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It appears that Indian is (once again) begining to get up and to accept reservations. $1000 to hold a chief.

http://www.indianmotorcycle.com/

Wish 'em Luck.

-TM

They have got my luck, I like there machines, was tempted to put a deposit down but alas they are not selling over here until 2009

I'd love to own one but they're a little out of my price range. I hope they make it this time and maybe I can buy one used someday.

if they were only 400lbs lighter

I wish em luck, btw how did those guys out west trying to revive Norton make out? Anything news worthy going on with that?

Great news for Indian, but I'm still holding out for Triumph's big twin cruiser.

The Indian Scout was a really sweet-looking bike. I'm not sure if the Chief blows my dress up as much as a Scout.

You might as well just flush a grand down the toilet. They'll go bust and take your $$$ with them!

Matt,

Was there not a news item about a Motorcyle company move a production line to one of the empty Ansonia Copper building in the valley a couple of weeks ago, I remember hearing they plan on hiring 300 people.

last i knew, a British holding co.(the one that owns Chris Craft boats) had gotten the rights and was building a complex in Carolina someplace. i am under the impression that they will be useing the Indian Mtr. that was developed in the last yr. of building them. i would like to think that if Chris Craft owns it now, there is a good chance everything will be ok?? kinda like Victory with polaris??

It sure would be nice if they would do OK. I would imagine the buisness model will be similar to Victory. They seem to do okay on (relatively) small volume in the same kind of price range.

It would seem to me that if I was in the market for a ginormous dresser to ride accross the American west (And I'm not- taking the Speedy west this summer), this would be a viable alternative. Any thing that is an alternative to Harley in that market is okay with me. Plus it would be cool if they built a police variant- Old school Highway patrol...

Also only using the 100 CU motor makes the Rocket III look that much more outlandish. The Rocket should come with a tattoo that says "Kneel Before ZOD!"

-TM

Victory has a huge corporate backing tho (polaris).

You can bet Indian has huge backing as well. Considering how this group revived the nearly dead in the water brand ChrisCraft, I would bet they will achieve more success with this venture than other's have in the past.

Time of course will tell us all. I for one wish them success.

Well if they have the money behind them to take a loss for the first few years. And build a good product. It should take off. At least around here. I know a few old timers that would love to have one. None for me thanks.

Now it gets weird. I just went to their web site to try and findout some details. Just about none, only thing i could find out was will have what they are calling the Powerplus 100 engine EFI. No colours (but I'm assuming red or black only ) weight,wheeel base? tranny? final drive? options?
Not even a final selling price.

So basiclly they are asking for a $1000 deposit for a bike you know nothing about, for a price to be determined later? Yeah ok I'll order 5 I think.

I say by July '09 you'll be able to buy their assets at auction.

Hey John, It's going to be an assembly plant for Chinese MC's and scooters. They said they're hiring 1000 people. Maybe I'll apply...

Excelsior/Henderson started taking deposits shortly before starting up production shortly before closing up shop. At least they managed to actually ship some bikes first.

i hope it allw orks out for indian and they take a bigger chunk of harley sales than victory so maybe harley will have to be a little more competative in there pricing

Frank

Nathen,

I could be wrong, but I think the "PowerPlus" motor was basically an S&S(Harley clone) derivative bottom-end with a reworked top-end(a semi-panhead look) and round cylinder barrels. Nothing really new in concept, but asthetically pleasing.(at least to me)

And fortunately, I have to agree with Brian. Without VERY deep pockets, and a wide range of models, they're almost sure to go the way of Kenny Dreer's dream of a revived Norton.(which were ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS, BTW)

What I want to know is why they're concentrating on a V-Twin?(EVERYBODY'S marketing those...heck, even the KOREANS now!)

How's about looking into that Swedish(I think) dude who's had that updated Indian-4(named the Dakota...he couldn't get the Rights to the Indian name here in the States), up an running for a couple years now, into mass market?

