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Published on 06 February 2023

Hey mate; Thanks for the reply/kind comment, but you wouldn't say that if you saw my vehicles, they get dusty, as I am not a "polish up" person, but they are mechanically perfect. I took Stag out all day yesterday, and (again) was dusty, as can't remember last time I washed it. But I knew it would be perfect/get me home/be like driving any other car reliability wise. For example, my BSA may not look as good/shiny as the three that sold here, but as an example, the swingarms has special bushes that are rubber isolated. They are called "silentbloc" bushes. Mine had seized to the centre shaft, and the puller distorted the mounting lugs (frame). Had to drill them out. VERY carefully. That left the frame lugs very distorted. So I got the frame specs, and they allow 10 thou variation in the centering of those lugs. So +/- 5 thou. I had to straighten/bend mine to that, so why not make it perfect? So mine are EXACTLY centre to within a thou. Pedantic? Some people polish........... and if they do that perfectly, good for them. Wheras I try and get mech dimensions/fitting perfect. Each to their own. It may not matter to some, but I know it is there.............. The Indian story. I don't tell it much, as I usually just get abused (probably will and then delete) - but here goes. People love the bikes (so do I) and once they buy one defend them. But when I buy a bike, I expect certain "back up"; and for me it just wasn't there. I wanted an Indian when they came out. Never liked cruisers, but as you get older, well; want to try one to see, and if I wait too long, knees won't hold one up. Indian came out. LOVED it. Loved the whole point. That point to me was "retro/build on heritage/looks great/but modern reliability." So, I start looking. Standard Chief is going to cost me 35 grand, 5 grand for pipes/etc - 40 grand. Now, for a tightward like me to spend 40 grand on a bike I will ride a few times a year, and I have NEVER bought a new car........ I must REALLY want one. Chief comes with spokes, and in three ok, but a bit bland colours (back then). EVERY Indian PR thing shows GREAT two tone colours = "can't get them in that....." To get any decent colour range/two tone, 5 grand more for "Vintage". I don't like tassles. Does Vintage come with no tassles? No. So - 45 grand now, and have to buy seat off Chief, etc etc. Then they slim Chief range, because they are concentrating on the Scout. Now, Scout more mainstream, but also FAR MORE competition. Ads show arty "influencers" telling me "why I want an Indian." All I wanted was a Chief with spokes and a decent colour. Indian respond with Chief with mags only, and in matte black - and WHITE (looks hideous, withdrawn after 5 minutes. They do bizarre things like get consultancy on paint. Get told they need infra red drying paint plant. They skimp and get air dry paint plant. Huge recall on Scout tanks as "bubbles in the paint". The fuel gauge on Chief gets moisture in it - they REMOVE it and replace with a plastic plug. Oil cooler gives trouble - they delete it. They have dealer in Mandurah (here, local) inside a Holden dealer. NO local advertising. PERFECT locality, Mandurah is an outdoor community, short ride to hills and southwest. I am in a social group, many with bikes. NO ONE knows the Indian dealer is there. I only know because a mate bought one, had to go there, tell THEM what colour came in (they argued)....... and they made it hard. So - all I want is a Chief with spokes and a decent paint job. Not much to ask for 40 grand. Some say "get the base and custom paint....." Then it makes it 50 grand. The ONLY option for me is the Springfield........ every time I looked at it, different colour............... My mate in Sydney always had old bikes (Norton/Triumph). He bought a Harley a few years old. I went to dealer (always had cold reception from Harley dealers, so wary). They had a year old softail deluxe for 21 grand with 2,000 k's on it. No, it is not an Indian. It doesn't have the full valanced retro sweeping guards of the Indian. But it has the spokes I want in the colour I want for HALF the price of the Indian. And if I sell it, I will get close to my money back. Indian changed direction/had no idea what direction they were taking to me. Their markeing didn't give me confidence. I LOVE their bikes. But to me, the company has no idea what they have/what they are doing. That doesn't matter to some. It matters to me. Cheers mate. Pics attached - Trident T150v 1,000 coming together.