 Thinking about it...
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Joined: Mar 2009
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Stickman Yogi
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OP
Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
It's for sale at a fair price. A 2003 Indian Spirit with only 1200 km. Anyone have any knowledge of this bike? 
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Thinking about it...
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 517
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 517 |
Many say don't buy a Gilroy bike. I agree with them.
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Re: Thinking about it...
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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OP
Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
Many say don't buy a Gilroy bike. I agree with them.
What's the story on the Gilroy Indians? Why the bad rap?
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Thinking about it...
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
If it's one of the earlier Gilroys before they started putting that dreadful PowerPlus motor in them it's okay. You'll know right away as the earlier bikes were just fancy frames with S&S motors and transmissions and all of that S&S stuff is well made and reliable. I'll bet the vibes get pretty stiff at speed though... The later Gilroys had a proprietary engine design named for the famed PowerPlus of the real Springfield Indians. Nicknamed the "bottle cap" they were poorly machined with lots of oil pump failures, out of tolerance parts and motors that shook worse that a chihuahua trying to pass a peach pit. It was this engine that killed the Gilroy effort. Blackhawk Motorworks has made a good living rebuilding these powerplants to a workable solution but that's a hefty price tag to add on to a used bike that's relatively new.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: Thinking about it...
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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OP
Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
That's right Ed, I heard about the failings of the PowerPlus engine... would definitely stay away from that. This one has the S&S which as we know is a good engine.
Since I posted I've had some limited time to do a bit of research and some are saying things like chrome and paint are not that good on SOME bikes. I'll have to be very cautious when I go ride over to the dealer (4 hour ride min) to test ride the thing.
What I'm drawn to is more power. I know we can beef ours up but I kinda want BIG POWER. Something that laughs at the mountain passes... then pours it on to PASS on the mountain passes. I drawn also to the classic look and appeal, thus my love affair with my Triumph. And lastly comfort... I want to be comfortable so I can ride all day without consequence.
The Indian Spirit has power, classic appeal and I'm hoping comfort. We'll see on Friday. While I'm there in the 'city' I'll have a good look at an R3. The Indian dealer is also the Triumph, BMW and Ducati so I can do it all under one roof. This should be interesting.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Thinking about it...
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,623 Likes: 2
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,623 Likes: 2 |
Yeah, beautiful bike, potential trouble. The NEW Indians (2009 forward) are much better-made. Huge torque, and other quality areas too. After my recent demo ride someone asked the factory rep if they were working on coming out with a Spirit and the rep swore that he could not confirm such a nasty rumor.   
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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Re: Thinking about it...
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 517
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 517 |
I needed to be more clear. Ed said it well.
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Re: Thinking about it...
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
What I'm drawn to is more power. I know we can beef ours up but I kinda want BIG POWER. Something that laughs at the mountain passes... then pours it on to PASS on the mountain passes. I drawn also to the classic look and appeal, thus my love affair with my Triumph. And lastly comfort... I want to be comfortable so I can ride all day without consequence.
That EVO clone will pump out about 15 more horses and 20 more ft/lbs of torque but it won't be all day comfortable. I've got a similar EVO and I know the vibes, that's one reason mine is being sold this weekend (finally). If it were me and I was hungering for big power I'd be looking at a Victory...now there's a bike that makes some serious torque straight from the factory, no additives.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: Thinking about it...
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 517
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 517 |
Why are you not looking at a Rocket?
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Re: Thinking about it...
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
Hijack warning: I can't speak for Keith but I could never own a bike that weighs 900 lbs. before I get on it. I'm ditching one this week that weighs 200 lbs. less because it is simply too heavy.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: Thinking about it...
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 318
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 318 |
Had a friend of ours that had the 2003 Chief Road Master with the Bottle Cap Engine... What a piece of crap. Everytime we would show up to ride with him it would not start or break down on the ride. He went through numerous starters and mods trying to make it run.
Ride like a Combat Fighter Pilot
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Re: Thinking about it...
