The calender is always difficult with heaps of rides or rallies, recently a few people requested that we review the amount of  rallies we have as four a year to reflect each season. This can conflict with other clubs or events you go to elsewhere, so you must make a decision to support your club or not, it is hard these days as there is so many clubs vying for the long weekends in the year so sometimes you may not go to a IIRA rally. The reason entry forms are on the site or listed in the Events Area are so we can get a gauge on the logistics of what you want in a weekend, so please tell us early & not the week before the Rally. We have had two approaches for us to hold a event in the Swan Hill area & another in Gippsland do you want more or less and will you support us if we decide to run them? Moving on the Indian Street Sweeper is obviously not a fast worker judging by the rear sprocket size still I would love to have it in Autumn (Fall, for our American cousins).

Polaris-owned Indian Motorcycles has released the first solid price for its new range of Chiefs, which will start at $28,995 on the road for the basic model.

Several models are expected, but there is no further info, yet, on what will be available.

Meanwhile the company says it will deliver the first Australian examples before the end of the year.

The company says: “Staying true to its heritage, the revival of the Indian Motorcycle brand will debut with the introduction of the all-new Indian Chief. First introduced in 1922, the legendary Indian Chief is historically the brand’s most popular selling model and is widely recognized by motorcycling enthusiasts around the world as one of the most iconic motorcycles ever produced. The Indian Chief is the flagship of the brand’s 112-year product lineup, and it has come to proudly represent the spirit of the Indian Motorcycle brand.

“‘We are thrilled to make today’s important announcements, it is roughly 65 years since Indian Motorcycle was last officially sold in Australia and to physically launch the all-new Indian Chief simultaneously with the USA in Sturgis is truly special,’ said Country Manager for Motorcycles Peter Harvey.”

A brief video, showing a little footage of the factory, can be found here.

(From Motorcycle Trader magazine)

There is a trickle of info coming from Indian, the picture of the crankshaft is one thing new just bob weights not circular flywheels it appears, the other bit of information is details for the select group that have placed their deposit for the exclusive 111 Group, these are the first  111 motorcycles that will be brought into the country  I believe over 60 have paid a $1000 deposit already to get into this bunch. The motorcycle comes with tons of extras that are not on the run of the mill versions, so if you are thinking of buying a new Indian give Scottie or Glen a ring at Indian-Victory in Elizabeth St 03 9394 5666 be sure to tell them the I.I.R.A of Aust encouraged you

Beside inventing the modern twist grip, electric start in 1916-17 is really forward thinking & one that many Springfield owners wish that the Company had developed into the 50′s. I think that this was another lost cause with accumulators (Batteries) in their infancy Indian was years ahead of technology with such a sound idea, alas this was another good idea at the wrong time

Victory Showrooms were “chocked” on Saturday with people eager to view the only ThunderStroke 111 motor outside American shores, Adrian Givoye (Victory-Indian) gave us some more information, one thing the “lump” weighs 160kgs, the catalytic convertor is clearly on view on this engine but it will have covers in production. The engine is compact compared to a Gilroy/Kings Mountain Powerplus motor as the power plant has the motor unit construction and the gearbox is partially underneath, the barrels are fairly short meaning the liners are probably sunk deep in the mouth’s of the crankcase a-la Vincent, it is a “squat” motor visually as well. I would have loved to see it dismantled but thats the mechanic in me, more information is coming through soon the clothing range is due to be released very soon. Five of our members have already placed deposits and after some of them seeing the 111 they are eager for the remainder of the puzzle to be released

Several club members rolled up to the Victory Motorcycles Melbourne store last Saturday morning for the local unveiling of the 111 ThunderStroke Indian engine.

Pictured are Daryl Colt, Peter Kime and Phil Pilgrim poring over the showpiece.

Indian Marketing manager Adrian Givoye said Australia would be the first market outside the USA to receive the new bikes, in the fourth quarter of this year.

Initial supply is predicted to be tight and we can expect prices to be sub-$40,000. Around 50 deposits have already been placed.

Chris Knoop (pictured centre) rode the Cannonball Run in America last year & had made a short film on his adventure, with the Invincible JAP. The St Kilda Film festival is doing a public showing of this soon so Chris is famous (click on the link below)

Cannonball film

The week-end is panning out pretty big, the Indian-Victory BBQ at 544 Elizabeth st Showrooms on Saturday which is great you will not starve. They have invited us on a Mystery Ride leaves 10am sharp & returns for a BBQ lunch at 1.30pm, please support this as they have been kind enough to invite us. The Sunday run is listed although not on as people are attending the BBQ mentioned above

Hi Phil

We will have the new Indian engine on display from this Saturday at the Victory Melbourne dealership for a bit over a week before it heads to Sydney.Please invite your members for a coffee and look at their leisure.

Regards Peter Harvey

Indian nuts of various sorts managed to cause more than their fair share of confusion at the recent and flourishing All British Rally, in Newstead, Victoria, run by the BSA Owners Club.

Top picture is of Phil Pilgrim’s Vindian, which caused all sorts of discussion when he rolled up at the gate. The tradition is that only British bikes are allowed into the rally site, so where does a Vindian sit? After some debate, he was allowed in.

The other pic is of IIRA member Chris Horner (left), wisely avoiding physical contact with the rest of the group. Next (from left to right) is Graham Nelson, the importer of Indian-built Royal Enfields, Grant Roff (aka Spannerman) who is Editor of Motorcycle Trader magazine and IIRA webmaster Phil Pilgrim.

Guy ‘Guido’ Allen

This week-end you can ride your Indian into the BSA owners 33rd All British Rally at Newstead Victoria, usually there are over 1000-1400 attending those on non-British Machines can park their motorcycle outside the entrance as they will not be accepted into the rally area. So all the British engined Indians either Springfield or Clymer versions are welcome, the BSA Club use the engine as a criteria so a Springfield Chief will be fine if it has Triumph, BSA, Vincent, or Norton engine fitted ,all the above Indians pictured for example are acceptable (not the Gilroy in the background ), & those people in our Association with these variants are welcome into the site for any judging etc , good thing we cover all the models “End Of Story”