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October 2, 2026, by Guy ‘Guido’ Allen; Pics by Indian Motorcycles & Ben Galli Among the shuffling and nonsense going on at Chateau Guido this week, I picked up a new Indian Roadmaster. A big sucker that weighs 417kg, according to the maker. As you can see it is about as subtle as a smack in the head with an anvil.
It of course promises endless miles of highway bliss, with its 116ci (1890cc) air-cooled V-twin, six-speed transmission and a near-baffling suite of luxurious appointments. For example, it has heated and cooled seats. The latter is a new one for me – at least on a motorcycle. So before we get too deep into the machine, let’s go with a question on the minds of a few friends and relatives. What the hell were you thinking? It’s a question which assumes way too much and Muggins already had near-30 machines in the shed. Okay, it was a spur-of-the-moment decision. The bike is a new 2025 model that the maker needed offloaded at a reduced price in September/October 2026. I didn’t really care which model year it was, and I liked the colour combo. Back in the 1980s and nineties, when paying the mortgage and feeding the kids was the only mission in life, I never thought I would one day in the future use this phrase: this is my fourth Indian motorcycle.
In the pic – taken a decade ago by the super-talented Ben Galli – is (from left to right) a 1947 Springfield Chief, 2009 Kings Mountain Chief Vintage and 2003 Gilroy Chief Vintage. (Ed’s note: Indians have often be described by factory production location to denote their type and era – see the end of this link for a proper run-down.) The 2009 Kings Mountain at centre remains in the shed, while the others were sold. Of them, the 1947 bike was the most questionable choice to offload. On the upside, it got me used to dealing with old tech such as manual advance and retard ignition timing, hand-change ‘crash’ transmissions, a foot clutch and a 70-plus-year old carburettor that could at times be finicky. Great experience.
Then came one great ride. That’s the one where it was humming along open back roads at 70-80mph with no stress and dealing with little surprises such as ropey corners and bridges. It was one of those days when you and the machine simply gel and perhaps defy logic and physics. It was a fabulous ride and I knew the minute it was over that it was over – the bike and I were done. I would never have a better ride on it. And the catch is with really old machinery like that is there is a load of preparation involved to take it for even a short run around the block. That works when you have two motorcycles and not when you’re well into double figures. The 1947 Chief found a new home.
Now we have the new Spirit Lake Roadmaster in the shed. Maybe it’s a reflection of my age – I like having the option of not being rooted around by old machinery. Sure, the Vincent or some other auld gem can mess with me every now and then. I can deal with that so long as the next day I can walk out, grab another monster, hit the starter and then go. With this one I should get the proverbial head around the broad suite of electronics that covers rider modes, tyre pressure, Apple Car Play versus ‘native’ navigation and entertainment options – the list goes on. Plus, of course, the cooled seats – that has me intrigued.
When you do this silly stuff, I reckon you need to have dealership happy snaps and here are a couple. It was bought from from the good folk Fitzroy Motorcycles in Melbourne. Now is a good time to get out there and run it in. Watch this space…
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Friday 13 Meet Mansfield. 11.30 lunch
1pm Depart for Myrtleford
Railway hotel. Phone 0423 220 810
Saturday 14 depart for Mitta 9.30 am
Corryong Mountain View Motel Phone 02 6076 1766
Sunday 15. Corryong -Jindabyne-Corryong
Monday 16 Corryong-Beechworth
Carriage Inn Phone (03) 57281830
Tuesday 17 Beechworth- Home
Each day has at least 2 alternate routes so you CHOOSE
Meals will be discussed each day
We encourage you to eat as a group together
These are ideas for rally ALWAYS open to suggestions
Ride whatever you are comfortable on
A couple of the longer routes are 300 km but with shorter km if you like
SO BOOK ROOMS EARLY DON’T MISS OUT
Beside the council mowing beside the road on the verge and spreading grass on the highway which is almost as slippery as Autumn leaves we have the infamous pot holes which are absolutely everywhere. So the potholes require intense concentration while riding and one thing I have learned is not to follow a car to closely in front of you as you can’t see up the road & because of that vehicle you will get a surprise as a pothole appears instantly and you have no way at the last moment to avoid hitting it!
Evasive riding is the way you must ride unfortunately and we will have to do it for some time in the future, next week the Crazy Horse Rally is on at Myrtleford and I will ask those who are attending to take considerable care while riding you are responsible for yourself and that means being aware of these issues you may come across as the picture says Dress for the Slide not the Ride.
