2005 Indian Larry Tempting Fate Chopper

Biker legend and master motorcycle fabricator Indian Larry doesn't need an introduction. The late chopper icon's hand-crafted motorcycles won countless custom shows, was featured in Motorcycle Mania with Jesse James, participated in motorcycle racing, and originated the hard-core motorcycle style – a blend between classic choppers and hotrod race bikes.

After Larry died in the Fall of 2004, longtime Indian Larry builders Paul Cox and Keino Sasaki kept working together in the original Brooklyn custom shop. So in 2005, when Michael Lichter invited Indian Larry's Motorcycles to build a brand new bike for an upcoming Speed Demons Exhibit in Sturgis—Paul and Keino accepted the challenge in a New York minute.

From day one, these two legendary New York builders set out to create a rideable work of art that was race influenced, unique unto itself—but still representing Indian Larry's vision, craftsmanship and legacy.

For starters, Paul and Keino built their own ultra narrow triple trees, just wide enough to fit the 21, but narrow enough to make the tight package they both liked to build. After that, they were looking for an alternative to their customary belt drives that had the mechanical look of an open chain primary, without the maintenance issues. They started with a stock double row sprocket and clutch basket and turned the teeth off so he had a set of universal centers to work with. They then acquired a pair of 50 series sprockets and opened up the centers and married the two to make a 530 chain primary. This was a nice resolution to the two concepts, in tight, but with an open, airy, mechanical look.

The only brake on “Tempting Fate” is a Performance Machine with an Indian Larry Legacy Question Cross rotor. Of course, Paul stitched up the horned leather saddle. The gas tank is a fat bob they axed in-house, and the rear fender, which they modified, is from Lucky's Choppers. The oil tank is one of Indian Larry Legacy's spun aluminum jobs. They then ran braided oil, fuel and brake lines throughout the bike. Paul says one of the pleasures in building this bike is getting back to building with extra parts from Indian Larry's custom shop, their private stash, modifying takeoffs from other bikes and letting all that inspire new ideas.

Finally, Paul and Keino had been talking to paint wizard Dave Perewitz for a while, about
collaborating on a project. For this unique build, they discussed some rough concepts on the logo and color at length, and then Perewitz ran with it—applying the House of Kolor Metallic Green, his trademark flames in orange with gold leaf, and violet pinstriping and lettering.

The finished work was nothing short of victorious. Indian Larry's vision, artistry and craftsmanship continues to live on in this electrifying custom motorcycle, “Tempting Fate”.


SPECS:

Owner: Indian Larry Legacy
City: Brooklyn, New York

GENERAL:
Fabrication: Indian Larry Legacy
Year/make: 2005
Model: Tempting Fate
Assembly: Indian Larry Legacy
Time: three weeks
Chroming: Wilco
Polishing: Color Life

ENGINE:
Brand: S&S P93 Pan/Shovel
Builder: S&S
Displacement: 93 cubic inches
Carb: S&S
Ignition: Electronic
Pipes: Indian Larry Legacy

TRANSMISSION:
Make: mixed origin
Year: mixed
Shifting: jockey
Special Features: polished, kick start and electric

PAINTING:
Painter: Dave Perewitz
Color: Green Metallic
Type: House of Kolor
Special paint: gold flames

FRAME:
Maker: Paughco/Indian Larry Legacy
Type: rigid
Rake: 30 degrees
Other alterations: lowered seat post

ACCESSORIES:
Handlebars: Indian Larry Legacy
Risers: none
Handlebar controls: Magura quick throttle
Fender: Lucky's Choppers/Paul Cox
Headlight: 4 1/2-inch
Taillight: V-Twin Mfg.
Pegs: Indian Larry Legacy
Electrics: minimum
Foot controls: Indian Larry Legacy
Gas tank: Axed Fat bob, Indian Larry Legacy
Oil tank: Indian Larry Legacy
Oil system: Indian Larry Legacy
Seat: Paul Cox
Grips: leather

FRONT END:
Type: inverted
Builder: Indian Larry Legacy

WHEELS FRONT:
Size: 90/90-21
Hub: spool
Rim Width: 1.85
Tires: Metzler Tourance
Brakes: none

WHEELS REAR:
Size: 140/80R17
Hub: H-D
Rim Width: 3.5-inch
Tires: Metzler Tourance
Brakes: Performance Machine/ Indian Larry Legacy rotor