Comments on: 1947 Indian Motorcycle Restoration

By: Anneke

Anneke — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 13:58:30 +0000

Dear Indianfans,about 2 years ago I saw (I think on Discovery) a documentary with Paul Teteul resaurating a beautiful Indian(or was it a Harley?) motorbike. I would like to see this docu again, but I cannot find it on Internet.
Please help me and thank you so much!

By: Gustav

Gustav — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 08:37:31 +0000

I just picked up a 48 Chief and I can’t wait to get it together!!
I visited Kiwi some months ago when I thought I buy one off his floor.
He wasn’t there that day, but a nice woman showed me and my buddy around.
I called there a few days ago after purchasing my 48 from Nor. Cal.,
and I asked about the cost of work at Kiwi.
$95/hr!!!!
I love Indians and motorcycling, but c’mon man, gimmie a f****n break!!
Does anyone know a restorer in So. CA who won’t see to it that you’re buried in a paupers grave for working on your bike?

By: Young Scout

Young Scout — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:35:42 +0000

Nice Chief.

Hey is it true that Kiwi Indian has sold its parts business to Klock cycles in South Dakota?

By: joe dirt

joe dirt — Wed, 20 May 2009 21:27:53 +0000

i met mike one time at davenport when i was considering buying an indian. he was very nice to me and spent a lot of time. i was fortunate enough to win a small state lottery and was able to buy a 47 chief basketcase. mike took many, many phone calls from me and always had the patience when i was struggling to restore my indian. i now have a beautiful indian that will be something rare and unique that i can hand down to my son.

By: Tami Smith

Tami Smith — Mon, 18 May 2009 19:44:42 +0000

Like I said, Yankiwi… that bike is pretty! You do what you do – beautifully!

By: Keith

Keith — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:57:58 +0000

As usual, an incredible job on an iconic Motorcycle!
I dig those Indians!

By: Mike Kiwi Tomas, Kiwi Indian M/C Co

Mike Kiwi Tomas, Kiwi Indian M/C Co — Sat, 16 May 2009 13:01:54 +0000

Classic Indians have a certain elegance about them. I started working on them over 30 yrs ago because I was attracted to them however they were the pre skirted fender era Indian’s. Over time the skirted fenders grew on me and as I aged I admired their graceful lines. After having designed and engineered over 2000 different part number for Indians and understanding the old timer engineers of what they were up to back in the day, I began to admire Briggs Weaver whom was Indian’s Chief designer. In his day he was a highly recognized designer but today no one knows of Brigg’s and what he truly brought to m/c’s and automotive design. Even amongst the auto designers of the day he was highly respected. Brigg’s Weaver is one of my hero’s and I hope through what I do I can bring attention to this great man. Thank you Mr weaver for bringing a true timeless peice of art to us to enjoy. Classic Indians, timeless beauty

By: Gina Woods

Gina Woods — Sat, 16 May 2009 06:54:18 +0000

Mike – Awesome job as always …..you bring history to life!!!
You’re work is bar none …you not only create a master piece, you create a LIFESYTLE!
Remeber When?

By: Lyle

Lyle — Sat, 16 May 2009 00:31:03 +0000

Or swing arm rear suspension around the same time.

By: Doc Robinson

Doc Robinson — Fri, 15 May 2009 22:18:18 +0000

… “do not find anything special” – what were you looking for? Indian versus Harley-Davidson spurred competition both in the marketplace and on the race track for many years. The Indian Motocycle Company’s contribution to US motorcycle history is immeasurable. As for “special”, Indian motorcycles were truly state-of-the-art from many years with innovations like the first electric starter on any motorcycle which was introduced in the 1914 model year. That is not a typo …1914 is correct. Onya Mike!

By: Grayhawk

Grayhawk — Fri, 15 May 2009 19:21:51 +0000

http://www.bikeexif.com/kiwi-indian-big-chief

Even though I like my big fendered 41 Chief and the late model restore above you gotta see pleasure in the linked hardtail pingback listed and pictured right above with leaf front end, cool.

Looks like a early Flathead on Steroids.

Grayhawk

By: Kiwi Indian Big Chief | Bike EXIF | Classic motorcycles, custom motorcycles and cafe racers

Fri, 15 May 2009 18:30:31 +0000

[...] spec sheet, it says, “Mufflers: We don’t need no stinking mufflers!” [Found via Cyril Huze Blog, photo by Michael [...]

