Indian Scout Wall of Death

Most bike enthusiasts have at least heard of the ‘Wall of Death’ motorcycle stunt shows, even if they’ve never seen one in action. The Wall of Death has an undeniable “cool” factor that continues to resonate well beyond its golden era and has been brought to the forefront again with a series of bikes created by Johnny Gee and the team at Antique Motorcycles in Victoria.

Tough Stunts
The concept of riding a bike horizontally at high speed around what’s essentially an oversized wooden barrel - using centrifugal force to hold bike and rider in place – dates back more than a century. Much more dangerous than they look (there were numerous injuries and deaths for both participants and spectators), these stunt shows started in the USA and peaked in popularity during the 1930s, when more than 100 travelling Wall of Death carnivals (also known as silo-dromes) toured the US, with around 50 in action over the same period in the UK and Europe. 
The first noted appearance of a Wall of Death in Australia was in 1928, while the best-known local performers were husband and wife team, Jim and Una Langmead. Proof of the inherent danger of the stunt was Una’s death following a Wall of Death accident at Melbourne’s Luna Park in 1952.
By that stage, the Wall of Death was starting to decline in popularity, to the point where today, only around fifteen touring shows are still active worldwide.

Indian First, Aussie latest
In the Wall of Death’s heyday, Indian’s Scout was the most popular bike with these daredevils, thanks to its light weight, manoeuvrability and low centre of gravity. In fact, some of today’s surviving stunt shows still use C1920s Scouts for the same reason.
But we can thank Johnny Gee of Antique Motorcycles for bringing the Wall of Death concept into the 21st Century and applying it to an all-new Indian Scout. 
While the new Scout is already a great machine and suitable for all kinds of riding, Johnny reckons it also lends itself very well to being modified; a theory he’s put into practise with his ‘Wall of Death’ Indian Scout custom that debuted at the Melbourne Moto Expo last November.
“I wanted to pay tribute to Indian’s legacy of Wall riding,” Johnny explained of the custom he built from an MY16 Scout. “Indians famously rode the silo dromes all around America and Europe, with great feats of human skill - balancing on a motorcycle, riding with no hands, backwards and sideways - sometimes even with sidecars on and a real lion on board!”

Building the Wall
What started as a one-off drew a lot of attention from both the public and the industry, with Indian Motorcycle Australia so impressed with what Johnny Gee and his team created that they commissioned a series of Wall of Death replicas, which are going to customers and Indian dealerships worldwide.
“We had a great time building these custom Scouts,” Johnny said. “We put a lot of effort into the detail and the paint is world class, done by famous Australian auto re-finisher, Shane Abbott.”
Better known for his work with drag cars, high-end hot rods for the likes of Boyd Coddington, and helmet designs for V8 Supercar drivers, Abbott’s paint really brings each bike to life.
“We decided to run with an Evel Knievel Americana style colour scheme which jumps right off the page - as you can see in the pictures.
“We wanted to use high-end componentry, too, and it doesn’t get much higher than Rizoma. The Italian company makes parts with no compromise, so we were happy to use their products wherever possible.”
Each replica bike’s lighting was also upgraded to LED throughout.

Todd’s Mods
The solo seat on each Wall of Death replica Scout is a custom leather creation specially made in the USA and finished off with black chrome springs. It looks right and fits the build nicely, but getting the footboards right proved to be much trickier.
“Initially, we made the footboard rail in-house out of plate steel - quite heavy and a little agricultural, but an outstanding effort with a simple milling machine and a mig welder. 
“But we wanted to lift the bar, so we had a word to Todd Kelly who invited us to his Nissan Motorsport headquarters in Braeside.”
Todd’s staff had the footboard rails CAD drawn and CNC milled to the desired specifications out of billet aluminium, which were then anodised and fitted with period Indian footboards to give the bike that perfect flat-tracker feel. 
“They need to be seen in the flesh to be believed,” Johnny said. “Thanks to the boys at Nissan Motorsport for an outstanding effort.” 

Bars and Pipes and Shocks
To go with the new foot positioning, the handlebars needed attention, too. So, after trying out several options, a set of Pro-Taper motocross bars were selected. Johnny says they give the rider total control and a balanced riding position.
“For the exhaust system, we bent up a set of drag pipes with perforated baffles. They keep the bike light and racy and let you hear the true essence of the Scout’s liquid cooled v-twin.”
While Antique MC’s original Wall of Death original was converted to a hardtail and will actually be used in silo-drome stunt shows, the replicas retain their rear suspension, but with a twist.
“The bike simply sat too high with the original suspension,” Johnny explained. “So, a trip to Steve Cramer Products and a long chat saw us settle on a set of Ohlins shocks, custom-made specifically to our needs. Now the bike sits low and handles the way it should!”

Limited Death
There is a very limited number of these Wall of Death Indian Scout replicas available - only 50 worldwide, which includes one unit for display and later sale at every Indian dealership in Australia. 
Each replica will be individually numbered and come with a signed certificate of authenticity. If you saw and fell in love with the original Wall of Death from Antique M/C, here’s your chance to own what’s sure to become a collectable piece of Indian history.
Check the Wall of Death Indian Scout replicas out at your nearest Indian Motorcycle dealer. Be quick or you’ll miss out!

Words and Photos: courtesy of Antique Motorcycles

Antique Motorcycles

Founded in 1988, Antique Motorcycles was born out of Johnny Gee’s passion for motorcycles. The creator and driving force behind the Victorian business still leads the team at Antique Motorcycles today.
Located in Cheltenham (around 45 minutes southeast of Melbourne’s CBD), Antique Motorcycles source motorcycles from around the world, but predominantly the USA and predominantly classic and vintage bikes. Shipments of new bikes arrive weekly, so there’s always new stock to check out.
Antique Motorcycles is also a dealership for new Indian motorcycles, with the professional service centre capable of handling everything from regular servicing to full restorations.
The latest addition is the Naked Racer bar and café, where you can get a meal and a drink while surrounded by more than 250 motorcycles. Licensed and open for breakfast and lunch six days a week, Friday nights add a tapas bar and live music, too. Check it out – you’ll be glad you did.

Antique Motorcycles 
1 Grange Road, Cheltenham, VIC
Ph: (03) 9583 9922 (0418 205 575 for Naked Racer enquiries)
<a href="www.antiquemotorcycle.com.au">www.antiquemotorcycle.com.au </a>