The Challenger, but is it?

Lots of media attention to Indian’s new bike and especially the new engine due to be released near the end of this month, the new donk is supposedly a old Victory engine that never made it to production, it has similar looks to a current Scout or Victory Octane engine. So will it “cut the mustard” time will tell of course the existing chief Thunderstroke engines are reliable and trouble free and now upgraded to 116 cu, they had few problems maybe “runs very hot” being the main problem it never helped leaving off the oil cooler I expect. This new engine is oil & liquid cooled and 108 cu in capacity (1770cc) so that will help but I worry that the main problem is that the baby boomers this does appeal to are fast approaching 70 or well over it and I can tell you for a fact bikes tipping the scales at 800 lbs are not really on the shopping list, this Challenger will be Challenging more like it. So Indian please listen, your new model should the distinctly Indian, be manufactured for LAMS (under 670cc) for lots of new riders, be light and clean, not cluttered and be cheap to service $600 is to dear to service a motorcycle $200 is just tolerable, parts should be cheap not $1200 for a rear guard or $2000 for a fuel tank for example! I do admire the fact Polaris has in fact made the Thunderstroke and the Scout engine from scratch since 2014 (5 years ago) and now they are out with another engine, the Motor Co has’t really developed a radical new engine since the model U Knucklehead in 1938 just re-engineered the same old same old so in that respect Indian have a Challenger

This will change a lot of things

The changes on motorcycles parking on the footpath seem doomed, the old story of the few ruining it for all will come to pass, a bit like the rorting of our Red Plate scheme

www.theage.com.au/victoria/crackdown-on-motorbikes-that-block-disability-access-on-city-footpaths-20191021-p532sm.html?btis

A very Rare Indian

Indian Woodsman

I reckon this Indian is one of the rarest in Australia, owned by fellow Association member Jon Munn, its the only one I have ever seen outside of a bookcover, they were built in 1955/56 to compete against BSA Goldstar 500cc. That motor has a unique large alloy head and a Amal GP 1.1/2 carb fitted and to complete the package special ratio Albion gearbox and factory race cams, the seat is about all I personally don’t like, the rest has got my juices flowing!

A bit of history from April 1932

Just had these sent to me about timing a 1929 Scout, a nice piece of history.

Great Race is back again


27th Great-Race 2020. Bathurst NSW. Thursday 19th, Friday 20th and Saturday 21st March 2020.

The 2020 Great-Race will be held for the first time in the Bathurst area and surrounds.  The Event will be centred at the Mount Panorama race track, the Home of the Bathurst 1000. The area is central to some of NSW’s most interesting roads and picturesque scenery. Great for riding our classic motorcycles.

The Bathurst area has many accommodation options and we suggest our host hotel, Rydges, 1 Conrod Straight, Mount Panorama be your first choice. Other accommodation is available close by in City of Bathurst, only 5 minutes and a few kilometres away. 

Registrations will be from 3.00 pm on Thursday 19th March at Rydges Mount Panorama with barbecue starting at 6.00 pm at Rydges. 

The Ride will start at on Friday morning 20th March.  The evening functions will be held at Rydges on Friday and Saturday evenings.
The final presentations will be at dinner on Saturday evening allowing plenty of time Sunday to return home.

We advise prompt return of your Entry Form below and booking of accommodation at preferred rates.

Click here for Great race entry registration

Hate breaking down?

Yes its that time of year when blind faith in the marque comes to a head, your Indian has lain in hibernation for 4 months and the weather is slowly warming up and a couple of good rides/rallies are on the horizon. What’s this, you poured fuel in it and it runs so your ready to reel off 3-4000 klm’s over the next 5 months, trust me only a fool expects to do that your machine needs a total “going over” basics oil change, check tyres for wear, flush carby out and or fuel tanks, change gearbox/primary oil and pull out the battery and check for sulphation and fluid level. While your there grease all those grease nipples and make sure you paid your subs with the IIRA as if you hav’nt your machine is no longer registered and a $800 fine and 3 points will come off your licence, don’t blame us Vic Roads is pretty serious on this point. If all is well take your treasure out for a short ride 20-30 mile and check it over then when cool check points, tappets etc before coming out on a association ride and breaking down then hoping we are going to ruin our day fixing your machine for you! Only then enter the rally/ride and do yourself a favour by subscribing to RACV Total Care for 12 months just in case, I’m a mechanic and I am a member of it just in case, thats it see you soon at the Crazy Horse Rally Dunkeld next month with over 30 booked in for a great 3 days