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Indian Motorcycle Company
Company typeSubsidiary
Headquarters
Medina, Minnesota
,
USA
Key people
Stephen Julius
(chairman)
Steve Heese(president)
ProductsMotorcycle, Accessories, Apparel, and Gifts
Number of employees
50
ParentPolaris Industries
Websitewww.indianmotorcycle.com

The Indian Motorcycle Company is an American manufacturer of motorcycles under the Indian brand.[1][2]

After production of Indian motorcycles ended in 1953, several entities sold motorcycles under the Indian brand, and ownership of the trademark became uncertain. The ownership of the trademark was established in 199x and production of motorcycles by the Indian Motorcycle Company of America (IMCOA) began in Gilroy, California in 1999. After developing a new "Powerplus" engine for their motorcycles, IMCOA went into liquidation in 2003.

In 2006, Stellican Limited bought the trademarks and intellectual property of IMCOA and started the Indian Motorcycle Company in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. The company built updated versions of the IMCOA designs. In 2011 Polaris Industries bought the Indian Motorcycle Company, moved operations from North Carolina, and merged them into their existing facilities in Minnesota and Iowa. Since August 2013, Polaris have built and marketed modern Indian motorcycles that reflect Indian's traditional styling.

Origin of the Indian brand

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Main article: Indian Motocycle Manufacturing Company
1950 Indian Chief Black Hawk

George M. Hendee founded the Hendee Manufacturing Company in 1897 in Springfield, Massachusetts, to manufacture bicycles.[3] Hendee began using the "Indian" brand name on his bicycles shortly afterward, eventually selling them under the "Indian" brand exclusively.[4] In 1901 Hendee began a business arrangement with Oscar Hedstrom to build and sell motorcycles based on Hedstrom's design.[5] Hedstrom continued to work for Hendee, improving the product continually. In 1911, Indian motorcycles finished first, second, and third at the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy,[6] and in 1913 their annual production peaked at 32,000 motorcycles.[7]

Chief engineer Hedstrom left Indian in 1913;[7] founder Hendee left in 1916.[8] Hedstrom's replacement Charles Gustafson designed the Powerplus side-valve motorcycle.[7] Irish engineer Charles Franklin joined the engineering staff at Springfield in late 1916;[9] in the early 1920s he created the middleweight Scout and heavyweight Chief models and replaced Gustafson as chief engineer.[10][11] In 1927 Indian bought the assets of the Ace Motor Corporation and began development of the Ace motorcycle into the Indian Four.[12][13]

The Scout and the Chief would be the main products of the Indian Motocycle Manufacturing Company, which had been re-organized from the Hendee Manufacturing Company in 1923,[14] until World War II. The Scout represented Indian in AMA Group C racing,[15] and was the origin of Burt Munro's speed record motorcycle.[16] The Four was sold as a police motorcycle and a premium heavyweight motorcycle, while the Thirty-Fifty, based on the Prince frame and an undersized Scout engine, was sold as a light-duty or "beginner" motorcycle.

After World War II, Indian resumed manufacture of the Chief and began development of a modular engine family. The single-cylinder Arrow and parallel-twin Scout were introduced in the summer of 1948.[17] Engine problems plagued the Arrow, the Scout, and the Scout's 1950 replacement, the Warrior.[18] Indian ended production in 1953.[19]

Brand history, 1953-1999

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Rebadged imported Royal Enfields

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Brockhouse Engineering acquired the rights to the Indian name after Indian went under in 1953. From 1955 through 1960, they imported English Royal Enfield motorcycles, mildly customized them in the US, and sold them as Indians.[20] Almost all Royal Enfield models had a corresponding Indian model in the USA. The models were Indian Chief, Trailblazer, Apache (all three were 700 cc twins), Tomahawk (500 cc twin), Woodsman (500 cc single), Westerner (500 cc single), Hounds Arrow (250 cc single), Fire Arrow (250 cc single), Lance (150 cc 2-stroke single) and a 3-wheeled Patrol Car (350 cc single).[21]

In 1960, the Indian name was bought by AMC of England. Royal Enfield being their competition, they abruptly stopped all Enfield-based Indian models except the 700 cc Chief. Their plan was to sell Matchless and AJS motorcycles badged as Indians. However, the venture ended when AMC itself went into liquidation in 1962.

Floyd Clymer imports, 1963-1977

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1972 Indian MM-5A minibike

From the 1960s, entrepreneur Floyd Clymer began using the Indian name, apparently without purchasing it from the last known legitimate trademark holder.[citation needed] He attached it to imported motorcycles, commissioned to Italian ex-pilot and engineer Leopoldo Tartarini, owner of Italjet Moto, to manufacture Minarelli-engined 50 cc minibikes under the Indian Papoose name. These were successful so Clymer commissioned Tartarini to build full-size Indian motorcycles based on the Italjet Griffon design, fitted with Royal Enfield Interceptor 750 cc parallel-twin engines.

