Chris-Craft Owners Buy Indian Motorcycle Company (OT)

[BigJim394]

Chris-Craft Owners Buy Indian Motorcycle Company

The company that bought and revived Chri-Craft, OMB, and others has acquired the rights to revive Indian motorcycles.

The most valuable assets of Indian are its name, logos, and classic American style.

The company that owns and revived Chris-Craft boats and Outboard Motor Corporation has purchased the remains of the Indian Motorcycle Company, which shut its doors in September 2003. The new owner is Stellican Limited, a private equity firm headquartered in the UK that specializes in reviving ailing recreational product companies with strong brand names and also owns firms in unrelated industries like soft drinks and cash registers. It has a U.S. office in Florida. Because its principals supply their own capital, it is less likely to encounter the problems other would-be motorcycle makers have when more capital was required.

The company's specific plans for the brand have not been set, although it says it will produce Indian motorcycles in the U.S and wants to resume production "as soon as possible." It also says that its style is to be "long-term brand builders" and that it is "obsessed with product design and quality."

Full article here: http://motorcyclecruiser.com/newsandupdates/stellican/


I hope these new owners can make a go of it. I read some strange things about how the company had been run in the US MC mags.

[luketrash]

Should be interesting. What they need to do is offer up better styling than Harley and then sell it for CHEAPER.

That or reintroduce the Honda cub as the Indian Papoose and sell it for 1500 dollars to sorority girls and fratty boys at Target and the GAP http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[55olds88]

Best thing they can probably do is run it Bimota style, concentrate on the chassis/body side of thinga and run someone elses engines, by the looks there are plenty of after market V2 stuff in the US.....
Last I saw I thaught some chinese guy bought it ??

[Detonator]

I hope they're able to keep production here in Morgan Hill. A lot of folks lost their jobs here when they shut the doors.

[DrJ]

What they need is an inline standing up four banger...

[RileyRacing]

[ QUOTE ]
What they need is an inline standing up four banger...

[/ QUOTE ]

AMEN, brother, AMEN!

Too bad the early ones are so damn expensive, but then again, so are the new ones. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Jay

[tinyelvis]

What they need to do is let that poor brand die a natural death.. The Indian name was tarnished enough from this last round of "bikes" or whatever they built w/an Indian name on it.

[hatch]

I hear they are gonna rename the company..."Native American Cycle Company"....they will all be "theme bikes"....I'm gonna get me a "One armed bandit" model. It comes with a slot machine tank shift....billet wheels that look like quarters....flashing neon tank badges....bar stool seat...and a fat tattooed chick that stands behind you waiting for a ride.

Don't we have enough cast aluminum computer generated crap in this world already??? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[dixiedog]

Hatch - "Don't we have enough cast aluminum computer generated crap in this world already???" Now that is the TRUTH and pretty funny

I was halfway excited when the "New Indian" bikes came back out a few years ago then I saw that all they were was a kit bike with different fenders & the standard S&S motor. Then they started making their own motors but I think it was too little too late to grab a market share.

[whizzerick]

Fellas, I understand you scepticism but knowing what I know about WHO these new owners are (ex Riva Boat), and especially what they did with Chris-Craft, I think we can expect good things to come out of this... It may not be everybody's cup of tea but I think they where on to something good with this bike,a well designed piece, IMHO. Theme bike? Only if you consider 'classic' a 'theme'? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[RocketDaemon]

They have already made an own v2 engine why not keep that one?, they do not have to put money into designing an new engine as they already done that and its out on the market, would be a worse drawback to first come out with an engine of their own, go bankrupt and then start again and maybe using s&s engines again, if im going to buy an new indian motorcycle i hell sure do not want to buy one with an s&s engine i want it with their lates v2 they made, it looks cool as hell,



[ QUOTE ]
Best thing they can probably do is run it Bimota style, concentrate on the chassis/body side of thinga and run someone elses engines, by the looks there are plenty of after market V2 stuff in the US.....
Last I saw I thaught some chinese guy bought it ??


[/ QUOTE ]

[FRITZ]

Why cant someone try to bring back a henderson inline 4 cyl?
or a super X......just let Indian go already.

[whitewallslick]

Somebody did bring back the SuperX & went under about as quickly. WWS

[burndup]

I saw a henderson inline 4 in the back of a little white pickup truck on the freeway last saturday.... it was fuckin beautiful.

Chris Craft, huh? Makes me think of spoiled filthy-rich new england old-money snobs who's idea of a hard day's work is when their golf caddie calls in sick...

