Just out on Facebook two red Scouts with paint bubbles, could this be the reason for the delay in delivery to Aussie, rumour has it the production has stopped on Scout till February. Personally I’m speculating here of course,  that the April -May delivery Aussie could be even later. There may be cancellations here as that puts delivery awful close to 2016 launch at Sturgis this August. In 1979 I went through Triumph at Meridan there was a huge area of the factory warehouse  full of new Bonnevilles possibly 2000 or more I asked what all these new machines were waiting for, and was told these were the machines that unfortunatly missed the American summer season as they arrived to late! So they were freighted back to UK and were sold as last years models at a stonking huge loss, this can sometimes work out well as was proved when T160 Tridents were delivered, people recoiled and Norton-Villiers-Triumph sent out a message to all Triumph dealers that they would buy back all T150 Trident models for the UK market, my boss had about 35 left and made a killing. Unfortunatly in Indians case I can’t see this happening as the 2016 model unless unchanged will outsell the 2015 version as manufacturers rarely make worse models these days when they upgrade, so maybe there will be run-out models for sale this will surely guarantee a price hike the exchange rate in the $ will be quoted as a deciding factor but Indian have only two choices and the other is lower the price on the 2015 models or leave it the same and jump the price on 2016 versions, meanwhile the is another rumour the “Dark Horse” and Indian Springfield will make a comeback last ones were Kings Mountain variants, who knows what’s next the “Bomber” was one I liked

Saddlebag Mounting system for Indian Chief, Scout

A truly removable motorcycle saddlebags system, perfect for installing and removing saddlebags in seconds. They provide safety and security with models for most US and import cruisers. The bracket set is simple to install. Remove the 2 rear fender mounting bolts and replace with the supplied hardware and mounting spools. They do not require the use of saddlebag support brackets. Brackets are all metal construction with black powder coating for strength and durability. All hardware for mounting is provided. Please note, when you purchase a set of our mounting brackets, the kit includes both the left and right side brackets and all required mounting hardware. Any saddlebag can be used by simply bolting to the bracket set with the bolts provided. When the saddlebags are removed all that shows is the mounting spools much like the original Indian system.We recommend our all American leather saddlebags that have been designed with Indian heritage in mind but modernised for use on later bikes with an aluminium rear panel and a redesign for extra space.  $299.95 pr

We can also supply bracket set and saddlebags for the original S and S Gilroy models Chiefs please email sales@zorros.net.au

Ready for the Fourth Midnight Express

Once upon a time I was in a club that when they held an event and someone who had attended  was from another country it was immediately tagged “International” a bit like Brisbane Airport not really an International Airport, so whats all that got to do with the Midnight Express Run last night plenty, we had not one but three International guests attend two from Holland & Ric Barthelmie (Mark’s Brother) that flew in from UK less than 12 hrs before to attend this event. Ric is a very keen Indian owner with a 1946 Chief kept in Aussie for events such as these and like Mark is always a humorous type of bloke, ask him what a “wedgie” is for a start, sadly his bike wasnt ready but he had been riding it that day sorting it for the next few months. So you can see by our starting point above a good turnout this year and Springfield, Gilroy & Polaris Indians in attendance ranging from 1938-2015 the weather was perfect & only one breakdown a 1947 Chief with switch problems,the run started promptly at 8.30 progressed to Yarra Glen by 10-00 pm for a stop at the historic Grand Hotel evening drink or take-away leaving at 10.30pm up the Melba Hwy to Kinglake to the Kinglake Hotel, it was misty and slightly cold, we left at 11.00pm to head for Whittlesea the fuel stops were closed so down to Sth Morang for fuel at 12.00. Interesting snippets of overheard conversation ranged from “Is this only once a year?” When these guys say their leaving in 5 mins they certainly do, Heated seats are for “Nancy Boys”, How come stereo’s on motorcycles that people play loudly have no good songs worth listening to (About a new Roadmaster), and Don’t order a Asian take-away if you can’t get it within 20 mins!  Those new Indians have fantastic lights, Whats a valve lifter cable (mine snapped on the Vindian). At this point thanks to all that attended especially George Fitzpatrick for the organization, all the International guests, and Scottie Mc Connell from Indian Motorcycles Melbourne for his help & support with the 1947 Chief and also to Mark for riding his 1938 to prove the old ones can show the new ones a thing or to and get admired enviously as well, personally thanks for a great evening.

I have ridden sidecars now for over 43 years the first was a Vincent Rapide with a double adult sidecar  that I rode down the Motor Registration branch, a daunting trip as I side swiped a EJ Holden no damage to me or the Holden but a full set of Jock”s and a respectful attitude to all sidecars and riders after that. Fast forward a few years and I raced another Vincent outfit quite successfully for 5-6 years so obviously confidence had progressed and I was the Velorex sidecar importer in my buisness and I sold around 80 most I had to fit up to all makes and models some were well suited to a chair others were dubious. So now I still ride outfits I have two one is a a C344 Indian that was brought into Australia with 700 others to stop the “Yellow Siege” as General McArthur said in WW11 meanwhile my Chief started off in Queensland but I bought it in South Australia 60 years later. It is a handful to ride, harsh and badly braked which Im fixing ( news of this soon) I have made it 80 cu and fitted a set of Bonneville cams and followers with a 4 speed overdrive box it sits comfortably on highway speeds, and I have ridden it to Sydney and back in the past, and it’s great for upper body strength. Well by now you see I like outfits which brings me to the Scout above with a special sidecar for 101 model, this would not be fast and when a sidecar is fitted you get 1/3 worse fuel consumption which on a Indian is dramatic as they are intensely thirsty standard is a understatement, imagine if there was a sidecar option on the new Scout but I doubt it,  believe me someone will put one on eventually and man I want to ride it.

Its always sad to sad to see a crashed motorcycle, more so if it’s a Indian this poor Scout was once someone’s treasure, and it would have probably scrapped in this era as they were worth little up till 15 years ago.