Menus
- The great Indian persevered
- Indian Chief is a noticeable figure
- Maintenance doesn’t come cheap
- Heat damages the rear cylinder
- Price comparison and Indian Chief Vintage deals
Gargolov
31 photos
Gargolov
1/31
Froberg
2/31
All horses saddled? Tester Schwers lets the Vintage Chief gallop on the test bench during the input measurement.
Muller
3/31
Pfffft: The initial pressure loss test serves as a reference value for the final measurement after 50,000 kilometers.
Hertler
4/31
No fisimatents: As always, the engine is sealed to prevent manipulation during the inspections.
Gargolov
5/31
American Moments on the Indian Chief Vintage.
Manufacturer
6/31
Fuel level, on / off button and speedometer – the tank fittings of the Chief Vintage.
Manufacturer
7/31
There it goes. The Indian chief is optimistic about the future. The long-term test will show whether rightly so.
r-photography.info
8/31
Picture gallery: Long-term test interim balance sheet Indian Chief Vintage. The real street sweeper: The optional fringes (281 euros!) On the running boards sweep the asphalt. We removed them.
Arturo Rivas
9/31
Colossal motorcycle in the grandiose Italian Alps landscape. Or the other way around?
r-photography.info
10/31
Fully packed, Rainer Froberg went to the Volklinger Hutte World Heritage Site in 2015.
Jorg Lohse
11/31
As before: The illuminated Indian head with war jewelry, called “War Bonnet”, is emblazoned on the front fender. It first appeared on a Chief in 1947.
Jorg Lohse
12/31
As before: The illuminated Indian head with war jewelry, called “War Bonnet”, is emblazoned on the front fender. It first appeared on a Chief in 1947.
mps photo studio
13/31
Noticeable: after 40,000 kilometers of mileage, standard silencers significantly increased power output and “revving” over 3000 tours.
mps photo studio
14/31
The standard glass of the Chief Vintage, which is 1.52 meters high up to the upper edge, provides good shielding. But for tall drivers it is booming and turbulent and offers little drivers little perspective when it rains: drops pearl and don’t run off.
mps photo studio
15/31
At least the XXL sign is quick and easy to dismantle thanks to the clever locking mechanism. Or you can choose the lower accessory pane for 234 euros: its upper edge is “only” 1.44 meters high.
Yvonne Hertler
16/31
Thick buffalo leather looks very noble and valuable. But in everyday life, rain and UV light hit the animal skin very hard.
Gerry Wagner
17/31
Coherent 16-inch spoked wheels were originally even fitted with whitewall tires. But when the tire was changed recently, the inside of the steel rims was rusty.
Manuel Fuchs
18/31
Fits into the picture: it doesn’t always have to be the prairie when the horizon beckons.
Rossen Gargolov
19/31
A perfect fit: bends running straight down – a trademark since 1916.
Yvonne Hertler
20/31
The experts from MOTORRAD and Indian examine the dismantled endurance test motorcycle.
Jacek Bilski
21/31
Rain and sun put a huge strain on the buffalo leather on the bench and suitcase. A clear case for long-term care.
Jacek Bilski
22/31
The cylinders show only minor traces of wear and are dimensionally and dimensionally stable.
Jacek Bilski
23/31
Crank drive: main and connecting rod bearings have a uniform contact pattern, the bearing clearances are OK. Somewhat deeper grooves can be seen on a connecting rod bearing.
Jacek Bilski
24/31
The exhaust valves, especially the rear ones, show scorch marks on the seats with crater formation. The valve seats are all widened.
Jacek Bilski
25/31
Cylinder head: The exhaust valves and the rear inlet valve are leaking, the compression on the rear cylinder has decreased significantly.
Jacek Bilski
26/31
The valve guides and stems are fine.
Jacek Bilski
27/31
Jacek Bilski
28/31
Both pistons show carbon deposits on the piston crown and slight scoring on the piston skirt.
Jacek Bilski
29/31
One of the three camshafts below. The tracks on the bearing journal are easy to see, but harmless
Gargolov
30/31
The Chief is more agile than it looks. Nevertheless – foresight and prudence always help.
31/31
And this is how the Indian Chief Vintage originally looked.