What the hell you thought this was a motorcycle club, well it is but next month at the Crazy Horse Rally in Myrtleford you may think differently. Years ago 2006 after years of driving V8 Utes a mate who had a Vito said “Have you ever thought about a van” to which I said “NO” in a former life I had worked on Commer, Morris, and Ford Transit Van’s all shite gutless, unreliable, and noisy. Anyway he convinced me to drive his Vito Diesel and to say I was Stunned is an understatement it had heaps of grunt drove like a car and was comfortable, I was hooked and got rid of my Ute and bought a long wheelbase Crewcab Vito $62,000 and white in colour the inside was’nt lined and it was very utilitarian inside so I had it lined in carpet which helped this really got me keen and I sold it at 58,000 klm’s and bought a medium wheel base Valente people mover a fantastic upgrade it’s pictured above it could take 2 Indian Chief’s in the back and all my gear the seats were removable so it performed two functions and much more comfortable than a Vito. Of course all this lead to mates buying them as well after seeing how good they were, eventually during Covid-19 I set my heart on a V-250D series which was the top tier version and the model you see diplomats in being picked up to be taken to functions, they ar’nt cheap and new one’s start close to $120,000 mine was 18,000 klm’s and 2 years old and the change over was to good to refuse so I’m now happier than a pig in shite it’s fantastic! Recently I had Apple Car Play fitted and its a very good modification, so what’s all this got to do with a motorcycle club in 6 weeks, Jon Munn will have his new Valente, I will have my V-250D, Phillip White will have his ex-Jon Valente, Dave Kimpton will be there in his 2018 Valante, George Fitz will have his Vito, and if Burger Drake turns up there will be the ex-Kimpton sort wheelbase Vito what can I say!
Mark Barthelmie shares something in common with our prime minister Albo well one thing they don’t is political views for sure but Albo is never in the country and he needs to be and not swanning about giving you hard earned taxes away to un-deserving other countries, Mark on the other hand goes away at no cost to you and generates revenue for hard working small business’s in Australia.
He is ready to return after creating goodwill at various rallies around Europe and selling his brake plates, barrels, Ignition and dynamo systems throughout Europe and helping Aussie companies survive here. Of course he isn’t doing this for nothing or his good looks and thats part of business for survival, I wrote an article some years ago “How dare you make a profit out of my hobby” which a customer once said to me in all seriousness, meanwhile we need ambassadors to promote what Australian’s can do here instead of just saying “It’s cheaper to buy from overseas” so its up to you to support locals first otherwise when you need something quickly that avenue will have closed, you only have to look at the USA at the moment and try importing something or for that matter as Mark has told me exporting is nearly impossible so next time you need something ring a local and you might be pleasantly surprised that part is Aussie as well.
Not a great time to be out and about, with fog, black ice, potholes, and forecasted rain on the horizon, never mind were heading to warmer climates soon and that means our riding seasons. Of course you have renewed your subs because if you hav’nt and are on a club permitted machine you will unfortunately be riding effectivly a non-registered machine at the end of July because your not a financial member of a VicRoads affiliated club, we must therefore report this to them and if you are caught $850 fine plus points from your licence! Simples as the TV advert says pay today and then you can ride with no worries, these subs have to be paid before the AGM on the 28/07/26 so don’t come to that meeting waving cash and also expecting your subsidised $30 meal, cause that wont happen. Meanwhile those who are not on club permit machine please pay ASAP it helps with the very limited income coming into your club.
You will have noticed the count down clock already if you click on it it gives the dates for the Crazy Horse Rally at Myrtleford 25-27 Sept, your Association will be providing a free BBQ on Friday night, as a side event there is a memorial ride for Gary Hogg’s brother on the Sunday to Mount Buffalo to spread his late brothers ashes those wishing to attend the ride will need to book your extra night accomodation at the Railway Motel book your accomodation for this very popular event NOW.
The AGM is on 28th of this month at the usual Grandview Hotel in Alphington and your Association will subsidise your meal for all financial members up to $30, there are about 1/2 not paid at this point, please don’t come waving cash to pay your subs $60 expecting a free meal on the night, transfer your money into the club account with your name thank you this is to encourage early subs payments and attendance to the AGM. Nomination forms have been available in your last Smoke Signals e-mag and also on this website renewal and nomination forms below.
The annual Pub & Grub is being organised for November 13-16 details will follow on accomodation rides etc soon, the beauty of this ride is bring whatever bike you trust even a new one, unlike the other events which we encourage club eligible machines, all Indian’s or club permit British, European, American pre – 1977
Seems that this year has flown by to me, they get faster as I get older, needless to say its the time of the year your subs are due and at a mere $60 thats better than a night out in Gold Class at the cinema for 1.5 hrs to see the latest Supergirl movie! So every year I go down this path on what did my $60 give me, well here we go:
Red Pate Club Permit,
Free inspections for pre 1949 motorcycles, no RWC requirment for them,
Free Christmas Party if you decide to attend,
A subisidised meal to the value of $30 at the Grandview Hotel for attending the AGM,
Free BBQ at any of the 3 rallies you decided to attend,
4 seasonal Smoke signals E-magazines which cost us $1,000 a year (half of the clubs total subs input) ,
At most meetings subsidised raffle prizes,
For short you get all your money back!
Account details and don’t forget your name please
Commbank
Iron Indian Riders
BSB 064141
ACC 10396730
It always seems the same cold, wet and bills, end of financial year taxes, whats not to like? Plenty looking forward to warmer weather, rallies and catching up with mates, but in the meantime if your still riding heated clothing from Zarkie’s their vests trousers and gloves are unbelievable good and makes a ride in cold conditions remarkably pleasant, if your machine is 6v or has a Lucas dynamo they also do independant battery powered clothing.