By: Jeff Nicklus

Jeff Nicklus — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:57:03 +0000

Mike,

I don’t care what anyone here says …. if you need somewhere to store the bike or better yet someone to ride the bike ….. I AM YOUR MAN!

Over & Out,

Jeff

By: Grayhawk

Grayhawk — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:50:49 +0000

Madpuppy, My fast two finger typing skills sometimes entangle with my babbling, it is probably an age thing. No excuse we should all probably proof read what we write before we hit the submit button for more than one reason. Thanks lol

Grayhawk

By: Ski Maslowsk, Avon Tyres

Ski Maslowsk, Avon Tyres — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:08:40 +0000

As usual, anything Mike puts a wrench to comes out perfect. Well done Mr. Tomas!!

By: madpuppy

madpuppy — Fri, 15 May 2009 13:15:43 +0000

Grayhawk said : “IMHO opinion “. lol, I ask Grayhawk if he also says rpm per minuet ? LOL

By: Lyle

Lyle — Fri, 15 May 2009 12:39:43 +0000

They weren’t the “first” motorcycle in the USA or anywhere but in their day, they were one of the top brands. The nice thing about them is that you can still ride them on modern highways at speed just like a modern bike. Although they have some limitations, they are very rugged bikes. The swoopy fenders didn’t come until 1940, prior to that is when Indian had their real legacy.

By: Conrad

Conrad — Fri, 15 May 2009 07:08:37 +0000

Oh I am damn sure not saying I dont like the job he did in the restoration. I just do not understand the hype for Indians. Cool they were the “first” motorcycle and cool they have long, swoopy fenders and a spring seat as their trademark. Anyone could have done that, but I still find them to be ugly no matter how cool the mechanical side of them is,

Good Job though Mike!

By: jatinder pal

jatinder pal — Fri, 15 May 2009 05:11:48 +0000

Always wanted a Indian in my garage….but couldnt afford it..maybe very soon…anyways a very good looking bike.

By: Nicker

Nicker — Fri, 15 May 2009 02:33:33 +0000

Conrad,

RE:
“… do not find anything special about those bikes except the engines and seats…”

Ya gotta look at the whole package, not just the individual components..
And then realize that this scooter was designed as an OEM product. Not a custom project.

To me, that’s what makes it “special.”
It’s a piece of “Industrial Art” that was produce in a time when such things were…. “true Art.”

And Mike has captured and embellished that concept without destroying that magic.

It’s a….. “thing of beauty and a joy forever” …. for what it is, what it represents, and how it was executed.

Thanks Mike.

-nicker-

By: Ralph @ James Gaskets

Ralph @ James Gaskets — Fri, 15 May 2009 00:57:42 +0000

If we not careful, we’ll give Mike a big head! Seriously, anyone who knows Mike knows he’s humble as well as extreamly talented. Great Job, Mike… as always… See you this August…

By: rocky

rocky — Fri, 15 May 2009 00:37:24 +0000

Kiwi Mike is a legend in his own time and is always willing to help out an Indian uprising at BUB

By: Frank338

Frank338 — Thu, 14 May 2009 21:40:37 +0000

Very nice….I have a ’47 that needs some TLC, wonder what it cost to make it look like Kiwi’s?

By: Grayhawk

Grayhawk — Thu, 14 May 2009 17:37:00 +0000

There is still a lot of good original Indian people out there and Mike is defintely one of them putting tremendous effort and dedication to the brand. Great job. For those that did not see it look back at the late 30′s Indian replica in the archives also a KIWI effort.

Conrad give it a bit of time you will see more merit as time goes by.

IMHO opinion all up and coming bikers, builders, enthusiats, etc. should reflect through the past, live the present and envision the future. A lot of good ideals deemed from the past and new concepts a coming from young minds.

Worth all involved to make a trip to Barbers Museum, or Maggie Valley, WTT, or the many others and just see from wince it all came and progressed.

Again never saw a motorcycle I did not like something about.

Kudoos Mike and Company

Grayhawk

By: LENNY SINNET

LENNY SINNET — Thu, 14 May 2009 17:09:30 +0000

Mike another great motorcycle Looks good. Kiwi is the only company that has a true modern day manufactured Indian Motorcycle and the only company that deserves the name Indian. Keep up the good work…