Dakota

When the Native Americans first saw horses, they christened them "great dogs."

For several centuries, there was no other means of transport in the West, and the horse, imported by the first Spanish colonizers, became the symbol of movement across the vast, free, and wild spaces of the new frontier.

Later, it became the emblem of the adventurous wars between Native Americans and white settlers. Finally, it was replaced by the iron horse—the steam engine.

The motorcycle is undoubtedly the most successful reincarnation of the horse, brought to life by means of the steam horse itself.

It is no coincidence that the first American motorcycle factory is named Indian, and its flagship model is called Dakota, in homage to the epic era of endless plains and the wars between Native Americans, cowboys, and soldiers.

Unexpected Custom worked on a motorcycle from this legendary brand, drawing deep from the imagery of the Far West.
Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, Wild Bill, and General Custer are the main characters of this artwork, aptly named Dakota.

The characters, depicted with skull-like features, populate a long procession of symbols famous in the lore of the Far West and Native American cultures.

The stage is set by an intricate weave of dreamcatchers, Native headdresses, totem silhouettes, and baroque decorations in perfect colonial style...

...A long rattlesnake coils around the entire Indian Chieftain, starting from its front fender and running along the whole livery all the way to the majestic rear tail, where the head of a bison takes center stage.

The Dead Man's Hand is also present—the famous pair of aces and eights, in clubs and spades, which went down in history as Wild Bill's last card hand, assassinated in a saloon right after drawing it against his gambling rival.

All motorcycle parts were entirely laminated with copper leaf, then airbrushed using matte colors infused with pure mother-of-pearl powder.

Standing out amidst the bronze tones is a stained-glass transparent red, with its rich and intense reflections.

The glossy finish further enriches the brilliance and luminosity of this artistic masterpiece, thanks to its subtle, shifting golden iridescence.