http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2006/11/24/can-indian-motorcycles-be-saved/ All Things Custom Motorcycles. Sat, 06 Sep 2008 05:07:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2006/11/24/can-indian-motorcycles-be-saved/#comment-255 Pop Sun, 26 Nov 2006 13:30:43 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2006/11/24/can-indian-motorcycles-be-saved/#comment-255 I'm a 2003 Indian owner. Like any group of people, Gilroy owners are in different camps on this. There is certainly plenty of healthy skepticism. There is a lot of enthusiasm for the new machine as well. Many of us were part of the "study Group" that were asked to provide input to Julius (and at that time Dave Wright although he has since left the new venture). For some of us it was a high point to be included in the vision although my current understanding is that not many of our recommendations are making it into the new model. There are alternatives. Kiwi in SoCal makes a beautiful repop of the post war Chief (by another name) complete with an original looking engine and a bobber, again with a visually identical 80 inch flattie. Google it and you'll see that the machine is upgraded to deliver a reliable eyecatcher. However, if price is a consideration you are shopping in the wrong end of the mall. In Washington state, Rolling Thunder LLC has bought up significant castings and foundry runs of the Gilroy designed proprietary 100 CI mill, the PowerPlus 100. John White, the owner of Rolling Thunder, has fairly deep pockets from a successful manufacturing concern and a real passion for the PowerPlus. A group of some of the most highly regarded PowerPlus builders from the Gilroy era are working cooperatively with White to further develop and provide these engines (again under a different name). I have not been without a HD in the barn since 1972 I think, even now. Been through Nortons and Trumpets too. With the exception of vintage iron nothing gets the kind of looks and comments that the Chief gets. So, like so many other Indian riders I say "whatever, I got mine". I’m a 2003 Indian owner. Like any group of people, Gilroy owners are in different camps on this. There is certainly plenty of healthy skepticism. There is a lot of enthusiasm for the new machine as well.
Many of us were part of the “study Group” that were asked to provide input to Julius (and at that time Dave Wright although he has since left the new venture). For some of us it was a high point to be included in the vision although my current understanding is that not many of our recommendations are making it into the new model.
There are alternatives. Kiwi in SoCal makes a beautiful repop of the post war Chief (by another name) complete with an original looking engine and a bobber, again with a visually identical 80 inch flattie. Google it and you’ll see that the machine is upgraded to deliver a reliable eyecatcher. However, if price is a consideration you are shopping in the wrong end of the mall.
In Washington state, Rolling Thunder LLC has bought up significant castings and foundry runs of the Gilroy designed proprietary 100 CI mill, the PowerPlus 100. John White, the owner of Rolling Thunder, has fairly deep pockets from a successful manufacturing concern and a real passion for the PowerPlus. A group of some of the most highly regarded PowerPlus builders from the Gilroy era are working cooperatively with White to further develop and provide these engines (again under a different name).
I have not been without a HD in the barn since 1972 I think, even now. Been through Nortons and Trumpets too. With the exception of vintage iron nothing gets the kind of looks and comments that the Chief gets. So, like so many other Indian riders I say “whatever, I got mine”.

]]> http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2006/11/24/can-indian-motorcycles-be-saved/#comment-248 Ryan Sat, 25 Nov 2006 06:47:36 +0000 http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2006/11/24/can-indian-motorcycles-be-saved/#comment-248 It would be great to see the INDIAN come back. As a Harley owner and have friends with INDIANS it would be cool. What I wish them and Harley would both do is come out with limited edition Choppers. They would see like PS3. It would be great to see the INDIAN come back. As a Harley owner and have friends with INDIANS it would be cool. What I wish them and Harley would both do is come out with limited edition Choppers. They would see like PS3.

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