Honest Injun?

HONEST INJUN?

The new Indian Motorcycle Corporation took a big step toward legitimacy in January with the announcement of a proprietary engine that will power the 2002-model Chief. Still based on the familiar Harley Evo-style bottom end, the new motor gets rounder cylinders meant to resemble those of the original sidevalve Indians. Intake plumbing has been revised so the carb, a 42mm Mikuni flatslide, now resides on the left side, again a la old Indians. Displacement jumps to 100 cubic inches, or 1638cc. Big surprise is that S&S is not the engine supplier. Indian’s in-house engineers worked with Thunder Heart Performance, a design and manufacturing house, to develop prototypes. Production engines will be built in Michigan by Performance Assembly Solutions, a joint venture with Roush Industries.

S&S will continue to supply the 88-inch motors used in Indian s Scout and Spirit models. Less than a total redesign, but more than the simple reskinning of a clone motor, the new engine should go a long way toward eradicating the “Kit-bike" Stamt the Company has been Saddied with since its resurrection in 1999

David Edwards