The Journey Of Dochaki Lokhand

Guest Post by Anupam Singh Parihar, Founder & Owner - Dochaki Customs

The name itself defines the bike, “Lokhand” which is very commonly used in Maharashtra and found its root in Devnagri simply means Loha or Metal.

We built the Lokhand from scratch in a little more than a month’s time for India Bike Week 2016 Biker Build off Competition. We didn’t win it but it gave us a very big opportunity to create something I always wanted to build.

Since my childhood, I was always inspired by the Indian Army, wanted to join it and tried various times but failed. So I decided to build something which shows our respect and captures the essence of Indian Army. Lokhand is our humble tribute and deepest respect to Indian Army and all the brave soldiers who have laid down they lives guarding us.

While designing Lokhand we kept in mind the armored look of all military vehicles and equipments. Shapes are very geometrical yet very strong, all the parts on an army vehicle are purpose based, so we also try to incorporate that philosophy in our bike.

The frame of bike is made out of 8mm thick cold rolled steel, two metal plates are welded together by steel pipes to provide the space for a Royal Enfield cast iron engine, these tubes also helps the frame to flex during turning and riding. The frame itself acts as the chassis as well as outer body panels which covers the battery and other electrical parts. The frame has holes on both sides through which the pipes are welded, it helps the frame to reduce the weight as well gives the feel of bullet-made holes.

Hand crafted fuel tank is also part of the frame; it’s the fourth removable member of the chassis which means here is no separate backbone on this frame. Petrol tank is uniquely designed to give a feel of gun-barrel and somewhere took inspiration from our fighter planes. 

Petrol cap is made out of solid metal billet shaped and painted in the Indian Paratroopers Beret color.

Front forks are inverted springer forks which are racked at an angle of 32-degrees giving an overall long look to the bike. Both front and rear tyres house disc brakes. The headlight is equipped with the metal grill to protect the it from any unwanted damage, Handle Bars are designed to go with the flow and lines of the overall bike, speedometer is placed outside on sides, for better visibility and overall raw and functional approach.

The tail light itself is housed inside the chassis just below the rider’s seat. Handmade front and rear mudguards have been designed to complete the muscular look of the bike.

The complicated 4 chamber box type exhaust system is hidden within the frame exposing just 4 small pipes on both the sides just ahead of the foot controls and generates a very subtle rumbling sound. The exhaust system is designed in such a way that it does not get very hot, and the rider’s feet do not get affected by the gases. The Wrap provided by good people of 'Biker Soul' further helps to reduce the heat and also gives a fitting covered all weather look to the bike.  

We used a 1985 Royal Enfield cast iron engine for the Lokhand. Our in house master technician Wahid Bhai pumped up the old engine to balance the effect of bigger tyres. We have also converted the existing wet clutch system into a dry clutch system for the better alignment of chain sprockets without disturbing the balance of the bike.

Color scheme for Lokhand is matt Military Green with Golden Strips resembling the colors of the Indian Army. 

Everybody at Dochaki worked tirelessly for many long day and nights for this project, even we were working till the very last minute before the unveiling of the Lokhand at India Bike Week 2016 in Goa and it was all worth it.

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