There is some time to prepare for this event Easter 2012, last year they featured BSA Goldstar, but next year Motorcycling Australia are celebrating 111 years of Indian & as that encompasses our Association perfectly we should start planning it now. I know Easter is a bad time but you will not have to stay 2 days the Saturday will be great for riding (display runs) your machine on the circuit, a swap meet is going to be on with the first 50 sites free, ring 03 96840515 and ask Peter Drakford for more information. Next Sunday is the Christmas Party, with a fantastic ride the week-end after to wind up the year for us don’t forget the Association meeting on 29/11/11. Meanwhile work on my “new” 1948 Chief is continuing rapidly, finished re-bushing the forks, overhauling the gearbox, tyres, & chains fitted with a new front brake plate, speedo & drive, toolbox, repair chain guard, new wiring & cables, horn, and I have replaced the Chummie with a solo seat, don’t ask about the bank balance. This is a all black model with a very average paint job so nobody will realise the 2nd Mortgage that’s gone into it, this is something common to all Indian owners the sheer cost to get the bloody things going, Phillip White I expect will write another article on this someday soon. Getting back to common problems in 1946-52 Chief’s, I have had three with cracked front brake plates around the support mount where it bolts through the fork, Ian Rhook has had one rip out & it was messy I will advise you all to check this if you have one of the models that is around that era, if in doubt re-new, both Starklite & Jerry Greer have them in stock for under $150

 

The latest monthly run for the Melbourne crew got a good turn-out – maybe it was the promise of a shed tour at the other end.

Read all about it in Section News

Polaris have released a 2012 interim brochure till they produce a all new range hopefully in 2013 (click on links below)

 

2012 Indian Brochure

2011 Indian Brochure 

2010 Indian Brochure 

2009 Indian Brochure 

Just added a YouTube link on Rodger Donaldson’s documentary on making the Fastest Indian movie all good modern history for the brand. In between working on a 1948 Chief I have just recently bought & am brightening it up for your favourite editor “Guido Allan” for the Great Race in 2012, it is with trepidation  he is using it as much is different than the 2003 Chief Vintage he normally rides, although a professional motorcycle journalist, the boy hasn’t lived having never  ridden a hand change, foot clutch motorcycle with limited braking & suspension travel, 6v electrics, poor fuel consumption & costing more than his annual salary. I have told him the throttle is on the normal side(right) to overcome his worries (this hasn’t helped) ,kickstarters are no problem as he owns a Sunbeam with a rod through the block, which he used to kick before it “lunched” itself, last time I saw him he had the Worry Beads out. Next week-end is the Association Monthly Run check the Events Calendar to know where & when we start.  Member Phillip White is writing a new article on 2003 Spirit (S&S) that member Noel Thornby gave him to ride at  the Crazy Horse Rally recently, Phillip was surprised as after ridden Gilroy Powerplus engined machines & King’s Mountain models that this model was better than previously thought & in his words “Seriously underrated”. Speaking about other Indian’s brings me to the point of V-Prez Mark, his brother Rick just bought a Indian Trail Blazer from Classic Style over the weekend so we have yet another new Member, the machine is pictured below & very nice to I must say

I know Stop Press is a popular page but so are the others which I update regularly, the Image & Video’s page is another one that a lot of people overlook but is a gem with a lot of interesting things about Indian or things that affected Indian History up to today as you all know a Indian is a Indian end of story. A couple of photo’s of a member”s recently acquired  Indian that will be at the Great Race in 2012. I have posted other shots of this beautiful example of early Indian design recently, also for the more contemporary owners a combination of old & late.