January 2010 - The First Three Chiefs to Arrive in California!

The day started as any other Christmas Eve, folks were hurrying around finishing up any last minute shopping in anticipation for Christmas Day.  The guys at Indian Motorcycle Fresno found themselves with only one thing on their minds this Christmas Eve and it was to hurry into work with the anticipation for the first three California legal 2010 Indian Chiefs to arrive.

The Chiefs were supposed to arrive two days earlier, but because of weather delays across the county the arrival was delayed.  The arrival time was set the day before for 8 am sharp, so I arrived a little after 7 am to make sure everything was ready to go.  As I was tidying up the shop in anticipation we received a call from the transportation company saying they were running about an hour late.  We’ve been waiting two days so what was another hour, right? 

Well the hour of waiting patiently came and went and all of us were starting to get antsy.  Close to another hour went by and I see a big white enclosed transport truck heading towards our store.  He appeared to be lost because he flew right by our store and then the phone rang to confirm our suspicions.  It was understandable why he couldn’t find our store because we hadn’t received our signage for the front of our building, it still read Herwaldt Subaru.



 So after some quick directions he made a trip around the block and I was waiting on the street giving arm directions to make sure he turned into the right driveway this time.  He must have been an airline pilot in a previous life because he understood my hand signals and navigated the big transport truck that carried our much anticipated Indian Chief’s into the correct driveway.   As the driver made his way to the back lot behind the shop and stepped out of the truck he was welcomed by an excited group of guys. For goodness sakes, we have been waiting patiently for two days, two hours, fifteen minutes and 35 seconds for this shipment to arrive!



As the driver lowered the lift gate and started to wheel out the first bike, we were greeted by Indian’s hot rod of their stable, the Chief Dark Horse dressed in a Thunder Black Smoke matte paint.  This blacked out beauty couldn’t wait to get out of the dark recesses of the back of the transport truck, and as it came into the December sunlight we were able to see the muscular front end.  Staring at us was the glass chief L.E.D. fender light adorning the blacked out full bodied valanced front fender, and as the driver turned the Dark Horse broadside we saw the large multicolored head dress tank design that gave the bike it’s only color shining like a diamond through it’s blacked out persona.  The driver lowered the lift gate and as this beast touched the ground we were able to see the black and polished Power Plus 105ci engine mated to the Baker six speed transmission in all its glory.  We instantly gathered around the Dark Horse like a pack of wolves that hadn’t eaten in weeks.  Who was going to be the first to sit on the Chief?





The thought was going through all of our heads.  After some posturing, I decided to go for it and I threw a leg over the black premium leather saddle with fringe hanging from it like a commanding mane of hair.  As I sat in the saddle of this Dark Horse I felt as though this machine was custom made for me alone.  The seat was firm and extremely comfortable and the reach of the handlebars perfect for my 6’0 frame.  I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face nor did I want to.  The hungry wolves around me were getting restless so I decided to let the rest of the pack have their turn and every time another graced the saddle on this Dark Horse the result was the same - an infectious smile gleaming from ear to ear.

 

Gorgeous didn’t come close to describe what we saw next, an Indian Red Chief Vintage ripped our eyes from the Dark Horse as they were drawn towards this work of art that gleamed as it was being lowered from the truck.  History told the story of an  American Legend that refused to die, and we saw first hand the story continued with this machine.  From the tip of this Chief’s deep valanced front fender to the ergonomically designed genuine leather saddle, every detail of this motorcycle stroke a perfect balance between the legendary heritage of Indian and the comfort, style and performance that is demanded in a current machine.  The deep Indian Red paint gleamed in the winter sunlight like a brilliant ruby and the tan leather seat and saddlebags wore its hanging fringe like a badge of honor.





As if there wasn’t enough to look at and salivate over, we were in store for another treat, a Willow Green and Cream Chief Vintage with distressed tan leather, the crown jewel of them all.  The combination of this paint and leather brings back visions of old classic vintage Indian Motorcycles, I guess that’s why they named the model the Vintage.  This was the brother to the Indian Red Vintage only differentiating itself with two tone paint and distressed leather.  No vinyl or imitation leather here, only top quality leather and materials are used in creating these leather masterpieces, and the paint is so deep it was like looking in a mirror.





These beauties consist of the best fit and finish I have ever come across on a motorcycle.  Three craftsmen painstakingly hand build these machines one at a time and it is very apparent at first glance.  Only the best of the best goes into the production of Indian Motorcycles, such as Baker Transmision, Brembo Brakes, Magneti Marelli Fuel Injection system, Verlecchi frames, Metzler tires and much more.  

I hope you got a glimpse of what we saw and experienced on this very special Christmas Eve.  We invite you to drop by and see for yourself what these Chief’s are really all about.  We promise to deliver a personal touch with ultimate service delivered by our knowledgeable staff.  Weather you are attending an event or buying the Chief of your dreams, you can expect to be treated like a member of the tribe.



Here is a excerpt from Indian Motorcycle Company’s website that epitomizes what the passion and pride of the Indian Motorcycle is all about:

The Proud Bunch

“We're engineers and designers, stylists and assemblers, pattern makers and test riders, metal fabricators and painters, marketers and accountants. Many of us have been riding since we were kids packing behind our dads, some are newbies. Most are touring riders, a few get their thrills at the track. A couple have been known to pack everything except a cell phone into saddlebags and go AWOL for a week or two. One thing we all are is
proud, proud of where Indian has been ... even more proud of where it's going. You can't
claim pride as a "standard accessory" or put it on an engine spec sheet. Doesn't matter.  Pride -- our pride -- will be a key component of every Indian we build. Something you'll feel every time you mount up.”