocks (+1 inch); GP fork (revalved); Fab 28 2-into-1 stainless exhaust; Airtrix paint; Kraus bar clamps, risers, and gauge bracket; ODI bars and Hart Luck lock-on grips; Beringer front and rear brake calipers, front brake master and clutch perch; Barnett clutch cable; Galfer front brake line with front and rear brake rotors; Dunlop tires; San Diego Customs wheels andshift/brake pegs; Saddlemen Hart Luck seat; Rizoma mirrors, rear brake lights and front indicator lights; custom-machined inspection cover and lower frame cover; Rokform phone mount; Pro Bolt titanium hardware and Drag Specialties license plate bracket.
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