A Ride Down Memory Lane

By Brad (DangerMouse) Joyce

The Indian Four was the ultimate in luxury cruising in its day. Its four-cylinder engine was technically complex, yet incredibly smooth. It’s graceful bodywork spoke more of quiet elegance than loud braggadocio. It was somehow a more equine machine than its competition.
When Yamaha introduced the Royal Star, a technically complex, smooth running four-cylinder, elegant luxury cruiser, it was as is if a baton were being passed from the old generation to the new. It was the first machine from Japan that attempted to compete with Harley-Davidson. They weren’t trying to ape the big HD’s like Kawasaki and Honda had tried, making bikes that had the look but not the feel. Yamaha instead created a genuine alternative. The introduction of the V Star was the rebirth of the Scout. The Road Star resurrected the Chief.

I frequent antique motorcycle shows to seek out these stepfathers of the Stars. I examine them carefully to try to unlock the mystery of Springfield’s finest. I look for ideas to apply to my own Star. But most of all, I just ogle the damn things!

This is a Blackhawk Chief. It is one of the last Indians to come from the plant in Springfield affectionately known as ‘The Wigwam’. Note the hydraulic forks, the Indian Head Mascot light on the fender, the fully valenced fender, and the ‘chum-me’ saddle. This is one of the most highly sought after bikes in the antique market. Very few Blackhawks were produced. This finely restored example is from the early 1950s.

This is an early 1940s Scout. Unsure if the valenced fenders would appeal to a large audience, they were offered as an option in 1940. Note that the front fender is even more full than the Blackhawk above. Chrome is very tastefully restricted. Note the front suspension. This may be one of the prettiest solutions a Motorcycle engineer ever devised to eat up bumps in the road. This model may just be my favorite Indian.

Can you imagine that paint like this was available from the factory? This specific model has a layer of recent paint, but it is not an uncommon theme. When DuPont bought the Indian Motocycle Company, they were able to utilize their extensive experience with paint to offer some of the industry’s most interesting schemes ever offered. These were called rainbow finishes. Many restorers recreate this look. Original paint like this is highly sought after.

Ahh, the Scout 101. There are still to this day active clubs for this bike. Even though the bike is nearly 70 years old, something insane like 65% of them are still on the road. For it’s time it is considered to be by many the finest motorcycle ever produced. What a gem of a restoration, too! It’s graceful lines are somehow still beautiful today. I was very pleasantly surprised to see such a fine example.

This is Indian’s mighty Chief before the valenced fenders of the 1940s. Note the leaf-spring front suspension. This type of suspension was used all the way through the 30s. Indian designers felt that chrome was gaudy if over used. This incredible restoration retains the blacked out wheels, forks, and handlebars of the original. Customizers looking to out-Arlen-Ness each other could learn a thing or two from the understated elegance of black chrome.


In my opinion, psychiatrists could use this bike to determine if their patients are sane. I’m afraid that if the utter beauty of this visually striking machine does not move you, you may belong on a Honda standard. The wide whites, the brown leather, the rich two-tone paint, the generous yet tasteful chrome – it all adds up to classic beauty. I think I’m in love. This bike was near the stage at the bike show where a bikini contest was being held. I honestly can’t tell you who won.