Why basically be like every other crusier manufacturer out there(except You-Know-Who's Vertical-Twin) pumping out V-Twins, when you'd have a readily available "heritage" in the 4-cylinder market with an Indian-4???

Cheers,
Dwight

Stew,

Have to admit...you're probably right.

As I've said many times around here....Seems the subject of "history" isn't taught very well in these here United States, huh?!

Yep! I'd like to have a nickel for every neophyte wannabe "biker" I've ever heard mouth the following...."I'm gonna gets me a REAL motorcycle...a HARLEY! What's this here Triumph thing you keep takin' about, anyway?"

Well "son", it's called HOMEWORK...especially HISTORY homework. Check it out. It just might save you thousands of dollars, AND get cha a better motorcycle in the bargain! AND, if it's ATTENTION you're seekin', ain't nothin' like pullin' into some location and watchin' all the "cognoscenti" FLOCK to your bike!

Cheers,
Dwight
("cognoscenti"?...well son, you'll have to look THAT word up in ENGLISH Class....THIS here's the HISTORY class, boy!)

Good points all, Thanassis.

I really DO wish them well, but the "glass-half-empty guy" in me tells me that somehow this latest attempt is doomed.

One of the most important aspects of any sales success is always going to be the dealership network. After what happened the last time with the Gilroy CA operation, I would suspect that finding enough people willing to invest their funds into THAT portion of the operation will be a tough find.(could be wrong...hope I am)

Cheers,
Dwight

John,
are you talking about the Farell property?

Dwight,
Indian used S&S at the beginning of the production, but they developed their own PowerPlus 100 (named after an older Indian motor the PowerPlus) for the 2003 & 2004 model years. The PowerPlus 100 motors weren't built by S&S they were actually built by Power Assembly Solutions of Livonia Michigan. The PowerPlus 100 put out about 68 HP at 5200 RPM.

Google is a wonderful thing! It's a lot smarter than I am.

Mert,

Not sure, I just heard it on my way out one night. Matt sent me the following:

Hey John, It's going to be an assembly plant for Chinese MC's and scooters. They said they're hiring 1000 people. Maybe I'll apply...

Come on Shari, we'll work the night shift there.

About two weeks ago, V-Twin TV had a show about "Brass Ball Bobbers" another custom bike bulder in OK city. The motors were what caught my attition, they have a "Power Plus 100". They must have bought up a supply at the Indian plant closing. Google-ing found alot of info on the motor. R&D by NASCAR builder ROUSH, and bilt by a supplier in MI.

ROUSH

Frank

I just had lunch with a state ag employee. Of course the dicussion dwealt on motorcycles. Seems her grandfather has 60-65 Indians at his place. I was blown away. I asked if her and her husband wanted one, I would volunteer to fly to Illinois and ride one back. Upon his death, they are going to a museum somewhere.

Then I was at a Cattlemen's meeting a few weeks back and met a gal with a rebuilt 70's Norton Commando. Apparantly went on a 2K mile ride a few years ago. People are nuts if you ask me.

Doesn't anyone own Harley Davidson products anymore??

JH

For many years I thought that the only motor that belonged on a bike was a V Twin. Then I found Triumphs again with the parallel twin. It took me awhile to really appreciate the parallel twin again, it brought back the fun factor. Than I found the V 4 motor on a tourer. I really don't think I will be going back to a V Twin motor. It was a difficult journey for me a first, but I finally unbranded myself and pulled away from the masses. Its sometimes really difficult to have a open mind and except the advances in this world, but look at the performance gains since the old thumpers were made!

If the guy with 60 Indians is in Lemont, Illinois I was in his welding shop many years ago. Indians everwhere you'd look. The guy was close to 80 years old 25 years ago, so he might have been the great-grandfather: Cool old guy, was friends with Steve McQueen. If it's not Lemont, thanks anyway for bringing that memory up.
Mike Sr.