A Custom 2020 Indian® Challenger
Grey Lampkin is no stranger to custom motorcycles. As a pilot for Sun Country Airlines, precision and performance are part of his everyday life, and that same mindset carries into his builds. Over the years, Grey has owned and transformed a range of bikes, always pushing toward something more refined, more aggressive, and more uniquely his own like his current project bike: a V-Rod makeover to the extreme.
When the conversation turned to building a two-up touring bike with his wife Carleigh, there was never any question that it would be custom. The idea wasn’t just to ride comfortably together, but to create something that reflected both of their personalities while still delivering a high-performance riding experience.
That direction was solidified after time spent on a limited-edition Indian Challenger previously built within the Klock Werks circle. The handling, power, and ride quality checked every box. From there, the path forward became clear.
Early in the process, a rare opportunity surfaced: a brand new 2020 Indian Challenger that had originally been purchased for parts development. That bike would become the foundation for what would evolve into “Blood Hound.”
For riders looking to build or upgrade their own Indian, you can explore our full lineup of performance-driven Challenger parts here.
Defining the Build Philosophy
From the beginning, this build was never going to be a simple bolt-on project. The goal was to create something custom in every sense, blending performance, aesthetics, and craftsmanship into a cohesive final product.
For Brian Klock and the Krew, that meant going beyond surface-level customization. It meant stripping the bike down toits core and rethinking every major component. One of the boldest decisions came early: removing the motor entirely to achieve a full polish. The first polished motor on a Challenger.
The vision extended to the frame itself, which was fully painted to complement the overall design. The swingarm was polished to match the motor, creating a level of detail rarely seen on a Challenger platform. Every component was treated as an opportunity to refine the build further.
Grey’s physical presence also played a role in shaping the bike. A more aggressive stance was needed to match both rider and machine. The decision to run a stout 190 front tire on SMT chrome wheels and rotors helped achieve that planted, muscular look while maintaining performance integrity.
Custom Design and Fabrication
As the build evolved, it became clear that certain elements would need to be reimagined entirely. This is where long-standing relationships and trusted craftsmanship came into play.
Brian Klock worked closely with long-time friend and fabricator Rob Roehl to introduce key structural changes that would define the bike’s silhouette. A custom dash was designed and built to extend the visual length of the tank, subtly shifting the proportions of the bike. This single modification had a significant impact on the overall flow.
Roehl also took on the challenge of transforming a Klock Werks Benchmark front fender into something entirely unique, along with integrating a custom rear treatment that included a frenched license plate. These modifications altered the visual weight and balance of the bike, giving it a more streamlined and intentional appearance.
To further enhance the flow, Reytelo side covers were added, bridging transitions between components and eliminating visual gaps. The result was a cleaner, more unified design from front to rear.
Dialing in Rider Experience and Ergonomics
Performance isn’t just about horsepower. It’s also about how the rider interacts with the machine. Grey leaned into this by selecting a Barnstorm-designed dash and handlebar setup that delivered a more aggressive, performance-oriented riding position.
This setup complemented the bike’s stance and gave Grey a more connected feel on the road. It also reinforced the overall intent of the build, which was to create a Challenger that looked fast, felt fast, and performed accordingly.
The addition of a saddle seat ensured comfort wasn’t sacrificed, especially for longer rides with Carleigh. Every decision balanced form and function, ensuring the bike could be ridden as confidently as it could be displayed.
The Birth of “Blood Hound”
With the structural and mechanical direction established, attention turned to color and finish. As with many builds, this was a collaborative decision, and Carleigh played a central role in defining the final look.
Happy wife – happy life. Carleigh chose a deep red/burgundy tone and Jeremy Seanor of Luckystrike Designs was the man and the talent for the effort. They decided on a candy hue they called, “Blood Hound” red and the bike secured its name. Jeremy set about parting the mound of frame pieces and base parts
Jeremy Seanor of Lucky Strike Designs brought that vision to life. Known for his attention to detail and artistic precision, Jeremy took the build to the next level through layered finishes, engine-turned silver leaf, pinstriping, and custom lettering.