A further development was the Indian Velo 500, a limited-production run using a Velocette single-cylinder engine and gearbox with mainly Italian cycle parts, including a lightweight frame from the Italjet company, Marzocchi front forks with Grimeca front hub having a twin-leading shoe brake, Borrani aluminium rims and quickly-detachable tank and seat, resulting in a weight-saving of 45 lb (20 kg) compared to the traditional Velocette Venom.[22]

The project ended abruptly due to Clymer's death and the failure of Velocette, with 200 machines shipped to US and a further 50 remaining in Italy, which were bought by London Velocette dealer Geoff Dodkin. When roadtesting, UK monthly magazine Motorcycle Sport described it as "British engineering and Italian styling in a package originally intended for the American market", reporting that Dodkin would supply his bikes with either a standard Venom engine specification, or, at higher cost, a Thruxton version.[22]

After Clymer's death in 1970 his widow sold the alleged Indian trademark to Los Angeles attorney Alan Newman, who continued to import minicycles made by ItalJet, and later manufactured in a wholly owned assembly plant located in Taipei (Taiwan). Several models with engine displacement between 50 cc and 175 cc were produced, mostly fitted with Italian two-stroke engines made either by Italjet or Franco Morini.

In 1974, Newman planned to revive large-capacity machines as the Indian 900, using a Ducati 860 cc engine and commissioned Leo Tartarini of Italjet to produce a prototype. The project failed, leaving the prototype as the only survivor.[23][24]

Sales of Newman's Indians were dwindling by 1975. The company was declared bankrupt in January 1977,.

Other attempts, 1977-1999

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The right to the brand name passed through a succession of owners and became a subject of competing claims in the 1980s. By 1992, the Clymer claim to the trademark had been transferred to Indian Motocycle Manufacturing Co. Inc. of Berlin, a corporation headed by Philip S. Zanghi.[25]

In June 1994, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Wayne Baughman, president of Indian Motorcycle Manufacturing Incorporated, presented, started, and rode a prototype Indian Century V-Twin Chief. Baughman had made previous statements about building new motorcycles under the Indian brand but this was his first appearance with a working motorcycle.[26]

Neither Zanghi nor Baughman began production of motorcycles.[27] In August 1997, Zanghi was convicted of securities fraud, tax evasion, and money laundering.[28]

In January 1998, Eller Industries was given permission to purchase the Indian copyright from the receivers of the previous owner. Eller Industries hired Roush Industries to design the engine for the motorcycle, and was negotiating with the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians to build a motorcycle factory on their tribal land.[29] Three renderings, one each of a cruiser, a sport cruiser, and a sport bike, on frames specified by suspension designer James Parker, were shown to the motorcycling press in February 1998.[30]

Eller Industries arranged a public unveiling of the cruiser prototype for November 1998, but was prevented from showing the prototype by a restraining order from the receiver, who said that Eller had failed to meet the terms of its obligations.[31] The contract was withdrawn after the company missed its deadline to close the deal and could not agree with the receiver to an extension on the deadline.[32] Other conditions, including payment of administrative costs and presenting a working prototype, were also not met by Eller Industries. Based on this, a Federal bankruptcy court in Denver, Colorado, allowed the sale of the trademark to IMCOA Licencing America Inc. in December 1998.[33]

Indian Motorcycle Company of America (1999–2003)

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The Indian Motorcycle Company of America was formed from the merger of nine companies, including manufacturer California Motorcycle Company (CMC) and IMCOA Licensing America Inc., which was awarded the Indian trademark by the Federal District Court of Colorado in 1998.[34] The new company began manufacturing motorcycles in 1999 at the former CMC's facilities in Gilroy, California. The first "Gilroy Indian" model was a new design called the Chief. Scout and Spirit models were also manufactured from 2001. These bikes were initially made with off-the-shelf S&S engines, but used the 100-cubic-inch (1,600 cc) Powerplus engine design from 2002 to 2003. The Indian Motorcycle Corporation went into bankruptcy and ceased all production operations in Gilroy on September 19, 2003.[35]

Indian Motorcycle Company (2006-2011)

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Stellican Indian in characteristic Indian red colour in Brighton (UK)

On July 20, 2006, the newly formed Indian Motorcycle Company, owned largely by Stellican Limited, a London-based private equity firm, announced its new home in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, where it has restarted the Indian motorcycle brand,[36] manufacturing Indian Chief motorcycles in limited numbers, with a focus on exclusivity rather than performance, like a "luxury" watch. Starting out exactly where the defunct Gilroy IMC operation left off in 2003, the "Kings Mountain" models were continuation models based on the new series of motorcycles developed in 1999. The 2009 Indian Chief incorporated a redesigned 105-cubic-inch (1,720 cc) Powerplus V-twin powertrain with electronic closed-loop sequential-port fuel injection,[37] and a charging system providing increased capacity for the electronic fuel injection.