Harley and indian to me are becoming SO goddamn undesireable... its almost turning into a stigma. And its not out of jealousy that I cant afford one... its a lot of the people that have them that piss me off, the attitude "HaHa, I'm BETTER than you because I have this!"
Fine, they are enjoying themselves only, thats their right... To me, its about enjoying the MACHINE, and riding it...

Therefore I much prefer a rusty honda/yamaha shitbike... at least THEN I'm getting precisely what I'm paying for. I saw a bike for sale on the street a few weeks back, final year ironhead sporty, in the same condition as my honda 900 thats worth around $800... asking FIVE G's... whats up with that? My honda can smoke that fuckin thing, and it even has a cool oil leak!

This dude one time pulls next to me at a light on some bigass newish harley, looking all smug, scoffing at my POS. So when the light turned green, I fuckin nailed it, shifting at 9 grand. At the next light, when he fiiiiinally pulls up, he wouldnt look at me or my bike again!

But when I'm asleep and dreaming, its all about Ducati's... someday...

oops, I'm ranting agian... I hope the new company has sucess, I always like seeing an old name stick around, especially one with cool history... I'll just never own one of those bikes... unless I somehow wind up with a Malcom Forbes-style bank balance... Then I can stick a bunch of those bikes on my yacht and sail around with them.... ????

[willowbilly3]

The handwriting was on the wall from the beginning for the last Indian. Why pay 8 grand extra just to have those uglyass old indian fenders. The market is already flodded with street cruiser Harley clones that sell for half the price so that market is full and most of those bikes don't have all that good of resale. And what about Polaris? An American made V twin that would have no doubt disappeared into obscurity already if it didn't have a big company to absorb the shock.

[Spitfire1776]

What I find funny is the Brit trend starting to come about. My last Brit I bought for 1000.00, the 66 Royal Star. Hadn't run in 20 years, but with a half hours work it started right up, did some re-wiring for reliability, and it was my daily driver till 4 weeks ago. Granted it didn't have the original tank, but I thought 1000 around here was a good deal for it. If I was to sell now, a year later, I'll be damn if the same bike, same condition, a few 1000 extra miles, wouldn't bring 2500 - 3000. Good thing I would rather enjoy riding the bitch than have a few extra bucks. Even the OIF's are picking up value, now WHAT THE HELL IS THAT ABOUT?

I hope they have success, Indian that is. Provided they actually have an attitude of offering a competitive product , not a nostalgia gimmick product alone. Hopefully follow in the lines of Hinckley Triumph's. And as psychodaemon said I hope they at least start offing using the proprietory designed engine. But I do hope they come up a more unique design in the future. Step out a little bit and do they're own thing, like the original Indian. It was never that Indian offered a bad product that closed them down, but that they were ham,pered by bad marketing and business ethics.

Business Ethics, Now there is a hell of a oxymoron.....

[abe lugo]

Psychodemon, and everyone else.
Those new late model PowerPlus engines are still Harley Evo close engines as well! Yes the do look much cooler but, I think I read it somewhere, that you can actually use that whole topend on and EVO engine.
That bring me to another subject that I've been wanting to mention, accurate engineering make repo Shovels, Pans, Knuckle engine- can anyone confirm that the are all somehow EVO based and it's just a topend and timing modification?
If you guy want to see a four banger in bike, or a flathead. most likey not going to happen in production. I've seen their is a movement of Indian enthusiast making complete kit avail- KIWI indian and other make certain part. But save you pennies because everything is still expensive.
On another note- before this latest version of the IMC came out their was another ower and he had a proprietary engine design made, I think it had cooling issues. and Atlast this other legal issues and money made him sell.

[Spitfire1776]

Tis true that its rather quite similar to the EVO, but lets face it, ya can't very well do to much to change a 45 V-twin. YOu could OHC it but other than that. I do think there are internal differences like piston face angles and such. Maybe better compression? I don't know.

I think the advantage though, is coming out of the gates with a bike that is actually Indian built, down to the engine. They go to financiers with a proprietory engine, its easier to get funding for tooling. You get tooling, you can mess around with designs cheaper. More R&D. you come up with something more unique. It worked with Hinckley Triumph (It really is a good example of what to do when reviving a cycle company). Plus, people buying the bikes are buying an Indian, not a part Indian, part S&S. Its cheaper in the longer short-term to produce your own engine, than to rely on another manufacturer. Parts supplies don't have to be shared with other markets. Etc....
The only advantage to keeping the S&S is less initial outlay, possibly.

