Heavy metal has become more than just a music over the years. It's a powerful and impactful state of being that has shaped the lives of millions of people. And if you really think about it, there are only so many heavy metal bands responsible for the genre's massive success.
For many heavy metal fans, few of these bands can match the success of Motorhead, King Diamond, and Scorpions. All industry icons, they share more than the type of music they make. They also share a drummer.
That would be Swede Mikkey Dee, who has been in all three bands (among others). Currently a member of Scorpions, which he joined in 2016, the man is more than just a talented musician: he is also a huge motorcycle enthusiast. And few things go together better than rock and motorcycles.
I mentioned Mikkey Dee because he is the recipient of the latest custom motorcycle commissioned by the American manufacturer Indian as part of the Forged program, which has been running for several years now.
Forged is about building a limited number of bikes each year, with the help of the biggest icons in the custom industry, and delivering the result to some famous person. For this year, the limit of bikes has been set at three, and we have already seen the first two of the race.
The first 2025 Forged bike was built by famed builder Roland Sands Design (RSD) for Grammy Award-winning member of the musical duo Twenty One Pilots, Joshua Dun. The second was built by 20th Century Racing founder Brittney Olsen for popular country singer Nikki Lane.
Photo: Indian
Both bikes were based on the latest incarnation of the Indian Scout and had to follow a few simple design rules: the final product had to be “rooted in an inspiring historical figure, machine or era from Scout's legendary 100-plus year history.”
The RSD was revealed as a cruiser transformed into a high-performance street bike, while the Olsen-built bike stayed true to its roots. The third and final Forged bike, built for Mikkey Dee and revealed this week by Indian, transformed the cruiser into a chopper. Because, you know, choppers go best with heavy metal riders.
The project was curated by Ronna Noren, owner of a specialized workshop called Unique Custom Cycles.
Just like the previous two Scouts, there have been no major changes to the bike’s engine. That means the liquid-cooled 1250cc V-twin that pumps out 105 horsepower is still in place, as is the six-speed transmission used to control it. The only major change that can be seen in relation to the engine is the installation of unique headers and stainless steel silencers on the exhaust system.
The idea behind the rest of the work, which is extensive, to say the least, was to capture the essence of Dee's impact on the music world, but also to highlight the “deep connection between heavy metal and motorcycle culture.”
As the bike transitioned from a cruiser to a chopper, a lot of changes were made to change the way the bike sits and moves on the road. And it all started with the frame, with changes to the length (a four-inch stretch) and angle (33 degrees at the neck, 37 degrees at the fork) of the thing. Plus, a one-off upper frame was dreamed up, narrower than before.
Photo: Indian
The suspension system has been modified to include IMC and Fox shock absorbers. Up front there is a new fork with a four-degree rake, while the opposite end features a new position for the shock mounts.
The Scout was backed by custom 21-inch front and 18-inch rear stainless steel spoked wheels. They are backed by ISR braking hardware.
The most extensive (and most visible) changes are to the bodywork. Almost no element of the original Scout has escaped modifications, from end to end and from side to side.
I'll start at the front, where a custom fender has been pulled over the wheel. Above the fender are the stock handlebars, which have been heavily modified with integrated risers and a unique speedometer housing.
Further back, the fuel tank has been shortened and narrowed, and also fitted with a Tolle Engineering fuel cap. The seat, of course, has not escaped the changes, and now features Silver Machine upholstery. Then comes the rear fender, also custom and new, sitting on the custom wheel.
On the sides, the attention falls on the modified Scout footrests. The motorcycle controls are also the original ones, slightly modified.
The whole build looks completely different from a stock Scout and almost as exciting as a purpose-built chopper – and that's probably what the builder went for.
Indian hasn’t said how much the bike cost to produce, but we know that the model it’s based on starts at $10,749.