Stellican Indian at the Ace Cafe, London (UK)

Polaris subsidiary (2011-present)

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In April 2011, Polaris Industries, the off-road and leisure vehicle maker and parent-company of Victory Motorcycles, announced its intention to acquire Indian Motorcycle. Indian's production facilities were moved to Spirit Lake, Iowa, where production began on August 5, 2011.[38] In March 2013, Indian unveiled their new 111 cubic inches (1.82 L) "Thunder Stroke" engine,[39] and began to sell their newly designed motorcycles based on it in August 2013.

Current production

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On August 3, 2013, Polaris announced three all-new Indian-branded motorcycles based on the traditional styling of the marque and the Thunder Stroke 111 motor. The motor has a triple-cam design with a chain-driven center cam turning front and rear cams via gears, permitting parallel placement of the pushrods to give a similar appearance to older Indian designs. It is air cooled, with large traditional fins and an airbox in the cast aluminum frame.[40] All Indians share this aluminum frame design, though the wheelbase and front end rake vary depending on model. The integrated transmission is also gear-driven.

Chief Classic (2014-present)

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The base model Chief has the valanced fenders and the lighted "war bonnet" on the front fender that have been iconic throughout Indian's history. Cruise control, antilock braking system, keyless starting, and electronic fuel injection are standard on this and all other models. It has a six-speed transmission and manually-adjustable single-shock swingarm.

Chief Vintage (2014-present)

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Indian Chief Vintage (2014)

The Indian Chief Vintage shares the chassis, drivetrain, and styling of the Chief Classic, and adds tan leather quick-release saddlebags, matching tan leather two-up seat, additional chrome trim, quick-release windshield, and a six-speed transmission.

Chieftain (2014-present)

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The Indian Chieftain touring motorcycle is the first Indian model with front fairing and hard saddlebags. It has a stereo with speakers in the fairing, Bluetooth media players, tire pressure sensors, air-adjustable rear shock, and motorized windshield adjustment. Initial reports from the press were favorable for styling, performance, and handling.[41] The Chieftain was named 2013 Motorcycle of the Year by RoadRunner Motorcycle Touring & Travel magazine.[42]

Scout (2015-)

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The Indian Scout was introduced at the 2014 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally as a 2015 model. The 2015 Scout is a cruiser with a 1,133 cc (69.1 cu in) liquid-cooled, double overhead camshaft V-twin engine and a frame formed by multiple aluminum alloy castings bolted to each other and to the engine.[43] The Scout is the most affordable model currently produced by Indian.[citation needed]

Roadmaster (2015-)

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The Indian Roadmaster was introduced at the 2014 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally shortly before the Scout. The Roadmaster is a Chieftain with an added trunk, front fairing lowers, heated seats, heated grips, LED headlights, passenger floorboards, and a rear crash bar. The Roadmaster had been developed before the Chieftain, based on Polaris's experience from the Victory V92C that developing a touring cruiser from a touring bike would be more effective than developing both from a cruiser.[44]