Annual Subs are due from virtually now so to stop the log jam on the AGM night start paying your $60.00 now, you can pay it into the club by bank transfer (preferred) but please add your name for identification. Recently at a meeting it came up with “Well what do I get for my $60 a year” good question you could join something like the naked racer red plate group and pay $120 a year and get your permit signed once a year and nothing else. we give you a free BBQ evening meal or breakfast at any rally you attend, free machine examination for any pre 1949 machine (usually a RWC and $180 for most other clubs) subsidised raffle prizes at General Meetings, 4 seasonal Smoke Signals e-magazines free Advertising in the magazine , a subsidised meal at the AGM up to $30.00, a free Christmas Party, and of course the interesting people you meet if you want to attend any of these events, we actually make nothing from your subs because if you attend our functions you virtually get it all back!
Nomination form 2026 for anybody wishing to stand for any committee position below, all positions will be declared vacant at the AGM.
Club Bank Transfer details
Commbank
BSB 063141
Account 10396730
Don’t forget your name
We have in the past had seasonal rallies ie: summer/spring/autumn/winter at the time they were successful but eventually numbers waned and some were cancelled recently there has been a call to re-install more events/rallies the thing is basically there is only five months in a year, yes only five. Effectively December is to busy with Christmas and New Year celebrations and January/ February can be to stinking HOT , prime months are late September, October, and early November March or early April, so about seven months are taken out by extreme weather conditions, we run rallies in February (Midday Express) September (Crazy Horse Rally) October (Pub & Grub Ride) potentially another Rally could be held in March/April but with dwindling numbers supporting other club events and commitments to families will it be supported thats the question. I find most people that say this would be a good idea at meetings never follow thru and go to the rallies, those people that turn up to rides/rallies are the same old faces, don’t get me wrong I want to stimulate members attending and new members but on the same token its not enough to do it I think that this is now 20th Century thinking and although I love riding Classic bikes and socialising with mates I would attend a rally even with no compulsory ride attached to it, If a say subsidised meal was attached would that be enough for you to attend. I wrote this potential rally up in 2019 would this work with modifications, what do you think I’m all ears.
Potential Time warp Rally pre 1975
Description and rules
This meet is everything you have all wanted without worrying who or what other group or club is offended, and it will be catering for most nationalities of motorcycles, that will have only true classic machines entered as it used to be 45 years ago but only under the following criteria:
British, Western European or American are eligible and will be pre 1975 and preferably right hand gearchange or hand shift (this is not critical). We are encouraging earlier post war makes singles, twins triples, bobbers, choppers or customs and cafe racers are welcomed under the criteria, this is also including mopeds ie: Norman Nippy, Raleigh Wisp, or cycle moto machine attachments ( eg Vincent Fireflys, BSA winged wheels, Velo Solex etc)
The Ten Commandments
1 Motorcycles will only have a electric starter fitted by the manufacturer up to 1975 cutoff date if you have retro fitted aftermarket kit then that’s fine, this covers kits fitted to Velocette, early Norton twins , Vincent, BSA, Indians, Ducati, Triumphs etc if your not sure ask before entering the event
2 The Motorcycles are any British, European (except Russian) and American ,I like many others are interested in your unique motorcycle this will also encourages older or physically challenged people to enjoy fellow motorcyclists enthusiasts to participate hopefully.
3 Rides and riders will have a route provided to follow if they want to go for a ride and they will be either red plate or fully registered. If you want to stay at your Motel and “chinwag” with your display machine or socialise that’s fine bring any documentation as you may, many other people are interested in your unique motorcycle this will also encourages older or physically challenged people to enjoy fellow motorcyclists enthusiasts to participate hopefully.
4 A Breakfast may be provided. And machines fully fueled up for the days ride.
5 All bookings are non refundable no exceptions end of story, therefore don’t book if your only thinking that you might come.
6 If you decided on the day that your old bike won’t start and “I will just take my new bike instead” or trailer my new bike in case the old one dies, you will be told to politely “f**k off” your not welcome & don’t ruin it for everyone else, no excuses we are adamant about this. Instead bring the non- runner and we might be able to fix it!
7 As this is a meet it will be modelled slightly on the BSA All British Rally without the bands or expense or camping, but not for only British Bikes and it’s a social event so remember that. You can trailer your old machine and nobody will care. If this event is successful there may be others in the future the participants will decide that
8 All the above rules will the organisers prerogative to change at any time and each individual machine will be decided on its merits, not yours, so we need a picture of the machine before your entry is accepted.
9 This meet will not provide a back up or a luggage truck, bus’s, break down vehicle etc our advice is join RACV Total Care
10 The organisers have thought after years of suggestions that this is what’s needed for old machine enthusiasts, to be successful it needs the previous rules to be followed, the rallies success or failure requires your participation and acknowledging the rules
We don’t want a group following in cars and caravans on this rally it’s for riders where possible and we wish you to adhere to this criteria.
This is any no way connected to any motorcycle association, company or club, just a bunch of enthusiasts that remember the good old days (Kangaroo Rally to name one) and wish to relive them again.