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The History of the 1970's Indian Dirtbike / dirt bike
By: blackwidow340( 2634Feedback score is 1000 to 4,999) Top 5000 Reviewer
24 out of 25 people found this guide helpful.

Floyd Clymer 1968-1970

Motorcycle man extrordinaire, Mr. Clymer, dreamed of a reborn Scout and Chief line of the big Indians.  What he succeeded most in was the mini models.  Imported to keep the Indian name alive and to introduce a younger set to the motorcycling world.  Clymer passed away in 1970, leaving his dreams unfulfilled, but successfully bringing the minis to America.

Alan Newman 1971-1976

Los Angeles attorney, Alan Newman, acquires rights to the Indian name and continues importing minicycles made by Italjet.  Thinking big, Newman plans his own cycle plant, larger 125/175cc models and possible 400cc units come in 1973-74.  His assembly plant wound up in Taipei, Taiwan and 70, 75, 80, 100, 125, 175cc engines would be imported.  Japan (Fuji) engines supplied the 100cc engines.  Morini 100's were used during the Clymer years.  70, 75, 80, 125, 175s were courtesy of Minerelli in Italy.  Italjet models (MM5A, M5A, JC5A) used Italian Morini powerplants.  Nothing larger than 175s were made except for one 1000cc prototype Indian that based heavily on a Ducati.  It was merely for show.  Indians' fortunes were dwindling by 1975.  1976 was the last year of restyling for the 100-175 models.  Sales kept dropping and Newman bowed out.  The word came out in January 1977:  The Indian Motorcycle Company was done. 


Guide ID: 10000000003832827Guide created: 06/19/07 (updated 08/29/09)

 
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