Notes

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  1. ^ Indian History Home[dead link‍]
  2. ^ Sucher et al. 2011, p. 46.
  3. ^ Sucher et al. 2011, p. 47.
  4. ^ Sucher et al. 2011, pp. 47–48.
  5. ^ Duke Marketing 2015.
  6. ^ a b c Youngblood 2001, p. 29.
  7. ^ Sucher et al. 2011, p. 116.
  8. ^ Youngblood 2001, p. 30.
  9. ^ Youngblood 2001, pp. 30–31.
  10. ^ Sucher et al. 2011, pp. 208–209.
  11. ^ Sucher et al. 2011, p. 280.
  12. ^ Girdler 2002, pp. 77–78.
  13. ^ Sucher et al. 2011, p. 239.
  14. ^ Girdler 2002, p. 102.
  15. ^ Sucher et al. 2011, p. 175.
  16. ^ Girdler 2002, p. 164.
  17. ^ Girdler 2002, pp. 165–168.
  18. ^ Girdler 2002, p. 174.
  19. ^ Cite error: The named reference Encyclopedia271 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  20. ^ Indian Model Chart (retrieved 21 April 2010)
  21. ^ a b Motorcycle Sport, July 1971 pp.253-255, 262-263, 271-272. Road Test - Indian Velo 500 Accessed 2014-05-14
  22. ^ Motorcycle News, (UK weekly newspaper) 22 December 1993, p.2 Ducati-Indian prototype unearthed [img]. Accessed and added 2014-09-28
  23. ^ Ducati-Indian prototype image at Indian Chief Motorcycles Retrieved 2014-09-28
  24. ^ Tofig, Dana (June 21, 1993). "Indian's Dusty Trail". Hartford Courant. Hartford, CT USA. ISSN 1047-4153. Retrieved 2011-12-30.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  25. ^ Roger T., Young (September 1994). Wood, Bill (ed.). "Road – The Story of the Century". American Motorcyclist. 48 (9). American Motorcyclist Association: 43. ISSN 0277-9358. Retrieved 2011-12-30.
  26. ^ Catterson, Brian, ed. (August 2007). "Whatever Happened to Indian Motorcycles?". Motorcycling. Los Angeles, CA USA: Source Interlink. ISSN 0027-2205. Retrieved 2012-01-04. The '90s seemingly brought another Indian revival each year. Some were pure goldbrickings (anyone still owed money by Philip Zhangi or Wayne Baughman?), while others-like the innovative Eller Indians designed by James Parker, engineered by Rousch [sic] Racing and financed by the real Indians of the Cow Creek Umpqua tribe-were more compelling.
  27. ^ "O.C. Man Found Guilty of Indian Motorcycle Scam". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, CA USA. August 13, 1997. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2011-12-30.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  28. ^ "Indian band may rebuild Indian motorcycle legacy". Ludington Daily News. Associated Press. October 10, 1998. p. 3. Retrieved 2011-12-30.
  29. ^ Staab, Doug (2008-11-24). "American Sportbike – The Eller Industries Story". The Kneeslider. Archived from the original on 2008-12-03. Retrieved 2012-01-04. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  30. ^ McCraw, Jim (1998-11-15). "Revival of Indian Cycle Runs Into a New Barrier (page 2 of 2)". The New York Times. New York, NY USA. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2012-01-04.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  31. ^ Shore, Sandy (November 27, 1998). "Judge to rule on Indian motorcycle". The Daily Courier. Prescott, AZ USA: Prescott Newspapers. Associated Press. p. 1D. Retrieved 2011-12-30.
  32. ^ Paulson, Stephen K. (1988-12-08). "Judge approves company bid to ressurect Indian Motorcycle". The Daily Courier. Prescott, AZ USA: Prescott Newspapers. Associated Press. p. 11. Retrieved 2011-12-30.
  33. ^ Indian Motorcycle Rights Awarded To IMCOA Coleman Powersports News, 8 December 1998
  34. ^ Haefele, Fred (August–September 2005). "The Lost Tribe of Indian". American Heritage Magazine. American Heritage Publishing. Archived from the original on October 20, 2007.
  35. ^ Indian Motorcycle Company Announces New Home Press Release, 20 July 2006, on official website
  36. ^ Alan Cathcart (November–December 2009). "Road-testing the 2009 Indian Chief". Motorcycle Classics. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  37. ^ Harley, Bryan (August 30, 2011). "First Pics of Polaris 2012 Indian Chief Released" (aspx). Motorcycle USA. Retrieved October 28, 2011. {{cite news}}: External link in |newspaper= (help)
  38. ^ "LA Times: Indian Unveils Massive 111-Cubic-Inch Thunder Stroke". Retrieved March 13, 2013.
  39. ^ Harley, Bryan (August 5, 2013). "2014 Indian Chieftain First Ride". MotorcycleUSA.com. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  40. ^ Garrett, Jerry (August 3, 2013). "First Ride: The Reborn 2014 Indian Motorcycles". New York Times. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  41. ^ "RoadRunner's Motorcycle of the Year: The Indian Chieftain", RoadRunner Motorcycle Touring & Travel, October 30, 2013, ISSN 1939-7976, OCLC 168133066
  42. ^ Jones, Peter (October 30, 2014). "2015 Indian Scout – Road Test Review". Cycle World. Bonnier. p. 1.
  43. ^ Hoyer, Mike (July 27, 2014). "2015 Indian Roadmaster – First Ride". Cycle World. Bonnier.

References

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Further reading

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Indian motorcycles.


Category:Indian Motorcycles Category:Motorcycles of the United States Category:Motorcycles by brand Category:Motorcycle manufacturers of the United States Category:Motor vehicle assembly plants in Minnesota Category:Companies established in 2006 Category:2006 establishments in the United States Category:Companies based in Minnesota Category:Defunct companies based in North Carolina Category:Defunct companies based in California

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