As far as the repops of Shoves, Knucks, and Pans, Yes I do believe they are primarily based on S&S's interpolation of the EVO. Keep in mind the S&S has a tighter tolerance level than the EVO.

[RocketDaemon]

[ QUOTE ]
Somebody did bring back the SuperX & went under about as quickly. WWS

[/ QUOTE ]

yeah sadly the super x looked quite to fat and was quite ugly, wasn't that an s&s engine aswell in there?

[RocketDaemon]

www.flatheadpower.com (http://www.flatheadpower.com)

swedish company that does knuckle head engines

there is also an swedish made motorcycle, called viking that has a voloo b18 based engine (4 in a row!) that looks quite ok. i cant find any sites or pics with that one though

[tinyelvis]

If one MUST bring back an old name, do it like these guys...

http://www.vincentmotors.com/

[luketrash]

I was disappointed that they went with the Honda engine instead of the superslick looking one they had on their original mockup.

I like this pseudo retro style a lot though, and also the new Nortons, and the thruxton triumph.. Never ridden any though, so it's based solely on looks.

[zman]

I dig it. Very nice in a retro-cafe sort of way. Though I'm more of an Italian bike guy...

[bustingear]

No wonder the recent attempt failed. It was being run by a former REEBOK executive. What did he know about it?

[Spitfire1776]

I've heard some good things about the Thruxton Triumph. If I woulda made it to Come Home Rally this year I coulda tried one out. Probably better off, woulda went home a poorer man. The Vincent repop is a diaappointment.

[tinyelvis]

The Thruxton is fantastic.. I love that thing. If I didn't already have a bike payment (Guzzi) I would have jumped on it. MAN.. Anyway, I really dig the Vincent update except that freaky headlight and instrument cluster.. I would have to swap those out for vintage stuff. Giant TACH, small speedo if any.. that sort of thing. Tri-bar Lucas headlight.. nothing is good stock!! HAHA...

I digress....

[Bugman]

Is the Vincent running a V-Rod motor? Or a V-Rod based motor? Looks kinda fimiliar.

[Tony Bones]

Oh Christ! Here we go again.

1. I think running S&S, Revtech., whatever stuff is not the way to go. Indian needs to run a different type of motor entirely. Something other than a 45 degree motor.

2. I think they (Indian) should focus a racing effort. This is something Harley hasn't been able to do succesfully in years. Could be a great way to differentiate. Winning races. Wow! What a concept in marketing prowess.

3. Set the foundation of the company on solid ground (a single, dominant model) and build from there. Don't try to offer ten different models that all eat shit from the get-go.

Oh hell, that poor brand is just a train wreck. It's got bad ju-ju surrounding it. I'd love to see it work out, but the bikes can't suck like they did last go around. Those were fucking junk. Almost as bad as the Excelsiors.

[oldchevyseller]

well kiwi motors is making the original engine again ,updated ,but noew what will happen are they gonna contract with them for the twins , only time will tell , the chriscraft deal is making some nice boats and are selling well, i want a 4 cyl in line that would be nice
http://www.indianpartseurope.com/Kiwiinfo.htm

[earl schieb]

[ QUOTE ]
I hear they are gonna rename the company..."Native American Cycle Company"....they will all be "theme bikes"....I'm gonna get me a "One armed bandit" model. It comes with a slot machine tank shift....billet wheels that look like quarters....flashing neon tank badges....bar stool seat...and a fat tattooed chick that stands behind you waiting for a ride.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif


[/ QUOTE ]
I'm ordering the Cigar Store version with wooden wheels and seat http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif baaahaaa!

I'm kinda glad to hear Indian may be back in the fray sometime soon. Not that I would ever buy one(I cloned a Chief with my Harley), but HD NEEDS some competition in the big/touring/nostalgia market---have you guys priced a new HD??! $28k for a Screamin Eagle Fat Boy?! And if bikes go up, parts will follow( yeah, I'd rather buy SOME genuine MoCo parts than Taiwanese crap) Yeah, yeah, y'all go ahead and give me shit about riding an Evo, but I'd rather ride at will and have time to work on my CARS.
I hope this time Chris Craft gets the engine sorted out(all I heard about the last "proprietary" design was an annoying and unrepairable vibration at about 50-55 mph) The chassis was fairly acceptable with that big monoshock swingarm and the fender styling is pure art(well, the EARLY Indians anyway) I wish them luck.

