Ultimate Indian Accessory?

ULTIMATE INDIAN ACCESSORY?

WHAT TO GIVE THE Indian collector who already has everything? How about an overheadvalve conversion for the old flathead Chief motor? That’s the idea behind Wigwam Engineering’s “Tomahawk” kit.

Peter Arundel, a wealthy Australian building contractor and certifiable Indian nut (last count he had 65), funded development of the kit. It consists of new cylinder and head castings, Honda XL350 pistons, automotive pushrods and purpose-built valvegear. A modern 42mm Mikuni flatslide is specified. Engine cases remain stock Indian.

Rumors had horsepower

readings at least doubling a stock 74-cubic-inch Chief’s 26 rear-wheel blip, so Cycle World invited Starklite Indian, U.S. importers of the kit, to hook up their Tomahawk demo bike to our dynamometer. Results? Thirty-two horsepower and 52 foot-pounds of torque, the latter up 2 from the stocker. Useful increases both, certainly noticeable out on the road, but not exactly the fire-breather early reports promised.

Be warned also that this isn’t a casual conversion. The kit itself goes for a whopping $6200-and that doesn't inelude the earh. the new flywheels and con-rods required, or the labor needed to assemble the parts and modify the frame (an inch in height has to be added to clear the rocker boxes). Figure a cool SI OK, easy.

As Gary Stark himself says, “This isn’t for every Indian owner...”

Should you want to be the first on your block, contact Starklite at 909/780-0421 or log on at wvnr.stark!ite.com.

David Edwards