The paint added depth and dimension, ensuring the bike would command attention from every angle. The combination of color, texture, and line work turned the Challenger into a rolling piece of art without compromising its performance roots.
Power and Performance Upgrades
With the bike already torn down for polishing, it made sense to push performance further. Grey worked with Revolution Performance and longtime collaborator Rick Ward to develop a more powerful engine setup.
The result was a 116 cubic inch configuration, delivering increased power and responsiveness. This wasn’t just about numbers, it was about enhancing the riding experience in a way that matched the bike’s aggressive design.
Additional input from Rob Schapt at Milwaukee Indian helped refine the setup, drawing from proven performance modifications. Final tuning ensured the bike performed as smoothly as it looked.
The exhaust system also played a role in both performance and aesthetics. A limited-edition S&S Cycle 2-into-1 exhaust, originally designed to celebrate championship bagger racing efforts, was selected and fully polished to match the rest of the build.
Finishing Details That Define the Build
The final stage of the build focused on details that would tie everything together. These are the elements that often go unnoticed individually but make a significant impact collectively.
Metzeler tires were chosen to balance comfort and performance, ensuring confidence on long rides. Ciro lights were added to the saddlebags to enhance visibility and safety without disrupting the bike’s clean lines.
A Baja Designs backlit Red L6G provided a distinctive lighting element, reinforcing the bike’s identity even at night.
Additional components, including smooth billet hinge covers from Forever Rad and custom “Tacti-tether” solutions from Motak, added subtle yet meaningful touches that elevated the overall finish.
Klock Werks Components Featured in the Build
Several key components from Klock Werks played a central role in shaping both performance and design:
- 8” Flare Windshield in Dark Smoke
- Benchmark Front Fender Customized by Rob Roehl
- Custom Benchmark Rear with Frenched Plate Integration
- Custom License Plate Frame
- Reytelo Bag Extensions for Challenger
These elements worked together to enhance airflow, improve rider comfort, and refine the visual profile of the bike.
Partners and Parts
- Saddlemen Saddle Seat
- Lucky Strike Designs – Custom Paint by Jeremy Seanor
- Elite Polishing – Full Motor Polish
- SMT Chrome Wheels and Rotors
- Barnstorm Cycles – Custom Dash and Handlebar Setup
- S&S Cycle – Limited-Edition 2-into-1 Exhaust
- Forever Rad – Smooth Billet Hinge Covers
- Motak – “Tacti-Tether” Custom Tethers
- Rob Roehl – Custom Dash and Fender Fabrication
- Revolution Performance – Engine Build
- Rick Ward – Engine Performance Support
- Milwaukee Indian – Performance Tuning and Development with Rob Schapt
- Metzeler – Tires
- Ciro – Saddlebag Lighting
- Baja Designs – Backlit Red L6G Lighting
A True Collaborative Effort
No build of this scale happens in isolation. “Blood Hound” is the result of collaboration between skilled individuals who each brought their expertise to the table.
From fabrication and paint to performance and finishing, every contributor played a role in bringing the vision to life. Special thanks go to Dani Pray, Shelton Einerwold, and Ryan Anderson for their efforts in the shop throughout the process, along with Brian and Vanessa Klock for their design leadership.
Jeremy Seanor’s work ultimately sealed the identity of the bike, adding the final layer that transformed it from a collection of parts into a cohesive, standout machine.
Built to Be Ridden
At its core, “Blood Hound” is a fully realized performance bagger built to be ridden, experienced, and pushed.
Every decision, from the polished motor to the aggressive stance, supports that purpose. It reflects not just the vision of Grey and Carleigh, but the capabilities of a team committed to doing things the right way.
This is what happens when craftsmanship, performance, and intention come together without compromise.