And DrJ, I looked at some inline 4s with Indian badging at Daytona last year that allegedly some guys from England(I think) were in the process of mass-producing---at least, that's what they were telling everybody http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I've been wonderin' too.......all those leftover parts..... J&P offers a rolling Indian chassis and sheetmetal from the surplus buyout---wonder how it would be titled? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[luketrash]

[ QUOTE ]
Is the Vincent running a V-Rod motor? Or a V-Rod based motor? Looks kinda fimiliar.

[/ QUOTE ]

Honda RC51 if I recall correctly (at least it was a couple years back when I read about it)

Crotch rocket engine...

Here's the prototype engine, which I dig a lot more:

http://www.vincentmotors.com/BIK/images/BIG_Phase1-02a.jpg

[HotRod60F100]

[ QUOTE ]
What they need to do is let that poor brand die a natural death.. The Indian name was tarnished enough from this last round of "bikes" or whatever they built w/an Indian name on it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah they were powered by S/S motors so it was just the name 'Indian'on a custom bike http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[Brootal]

Hey GG. I didn't know youse was here. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Welcome. Did I tell you about this place???

[Boones]

Dentonate, One of the first things they have to do it relocated from Ca to a cheaper location where wages can be less (mid america or the south). $16/hr is almost minimum wage in Ca but in other locations you can live and if they are going to build to compete it has to be cheaper if they plan to sell on a large volume. With housing prices starting at $400k in Cal. how can any business expect to operate there.

IMHO, they will need to keep a nostalgic line but also build something new and original to its own. Quality has to be the best and prices right if they want to steal shares from Harley or other overseas brands.

[BigJim394]

The American guy who is behind bringing back an updated Norton Commando (improved parallel twin engine, modern casettte style transmission, modrn brakes/wheels, updated but nostalgic looking frame, new style front end, etc) was interviewed in an MC mag a few months back. His operation is a very tightly and economically run deal with not a lot of employees as they struggle to get the prototype "just right" and get the production line set up.

He mentioned that when Indian went under he started to get phone calls from Indian MC employees seeking work. He asked one what his position was at Indian, and was told "Director of Powder Coating", and another told him that he had been the "Director of Rear Axles". The Norton guy said he wasn't surprised they went under if they had that many "Chiefs" (and apparently not enough "Indians").


http://photos.motorcycle-usa.com/Web/952commando_girl.jpg

[disastron13]

So their assets are name, logo, and classic American style??? What bullshit, the last time Indian had any style was when Clyner put the Scout motor in the Italjet frame in the 60s.
Name? That's like a crack whore spray cannin' her name on a guard rail in Florida. Used up years ago.
Style? Compare ANY sheet metal part from a 53 Chief to the parts from a new "Indian"- if you have the eye to see what makes a chopped 3 window duece "right", you'll be able to see the difference.
That leaves the logo- well foiled again will draw you a nice logo with real style- from whatever period ya want, for $300.
Dredging up old brands- what a joke. Those were serious industries, not clone shops. At one point Americans had real creativity and design capability...no, make that design genius. Now we are content to buy lame ass products designed by computer guys with no passion, made ("outsourced") by third world near-slaves...the logos and marketing concepts are the most valuable part of any business.
Got 10 grand plus to spend on a bike? I'd walk into a HAMBr's shop with a blank sheet of paper, spend a couple days talkin', wait six months, and end up with a bike that was better in style and function than any cheesey ass chromed up barge from the...You'd end up with a bike built of the best materials and parts, finished to a high standard.
There are so many skilled workers here and so many greedhead fat back grosseros in management positions...The last few "Indian" execs have been STRIP MINERS of OUR past, not motorcycle builders.
Support your local artists and craftsmen.
Well now I'm all worked up, time for my pill.

[392_hemi]

I sure hope these guys know what they're getting into. I looked at the prospectus when this was on the block. Starting bid was over $1 million, and that was for a quitclaim deed, meaning the rights were subject to any outstanding claims to ownership, etc. Seems like a risky proposition considering the recent history of this company.

[HotRod60F100]

[ QUOTE ]
Hey GG. I didn't know youse was here. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Welcome. Did I tell you about this place???

[/ QUOTE ]

Heya Broot,well you didn't tell me but it was on your links and it said enter at your own risk and that was a hearty invite for me http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif i get to be myself here http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif