I modified my 2001 Centennial Scout into a tribute bike to my grandparents -

And wish I had the expertise to do a ground up build m- But I know my limitations and am satisfied with the result.

Still - It would be kool to see what you come up with………..

For anyone else who missed it - Indian Motorcycle is heading to SoCal after they leave Sturgis.

They will be at Corona Indian on Sat Aug 16th and Cooks Corner on Sun Aug 17th - Both days from 10am to 5pm. (Google them for addresses…)

And an open invite to our Indian riders party on Sat night - Bratwurst/UFC/poker/cigars/beer/broads/booze - And plenty of room to stay for those who like the beer and booze…..

I’ll post the address if anyone is interested - Or just meet us at Corona Indian…………..

Thanx, D

I stated an OPINION.. saying Jesse is ONE of the most talented metal workers out there and of that the top or damn close in the industry. As a friend of his I follow a lot of his work and I personally feel that my OPINION should not be discredited or bashed on by anyone.

I do agree there are plenty of skilled metal workers out there and yes some better than him. But like stated he is ONE of the most skilled. So please let me make MY opinion. Everyone has their own opinions. Just like Keith likes Indians and I dont. That is our right as Americans.

I build on occasion lol.. My father is Jeff Nicklus, he owns Desperado Motorcycles and Jeff Nicklus Customs.

I build my own bikes when I get a chance here and there. But with college in the way I really dont get a chance anymore, just build up a lot of ideas in my head for future projects which I hope to start sooner or later.

I am sorry too. But to be quite honest the comment infuriated me and my fathe rhad to tell me about it first. I never read this stuff anymore so I was PISSED at first site. I apologize for the rudeness of my comment to you but I do appreciate all bikes. Just am upset about the situtation and name.

Dude, I do believe you went over the top with this. I know why you were pissed about with the “elitist” comment and I know your temper is almost as bad as your Fathers, however, Keith apologized and you will be a bigger man if you accept the apology and move on.

As for Indian going away, maybe. The fact of the matter is they are back and deserve a chance. If they build crap like they (the former management) did in Gilroy then they need to be taken out back and shot in the head and the Indian named should be sent to Shangri-La never to be seen or heard from again.

I remember a story you Father told me several years ago about a conversation he and Donnie Smith had had years earlier …… Donnie told your Dad to be true to himself and build what he likes and _uck everyone else. If people like what you build they will buy your bikes, if not you can always be a Greeter at Wal-Mart”. Sounds like good advice to me and I believe that is one reason your Father has been so successful in this industry.

So I say to you, young Mr. Nicklus, be true to yourself and carry on!

Gar Out

RE:
“…Jesse James …. He is probably the most skilled metal worker in this industry…”

A very skilled promoter….. Yes
.
The most skilled metal worker…. No.

Reality check:, go look out on the net at some of the hand hammers aluminum GP tanks being offered. Polished to a high finish, no room for any bondo covered flows there……

RE:
“…. [Jesse] builds what HE WANTS not what he thinks people will want…”

Yes! …..There your spot on. And that’s part of his promotional skill.

RE:
“… Kill the [Indian] name let it live with a strong history not come back and put an even bigger stain on the name …”

Why???
What about Triumph?
They made a credible comeback from bad management.
So, should Triumph have been “killed off” too….???

Le-me suggest that rather than focusing on “brand-politics” (people or products), try focusing on “the business case” (what works and what sells).

Each of us may “like” a certain parson or thing as a matter of individual taste. But our personal preferences have little relevance to anyone else. Sorta like the kid in a car with the stereo set on “ear-bleed.” Like, everyone else should be impressed with the moronic drivel that he thinks passes for music.

However, what is relevant to each of us is the value in a person, product, or process.
The current Indian effort looks to be well executed, so far anyway. No matter which brand you prefer, if the Indian effort works, it’ll be a valuable lesson for all of us.

And just so, regarding the “brand politics” of custom metal work, don’t discount the metal working abilities of thousands of other craftsman who are as good or better than JJ.

A boom box blasting out the rantings of so many angry Aborigines beating on a hollow log, doesn’t sound like music to me. But that’s a personal preference. The issue is, does it sell….???