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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OP
Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Hmmmm, the Gilroys are pretty much Killjoys by the sound of it. I'm still gonna ride over to the dealer tomorrow. (A GREAT excuse for a 8-10 hour ride). It's the same place I go to next week for a new Indian demo ride. I'll take the Gilroy out for a spin while there... but I'll also take a Rocket out. I want more powa!!!
The dealer also has a 2001 R1150RT BMW for sale which I've always liked but it sure is a homely critter. Time will tell how this one plays out.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Thinking about it...
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
The Indian dealer is also the Triumph, BMW and Ducati so I can do it all under one roof. This should be interesting.
Hey Keith, I'll bet that would be Southwest Motorrad in Kelowna, huh...err...eh?!
Well, seein' as how you'll be ridin' those 4 hours to get there anyway, do me a favor(notice the last of that superfluous-u there, ol' buddy)and stop by Ma's house and tell her Happy Mothers Day for me, would ya?! 
Oh, and BTW, and back on point...I'd listen to Ed here, 'cause those S&S motors DO shake, rattle and roll just like the Evos do. If I'm not mistaken, the S&S motors are bolted directly to the frames of those Gilroy Indians, and are NOT rubber mounted like H-D Dynas are to their frames, and I remember every M/C magazine which did a writeup on the Gilroy Indians when they first hit the market made mention of their lack of isolating their vibration from the rider.
(...but see what you think when you get there, and while you're ridin' it to Ma's house!) 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Thinking about it...
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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OP
Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
Hey Keith, I'll bet that would be Southwest Motorrad in Kelowna, huh...err...eh?!
You got 'er Dwight! And I can stop by your Ma's place for ya ol' buddy but you need to get your butt up here and see her yourself! What's up with that?
Dang... see what you made me do? Hijack my own thread is what I did... so now, back to Killjoys and their pros and cons (and I have yet to hear anything positive other than they look good).
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Thinking about it...
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
It's gonna be a pretty busy summer for me, ol' buddy. In a couple of weeks I've got a ride up to Colorado planned, and then in late June and early July, Bengt[piper] and his wife Anki are flyin' out here from Sweden to see the Grand Canyon and points west like San Diego, L.A. and Vegas. And so, right now, it kind'a looks like the earliest I'll be flyin' up there to BC will be maybe in August or there about....err...or there "aboat"! (...so, if you get that Indian, I'll maybe be able to see it in person around late summer or early fall)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Thinking about it...
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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OP
Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Sounds like a great summer!!
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Thinking about it...
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 517
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Aug 2007
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I did almost 14000 on my 07 America in one season before I got my R3. I don't find the size to much of an issue at all. As for the Beemer, rear drive failures are a bit of an issue with them-check the Iron Butt competition reports. Not all, but be aware. Also, MCN has a GREAT tech article on the paralever bearing rebuilt-the OEM is needle bearings and prone to excessive wear on some older bikes.
As for an R3 weight and Victory weight-both carry it well. I've been on two older Victory bikes-they are well made.
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Re: Thinking about it...
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
If I'm not mistaken, the S&S motors are bolted directly to the frames of those Gilroy Indians, and are NOT rubber mounted like H-D Dynas are to their frames, and I remember every M/C magazine which did a writeup on the Gilroy Indians when they first hit the market made mention of their lack of isolating their vibration from the rider.
Exactly my point. No iso mount, just bolts - metal to metal.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: Thinking about it...
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
I don't find the size to much of an issue at all. As for an R3 weight and Victory weight-both carry it well. I've been on two older Victory bikes-they are well made.
I'll bet you have a paved entrance to your garage/shop. I don't and the ground gets really soft; so much so that I lost the America last autumn when turning into the entrance. My situation demands a bike that I can actually pick up from a fall so weight is an issue for me. Otherwise I'd have an '09 Road King parked next to the America keeping the 64 Trophy parts company...
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: Thinking about it...
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 517
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 517 |
Never thought of that. I do travel over a long gravel drive but my garage has a concrete approach.
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Re: Thinking about it...
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Gilroy was here! 
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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