Indian Chief Vintage in the 50,000 km endurance test
The great Indian persevered
Only when the last screw is unscrewed, the largest bearing has been removed and the smallest groove has been inspected, you will find that you can no longer drive the Indian.
E.t was not just the result of a MOTORCYCLE endurance test back in 2008. After 50,000 kilometers, the Harley-Davidson Road King left everyone behind. At least in terms of durability. Zero breakdowns, hardly any wear and tear, no hassle. First place in the long-term test leaderboard. A sensation. And a historical burden – even if it has now slipped to fourth place. Because since then it is no longer enough for American and other heavy metal to dim away any technical competence with the endless loop of the “Lonesome Cowboy”, further prairie and sunset. Since then it has also been said for the fat people: butter for the fish.
Buy complete article
Indian Chief Vintage in the 50,000 km endurance test
The great Indian persevered
Starting difficulties in cold weather
As if the Indian weren’t having a hard enough time anyway. Since the parent company Polaris announced the end of the sister brand Victory on January 9, 2017, the redskins have had to do it all by themselves. By that time, the Chief Vintage had already scrubbed 40,000 kilometers. And what had happened up to then? As for the technology, nothing spectacular. Or shall we say, nothing that one could not have come to terms with. That the chrome burst from the side stand right at the beginning – a free gift. Exchanged on guarantee, done. However, the first cold nights caused an increased resting heart rate. The starter only managed to pull the 101 millimeter thick pistons through the cylinders early in the morning with great difficulty. That shouldn’t change until the end of the test. The US boom is not there alone. The combination of large displacement and power-hungry modern electronics at MOTORRAD already brought the batteries of the KTM 1290 Super Duke R or currently the Yamaha R1 to their knees during frosty times. To save the Chief’s honor: In the end, the massive V2 always started.
Indian Chief is a noticeable figure
Rossen Gargolov
The Indian was always an eye catcher.
Speaking of electrics. The bitchy flasher switch also accompanied the endurance test from start to finish. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t, was cleaned both on its own and by the workshop and then rebelled again and again. Probably the part should have simply been replaced during the first strike at 7,000 kilometers.
The buffalo leather on the bench and panniers also called for attention. Rain or sun bleached the animal skins in record time. For the two leather preparations in the workshop, the working time alone cost 490 euros. Because this can also be done at home with the “Tan Leather Restore Kit” (51 euros) and is considered a cosmetic repair, it was not included in the total cost balance.
Generally speaking, the subject of beauty. Seldom before has the driving staff with the Indian been approached so often – and so positively – about a motorcycle. When it comes to first-time interpersonal contact, the opulent American easily outperforms any West Highland Terrier puppy. Even if she’s driving more like a well-fed St. Bernard. The chief wants to be moved with caution and foresight with eight hundred pounds. Anyone who does this is amazed at how easily the battleship can be tamed. Assuming that the Dunlop American Elite tires, which will last forever, but are catastrophic when wet, have been replaced. The Pirelli Night Dragon GT (lifespan: 11,000 km) or Metzeler ME 888 Marathon Ultra (22,000 km) stick better and make the Indian more manageable – but also a little less stable when running straight ahead.
Maintenance doesn’t come cheap
Real worries about the buxom Indian tended to germinate in city traffic or simply in summer temperatures. In these situations, the engine control lamp kept warning of a heat collapse. After dismantling, it became clear that the sensors were not mistaken. But more about that later. Because previously, the Chief only showed up for the scheduled inspections in the workshop, albeit at 8,000 intervals. The costs in quick succession: 1,000 km 360 euros, 4,000 km 290 euros, 8,000 km 480 euros, 16,000 km 535 euros, 24,000 km 553 euros, 32,000 km 495 euros, 40,000 km 714 euros, 48,000 km 927 euros. These are not bargain tariffs. Especially since the expenses for the leather processing were excluded as mentioned. However: The costs for oil, air and oil filters and spark plugs are included as well as the mandatory replacement of the toothed belt (320 euros) for the 40,000 check and the replacement of fork oil and brake fluid for the 48,000 service.