Just a though.
-nicker-

I don’t care about politics of the past or misunderstandings or bad feelings - You owe Dave a simple, private, apology for this post…

Thanx, D

“You don’t jump into the market with a 40k bike and tell everybody that your bike is better than the rest of the pack…..it’s insulting….and it makes you look stupid.”

Poor delusional Superman. Maybe it’s brought on by jealousy - Maybe just ignorance.

Find a quote where anyone from KM-IMC bashes the competition. Find any quote where they mention the 2009 Chief is better than HD. All quotes point to building the best bike possible with the highest standards - And having seen and ridden them - I agree.

Is the quality of the drivetrain and shifting of the transmission above HD standards? Yes.

Is the paint equal to HD? Yes.

Are HD’s handbuilt by 6 person teams? No.

Are the brakes superior to HD’s. Yes

And the list goes on………..

So you make your choice. $15 to $18k for one of a few hundred thousand barebones HD’s or $40k for a limited production Chief.

If my 2003 Chief wasn’t better than all of the six HD’s I’ve owned - I’d have gotten another HD. And the 2009 is better than my upgraded 2003. First hand experience and knowledge at work here - Not some lame blahblahblahblah…

Will I be buying a 2009? No. Although it is a better overall machine - I’ve got too much sweat and bloody knuckles my 2003 to make the jump.

Some Indian riders made other choices. A good friend traded his 2001 Chief for a new Electra Glide…

Until you have actually seen and ridden the 2009 Chief - Maybe you should keep an open mind about the value that comes with a $40k bike.

You might see it and ride it and still have the same opinion - But at least it will be accurate and not simply guessing.

Until then - You have been demoted to Robin…

And remember Robin - The 2009 chief is not marketed or intended to be in everyones garage. Only a few will want one bad enough to buy one - And only a few will be able to afford this motorcycle at this price point.

Same as the Gilroy era - Same as the Springfield era - And now - Same as the Kings Mountain era…

You and I can stomp and blahblahblah all we want - But the truth remains that the market will decide if it is worth $40k. You have already decided to vote no without riding it and seeing it. I have decided to vote no since I already have something very similar.

I guess we’ll see what other riders think in the coming months and years…

Thanx, D

BEFORE YOU GO STARTING SOME SHIT YOU MAY REALLY WANT TO GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT. I WOULD OWN A HARLEY OVER AN UGLY ASS INDIAN ANY DAY OF THE WEEK. EVERY MOTORCYCLE GETS LOOKS AS THEY GO DOWN THE ROAD. WHETHER BE PEOPLE LOOKING IN DISGUST OR PEOPLE LOOKING TO SEE WHAT IT IS, EERYONE LOOKS MAN. DONT BE TOO NAIVE.

SO AS PER YOUR COMMENT: “bottom line is if you’re tired of the tired Harley, but don’t want the bland BMW or Honda, and appreciate Americana..then The Indian is they way to go. Every where I ride I get attention on either my Chief or my Spirit. More than that, I know I’ve seperated from the heard…unlike Conrad, I’m no elitist..I appreciate all motorcycles and I’ve been riding since I was 16 and I’ve come to appreciate the heritage of Indian Motorcycles.”

I have been riding since way before 16 and I appreciate all bikes. I mean come on Keith, motorcycles are paying my college tuition! BUT as for Indian I have very HARSH feelings. They keep the name here over and over again for what? Them to go down the tubes and owe everyone money which in turn raises the prices for all of the other people in the industry? Thats stone cold fucked.

NOW as per your comment: “and build a quality product”

Indian does NOT build a quality product. Go back and look at warranty records fromt he very few years they were in production last time around. They had a 41% warranty rate. So do you realize that out of the some 12,000 bikes they built that roughly 5000 of them went back to the dealer/manufactuer for work because their bikes are such a QUALITY piece of shit. Did you never have the problem with the Power Plus powerplant? Or do you have the Pre-Power Plus engine? Do you even know why they have the Power Plus engine? I DO.

I already read the articles in magazines about every bike, every how to, every tech article and every add. I want to know everything as I am a knowledge freak about cars, trucks, boats, planes and bikes. Maybe you should scan back to 1 of 4 issues that I have read that discuss the inferior PowerPlus powerplant. The 100″ Power Plus was built weaker than any other motor ever produced by a standing manufactuer. Does that tell yous omething about QUALITY Keith?

