The "The Indians Are Coming!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Sitting on a an

Indian Chieftain in the Hernley Indian Motorcycle of Lancaster County showroom. Brought back memories from years ago when I sat waiting for my blind date on my Honda motorcycle.  She eventually became my wife and the cycle became history shortly after.  Anyway, for quite a few months I have been writing stories on my blog about the use of Indian names and how disrespectful some can be.  I must admit, when I walked in this store and saw all the Indian motorcycles, jackets, shirts, wallets, hats, table coasters, and a bunch or other items carrying an Indian head on it, I was a bit worried.  

The Classic in another variety of the Indian.  Check our
the classic leather saddlebags.  Really cool ride!

 But, I must admit that this product and the way that the Indian logo is used is nothing but a positive way that people of Indian ancestry can be proud to have as a legacy.  The Hernley dealership told me that they are very aware of the negativity that has been brought to the Native Americans through sports teams and are sensitive toward the advertising that they use to promote their product.  The Chieftain that I am sitting on is a remarkable piece of engineering.  The 

This is a 1946 Indian Chief in Seafoam Blue.  It has a 74 CI,
1200 CC engine.  It is on loan from a customer.  Check out
the seat on this beautiful Indian motorcycle.

rich history of Ameri- ca's first motor- cycle com- pany dates back to the early 1900s.  The Indian Motorcycle played a big part in WWII as well as supplying motorcycles for some of our nation's largest city police forces.  But, in the early 1950s the Indian Motorcycle Company struggled with re-entry into the public market and by 1953 was forced to halt production.  

Check out the neat logo on the front wheel-cover.

 It wasn't until the mid 2000s that the brand name started gaining some attention.  The Polaris Company added one of motor- cycling's legendary names to their stable of Victory Motorcycles when they bought the rights to Indian Motorcycles.  The new era of Indian Motorcycles will bring the Thunder Stroke 111 engine to the forefront and was unveiled to the public this past August at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota.  

The Thunder Stroke 111 engine.

 What a fitting place for the introduction of the bike that I once thought I had to have.  Well, sitting on the bike brought back that feeling …… but I'm afraid that the cost and my age might have nixed that thought.  Still really special to visit the Hernley dealership and look at the variety of motorcycles they carry.  I must admit that I didn't wander away from the Indian models over towards the Victory model which at one time was one of my favorites.  As I sat on the Chieftain I asked Gregg if he could take a photo of me on the cycle to show to my wife.  While talking to him he told me he was here today to pick up his new Indian he had ordered.  I followed him out the front door and there, in all it's bright red glory, stood his Indian Chieftain.  

Gregg with his new Indian Chieftain.

 What a thrill it must have been to drive it away from the dealership.  I did get a nice photo of him and gave him my blog address so he can see what it looks like.  Well, since I couldn't afford a new Indian, I had to at least buy a t-shirt.  Shucks, the one I wanted was sold out of my size.  Gave the lady at the counter my phone # and size I wanted and hope to make another trip back to the dealership in the near future.  Thanks to Duane, the owner, and Jim for the nostalgic time I  spent at their shop in Elizabethtown, PA.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.