The bottom line was that the appearance was very problematic in terms of quality and was only somewhat clouded by the worn front wheel bearings shortly before the end of the test (at 45,600 km). The repair was done under warranty.
Heat damages the rear cylinder
Jacek Bilski
The exhaust valves have suffered from operating temperatures.
Back to the subject of heat sensitivity. After dismantling, it became clear that the V2’s cries for help were indeed justified. The exhaust valves – especially that of the rear cylinder lying in the warm air flow of the person in front – are leaking, their valve seats widened. There the pressure loss was 56 percent instead of four at the beginning at the end of the test! Even if the valve guides, camshafts and rocker arms are still OK, overhauling the heads before reassembly is inevitable. The leaks are clearly recognizable from the torque curves in the range below 4,000 rpm. In practice, however, the Indian only loses when pulling from 60 to 100 km / h. There was also no oil consumption towards the end of the test. A modified cooling air routing should be able to master this problem from model year 2015.
And otherwise? Just take a look at the wear diagram. Everything in the green area. The running gear is also full of sunshine. The frame, paintwork and chrome parts survived three winters well. The gearbox, shift forks and clutch can be reused just like cylinders and pistons. Therefore to refer to the European development history of the 1,811 cm³ block would certainly be presumptuous. Even if the crankshaft is from Hoeckle, the pistons from Mahle and the electrics are from Bosch, and the entire construction was created by the Swiss Polaris subsidiary Swissauto. Because not only Indian has proven: Even fat people can hold on.
Price comparison and Indian Chief Vintage deals
1000PS marketplace app
The Indian Chief Vintage is represented several times in the used exchange.
As the owner of an Indian Chief Vintage you are in a very exclusive club, because this cruiser is rarely seen on the road. The prices are high and the second hand offer. For everyone who wants to own an Indian Chief Vintage in the near future, here is a price overview of current used vehicles: used Indian Chief Vintage in Germany.
Related articles
-
Endurance test final balance Victory Hammer S
mps photo studio 14 pictures Bilski 1/14 endurance test final balance of the Victory Hammer S – disassembled after 50000km. Bilski 2/14 From the pole wheel are small …
-
Victory Hammer S – endurance test interim balance
Gargolov endurance test interim balance Victory Hammer S The cruiser in endurance test Victory – the American company appeared out of nowhere in 1998 and …
-
Indian Chief from 1946 and Indian Chief Vintage 2014
Gargolov 36 pictures Gargolov 1/36 Revival in the wigwam: Indian is back! Gargolov 2/36 Gargolov 3/36 Gargolov 4/36 Gargolov 5/36 Gargolov 6/36 …
-
Endurance test Honda CRF 1000 L Africa Twin
Jorg Kunstle 39 pictures Markus Biebricher 1/39 End: Reporter Mike Schumann (left) and travel uncle Markus Biebricher (right) escorted with their private …
-
Endurance test Ducati Multistrada 950 2017
Jacek Bilski 34 pictures Jacek Bilski 1/34 The Ducati Multistrada 950 has passed the MOTORRAD endurance test over 50,000 kilometers since May 2017. Hertler …
-
Honda Gold Wing GL 1800 endurance test final balance
Jacek Bilski 34 photos ADAC 1/34 I’ve never taken apart an engine that looked this good, everything here looks more like 5,000 than 63,000 kilometers….
-
Endurance test final balance of the Kawasaki ZX-10R
Bilski endurance test final balance sheet Kawasaki ZX-10R Too good to strip After 50,000 kilometers it is opened, looked inside and measured. So are the …
-
Endurance test final balance Harley-Davidson Road King
Bilski Endurance Test Final Balance Harley-Davidson Road King Endurance Test King Road King Sizzling! The cool blonde sparkles freshly in the stemmed glass, shines brightly …
-
KTM 1290 Super Duke R in the 50,000 km endurance test
44 pictures 1/44 endurance test final balance sheet KTM 1290 Super Duke R. r-photography.info 2/44 autumn trip, the first: …
-
Endurance test final balance: Aprilia NA 850 Mana
Archive endurance test final balance: Aprilia NA 850 Mana 50,000 kilometers with the automatic bike Mana mana, badibidibbi: Anyone who knows Sesame Street remembers …