The main issues with these powerplants, PROBLEMS OTHER MOTORS DO NOT HAVE SUCH AS TP,S&S,Harley (Yes I said Harley, BMW, Honda, Suzuki, RevTech, etc. etc. etc, were the lack of quality parts used in the production. An overall look at a Power Plus 100″ shows how many problems there really are inside. The poorly done machine work matched with the shitty NON QUALITY parts and the lack of R&D shows exactly what Indians attention to detail they really have. They are NOT quality, they are not here to keep a good name. Just like most people out there they are here for money.

So as me being here as an ELITIST, as per Keiths word for me, I must prove you wrong. I love bikes, I hate Indians and I hate BMW bikes. I like some Harleys but I dont like them for looks I like them for shear appeal of the sound (V-Rod). I like some “crotchrockets”, I like all of Rookes bikes, I like Joe Martins stuff to a certain degree and same for Eddie Trotta. Jesse James has my respect more than anyone else aswell. He is probably the most skilled metal worker in this industry and he builds what HE WANTS not what he thinks people will want. Fred Kodlin (I want to meet him!!!! still have not to this day that I am aware)as a custom builder he has some of the best designs I have ever seen. He uses every type of powerplant and does not care about what others say, thats amazing. Buell, hell of a bike and hell of an idea yet lacking in the looks department the bike is still very well constructed and very well laid out with every aspect of riding whether be curves, straights or long distance. All of them have my respect and oneday I hope to own 1 of each bike brand out just to show my love for bikes (of all kinds). Yes once I am out of college and on with my business career.

Indian does NOT have my respect though. They have kept coming back wishing of the cash dreams everyone from the past has recived until Gilroy. But I think its time they let the dying dog sleep. Kill the name let it live with a strong history not come back and put an even bigger stain on the name than Gilroy already did. They should stick to selling antique parts and shirts and not try and “UPDATE” to new technology. You can not keep the classic Indian look and expect quality guys.

So, I am sorry that you think im an “ELITIST” Keith. Maybe you should get to know someone before you make such judgement calls on someone character. This is a damn blog for Christs sake not talking in person to where you can calculate a some what correct since of character.

Have a great day to every motorcyclist who reads this. Be safe and watch out for the idiots on the road.

Over and out
Conrad

First of all…I was one of the three that visited factory in February and reported on the bikes. It was me that sat on a pre-production bike and I also reported bikes were on the dyno being run and tested and they had already been running them to test tranny, clutch, brakes, etc. Nobody was making vrooom noises unless that was the sound of you giving a hummer to your master.

Secondly,……Blackdog was in a serious bike accident not of his fault. he was hit by a road rage driver. It is a very serious accident that he is lucky to be alive and nearly lost his leg over the incident. Your sarcasm and slights and bitter comments towards KM and others is one thing…but to ridicule and make light of someone that got hit by an asshole in a cage during a fit of rage….that the doctors thought would lose his leg…and has months of healing and PT before he can get mobile and back near where he was…if ever…is the lowest fucked up and piece of shit action a person can do. I am even surprised you would joke and lament over a persons agony and near loss of limb due to bitter self promoting attitudes and your own personal vendetta against anyone that does not follow your lonely trail.

Get a life….criticize KM all you want…..but also share the same critical eye and questioning towards Crazy Horse. The claim was KM would never build a bike and CH would have them out in a year. How many dealerships for CH have you visited….how many CH vin bikes have you heard running or been sold.

For the record…you are not welcome at any event I am a host or co-host. I can ride and drink with about anyone but for you there is no more forgiveness with your most recent comments concerning Daves accident. Even assholes have compassion to those seriously hurt by others…and you just proved your are the lowest of low with your comments and lack of compassion for his pain and suffering. Even with all the comments and negative attacks against me by you….i still would not wish that accident upon you or anyone else. Like I said….you are not welcome and are the ONLY person I have ever said that to in my entire life.

Fuck You.

Oh–the pencil deal?
Kind of a joke to the “in crowd”