Polaris Recalls Indian for Side Stand Problem

Polaris is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Indian motorcycles for failing to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 123, "Motorcycle Controls and Displays."

The side stand may not fold rearward and upward if it contacts the ground when the motorcycle is moving forward.

The number of units affected is 699.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Polaris Recalls Indian for Body Control Module Defect

Polaris is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Indian motorcycles for the Body Control Module (BCM) which can cause the headlight to turn off in some circumstances.

If the headlight switch is slowly moved from one position to another (high beam to low beam or low beam to high beam), both beams may be on momentarily and the BCM interprets this as an overload condition.

The number of units affected is 699.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Polaris Acquires Indian

From Business Wire:

"Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) today announced the acquisition of Indian Motorcycle. The business was acquired from Indian Motorcycle Limited (“IML”), a company advised by Stellican Limited and Novator Partners LLP, U.K. Private Equity firms. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed."

Read more.

For more information on Indian, read my article: Indian Motorcycles.

Motorcycle Pictures of the Week - Sunbear Blair

Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. These are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery. See Sunbear Blair with his 1944 Indian Chief. There are no women winners this week. Get your picture in. For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.

If you'd like to see your bike as Picture of the Week, submit a picture of you and your bike along with a description of the bike.

Motorcycle Pictures of the Week - Michael

Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. These are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery. See Michael on his 2009 Indian Chief Vintage. There are no women winners this week. Get your picture in. For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.

If you'd like to see your bike as Picture of the Week, submit a picture of you and your bike along with a description of the bike.

Wheels Through Time Museum on Good Morning America

The Wheels Through Time Museum's curator, Dale Walksler, will be on Good Morning America Monday, November 9, 2009. Here's an excerpt from citizen-times.com:

"On Monday, the Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley will participate in a special broadcast with Good Morning America, as the show's co-host Bill Weir travels to Western North Carolina to ride the famed 'Tail of the Dragon' aboard the new incarnation of the Indian Motorcycle.

Weir's segment for good morning America will showcase the reincarnation of the new Indian Motorcycle Company. Wheels Through Time will be participating in the broadcast in various capacities. Museum curator, Dale Walksler, will be on hand to provide expert commentary on American motorcycle history related to the Indian company, highlighting both the birth of the company, as well as Indian's demise in the late 40s and early 50s. Walksler will also be aboard a genuine 1944 Indian Chief motorcycle, to ride the famed "Tail of the Dragon," a stretch of U.S. highway 129 with 318 curves in 11 miles, with Weir."

Here's the complete article.

The Indian Motorcycle is Back - Again

From the Wired Blog Network comes this article by Ben Mack about the introduction of the 2009 Indian motorcycle. Yes, Indian is back with seven dealers to sell the new limited edition Chief. Here's an excerpt:

"Champagne is flowing in celebration of yet another comeback for Indian Motorcycles and the arrival of the first limited-edition 2009 Chiefs. The retro but thoroughly re-engineered big twins are turning heads, but the icon's return couldn't come at a worse time." -- Ben Mack, Wired.com

Read the complete article for all the details. If you want to read about the complete history of Indian, check out my article, Indian Motorcycles.

Photo ©2009 Indian Motorcycles

58 Years of Indian: A Motorcycle Picture Gallery

Indian began making motorcycles in 1901 as the Hendee Manufacturing Company. The first production model was in 1902 and 143 units were produced. In 1903, 376 motorcycles were sold. It continued production through 1953 when it no longer made the classic Indian. In 1999, Indian motorcycles were again produced, this time by the Indian Motorcycle Corporation. This was not the same company but it did have rights to the Indian name and trademarks.

We present here a look at Indian models from the first prototype model in 1901 to the present as provided in pictures submitted by Motorcycle Views members. A gallery called "58 Years of Indian" is provided that gives a picture and description for each model year from 1901 to 2003.

There are many years not covered in this gallery. Your help is solicited for the following years. If you own one of these models or used to, please submit a picture and description to help us complete the gallery.

1901-1927
1929-1935
1937-1945
1948-1953

Take a look at 58 Years of Indian and then send us a picture of your Indian motorcycle.

58 Years of Indian Motorcycles - A Picture Gallery

Indian began making motorcycles in 1901 as the Hendee Manufacturing Company. The first production model was in 1902 and 143 units were produced. In 1903 376 motorcycles were sold. It continued production through 1953 when it no longer made the classic Indian. In 1999 Indian motorcycles were again produced, this time by the Indian Motorcycle Corporation. This was not the same company but it did have rights to the Indian name and trademarks.

I have re-created a gallery of Indian motorcycles that I had on the old site. I take a look at Indian models from the first model in 1901 to the present as provided in pictures submitted by members of the old site and some new members from my Motorcycle Views site. A gallery called "58 Years of Indian Motorcycles" is provided that will eventually give a picture and description for each model year from 1901 to 2003.

I want to update this gallery with pictures of Indian motorcycles. If you own an Indian motorcycle now or had a family member who owned one in the past, please consider submitting a picture and description of it for the gallery.

Take a look at 58 Years of Indian Motorcycles.