2000 Indian Chief
Frame no. 5CDCNB514YG004138

Following the demise of the original Indian company in 1953, there were sporadic attempts to revive what had been one of America's foremost motorcycle marques. The original company had been split in the early 1950s, resulting in a legal tangle that frustrated efforts to revive production and would not be resolved until 1999 with the formation of the Indian Motorcycle Corporation. The latter resumed production with, naturally enough, a v-twin, though in order to meet modern-day power and emissions requirements an overhead-valve engine was used instead of Indian's traditional 'flat-head' motor. The new Chief's air-cooled power unit displaced 87.99ci (1,442cc) and produced 75bhp at 5,200rpm. There was a five-speed transmission, belt final drive and disc brakes on both wheels. While the engineering was up-to-the-minute, the styling was unashamedly 'retro', the distinctive gas tank and 'Art Deco' fenders recalling the classic Indian models of the 1940s. Sadly, although the bikes were good, the company's financial foundations were less secure and production ceased in 2003. Currently displaying a total of only 1,320 miles (approximately 2,125 kilometres) on the odometer, this unregistered Chief was imported from the USA in May 2001 and comes with manufacturer's Certificate of Origin and importation/customs documents certifying that duties have been paid in France.