Classic Indian Chief motorcycle ready to roll

Latte Times ^ | Today | Carpenter

[jessduntno]

The classic Indian Chief motorcycle, prized for its fanciful fenders and an American heritage different from its much bigger rival, Harley-Davidson, is back and finally ready to roll in California.

First built in 1922 and in and out of production ever since, the Chief has been ridden over the years by actor Steve McQueen and other renegades possessing fame and fortune. Now it has been overhauled for the modern era.

Although motorcycle sales are down nationwide, the Chief is already a sought-after ride in 16 other states where it has been on sale since early this year.

The Chief just hasn't been available on the West Coast. But that's about to change this spring with the 2010 Chief, selling for $26,000 plus. This month the latest incarnation of the 108-year-old Indian brand announced the names of two of its five planned California dealerships -- one in Harbor City and the other in Fresno. -snip-

For a company to sell motorcycles in the state, California's Air Resources Board must provide an additional emissions certification to the one issued by the Environmental Protection Agency that allows a manufacturer's products to be sold in other states.

Indian secured its California emissions clearance only last week. Heese is confident that the motorcycles will arrive well before the planned April openings of California Harley-Davidson Indian Motorcycle Los Angeles in Harbor City and Indian Motorcycle Fresno, based out of a car dealership, Herwaldt Subaru.

"I can't wait to get these new Indians so I can put them on the lot and buy a new one myself," said Matt Herwaldt, 30, general manager of Indian Motorcycle Fresno. He owns a Harley but is "blown away by the quality, fit and finish of the new Indian. It's the Bentley of motorcycles."

[fish hawk]

LOL, just knowing those guys are still alive brightens up my Christmas.

[calex59]

You also need a flat head engine and hand shift to make it a real Indian Chief.

[calex59]

LOL! I agree. That aside, I really loved the movie “The Worlds Fastest Indian”, what a great story.

Yeah, but that was an Indian Scout, a 250 CC machine.

[MotorCityBuck]

That post made my day! LOL. Sonny Barger, Classic. Merry Christmas.

[calex59]

The real Indian Chiefs were great bikes. Flat head engines, hand shift(only 3 speeds), wonderful torque, great pulling power. They were better than the Harleys but never made the transition to over head valve engines. I had the chance to buy a 1954 Indian Chief in 1964, it had only 20,000 miles on it, saddle bags, full dress, for $150.00(that’s correct one hundred fifty dollars)and I turned it down because I had enough parts on hand to build an Indian Chief(and I did). I have been kicking myself every since for not buying that bike.

[La Enchiladita]

That gives me tingle up my leg.
LOL!!!

[tubebender]

All these pretty pictures and not a speck of mud or a ding anywhere...

[HerrBlucher]

According to wikipedia:

The Scout was introduced in 1920 with a 596 cc (37ci) engine. The engine size was increased to 745 cc (45ci) in 1927 in response to the popularity of the Excelsior Super X.[1][2]

[AuntB]

I am told this photo of my mother, c. 1937, is with an Indian Motorcycle.

[fish hawk]

Kinda like Urban Cowboys.

[jessduntno]

Like I said...just love the idea of seeing another old icon coming back to life...that’s all...

[Bender2]

Indians are very popular down here in Cowboy Country... Deadskins ain't!!!!!

Merry Christmas Y'all!!

[jessduntno]

Back atchya...Merry Christmas

[ABN 505]

You ever get the chance visit the Indian Motorcycle Museum in Springfield Mass.Lots of Bikes and History, Well worth the time and some of the old factory buildings are still intact.Plus the old Springfield Armory is right up the road if your into Guns and military history. Great place for a day trip.

[calex59]

In the 1950s(whether WiKi knows it or not)the Scout was a 500 CC machine, intended to compete with the British bikes of the day. I inadvertently typed 250 CC. I had a Scout frame and a friend of mine put a 60 Cubic Inch Harley in one, it was a he** of a bike, a one of a kind as far as I know.

[izzatzo]

Didn’t say it was not a beautiful machine(which it is); just said I can’t afford one(in an indirect way), and I’ll stay with one I can afford.

[blackie]

I’ve never owned an Indian, I’ve owned three Harleys, twenty other makes from Japan, England, Germany and Spain.

That covers my sixty years of owning and riding motorcycles and I’m still riding one. >:-}

[blackie]

There is no typical motorcyclist...

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

I needed to phrase it that way for an odd reason.

Long ago, the Detroit automakers tried polling their customers for what *they* wanted. However, they said they wanted small and sporty cars; yet that is not what they bought. They bought reliable sedans built for family use.

So the automakers did more polling, and asked their customers what they thought their *neighbors* wanted in a car. To which they answered “reliable sedans built for family use.”

Had I asked what motorcycle fans wanted in a motorcycle, they would likely honestly reply what they wanted in a motorcycle. But that is not the same as what they would *buy* in a motorcycle, when you need to really prioritize what you want from off the shelf motorcycles.

Make sense?

[Snurple]