Scout Bobber transformed into Sultans of Sprint racer to honour 100 Years of Indian Scout
Created by Brice Hennebert of Workhorse Speedshop and ridden by Grand Prix legend Randy Mamola, ‘Appaloosa’ honours the Indian Scout’s 100th anniversary, competing under race number #19 in the Sultans of Sprint Factory Class to celebrate 1919, the year the original Indian Scout was first revealed.
Brice chose the name ‘Appaloosa’, after the famed American horse breed, to link Workhorse, Indian Motorcycle and speed. “As soon as I discovered that the American horse breed Appaloosa was one of the world’s fastest horses, I knew I had the name for an American sprint bike built by Workhorse,” Brice explains.
‘Appaloosa’ is the culmination of over 700 hours of design and fabrication by Workhorse and has been supported with technical expertise and premium components from project partners Akrapovič, Beringer Brakes, MOTOREX, Öhlins, and Vibrant Performance.
After completely stripping the Scout Bobber, Brice cut and narrowed the original fuel tank, retaining the side profile, to create a cover for a new aluminium fuel cell which holds just 2.5 litres for sprint racing. With the fuel cell in place, work focussed on the riding position, a critical element for quick starts. A new sub-frame was fabricated to better support the rider under hard acceleration and combines with lower clip-on handlebars and drag-style foot controls to tilt the rider forward and keep weight over the front wheel.
To further enhance traction when the flag drops, Brice designed and welded an extended aluminium swingarm. With parts CNC machined from his drawings by Beringer Brakes, the swingarm is mated to advanced, fully adjustable suspension technology from Öhlins. Matching the STX 36 piggyback rear shock absorbers, Öhlins also supplied Retro 43 front forks and a steering damper to ensure the best possible grip and stability enabling the full performance of the bike to be utilised.
With a rolling chassis and elements of the streamlined fairing starting to take shape, Brice took Appaloosa to Akrapovič where a bespoke titanium exhaust system was created for maximum power and the best possible sound. Without making any internal modifications, engine power has been increased to 130hp with a combination of the Akrapovič exhaust, a racing ECU, Power Commander, direct intake, Nitrous Oxide Injection system and MOTOREX oil. To get the power to the tarmac, the original belt drive has been converted to chain drive and a quickshifter ensures swift and precise gear changes.
Bringing the rapid racer to a controlled stop is the complete 4D Aerotec braking system from Beringer Brakes. The 4D system features two Ø230mm discs per caliper for increased power over standard single discs as well as reduced inertia to aid acceleration. Beringer Brakes also supplied the handlebar controls and buttons as well as CNC machining many of the parts designed by Brice.
Using hosing supplied by Vibrant Performance the cooling system has been simplified for weight reduction and for a cleaner look around the engine. Additional components from Vibrant such as welded dash connectors, fuel and water tank caps and heat protection hoses add finishing touches to Appaloosa
Faring: Full aluminium body shaped in house
Swingarm: 7020 Aluminium swingarm made in house
Brakes: Beringer 4D Braking system, 220mm diameter discs
Suspension: Ohlins racing suspensions
Exhaust: Bespoke Akrapovič racing exhaust system
Fluids: provided by MOTOREX
Randy Mamola’s riding equipment: supplied by Alpinestar
Paint: Moto Peinture
Fabrication supplies: by Evok3 Performance
Bore x stroke: Standard: 99mm x 74mm
Cubic capacity: Standard: 1133cc
Compression ratio: Standard: 10.7:1
Throttle diameter: Standard: 60mm bore
Tuning measures/modifications: Power Commander and Racing ECU
Power: 135hp at 6500 rpm
Note: Although more power is possible, Appaloosa conforms to the rules of the Factory Class of the Sultans of Sprint which has a power-to-weight limit of 0.65bhp/kg
Torque: 165nm at 6500 rpm
Engine: Engine internals are standard. Nos system added. Mechanical throttle control.
Gearbox: Gearbox internals are standard. Quickshifter added.
Wheels and tyres: 17/110 front 17/180 back
Wheelbase: 1662mm, +100mmm over standard
Steering head angle: standard 29° Rake
Trail stock: standard 120 mm
Tank capacity: 2 litres
Weight: 212 kg with fuel
