weeks66 Posted April 24, 2005 Share Posted April 24, 2005 hi everyone, i'm seriously looking to purchase a indian chief with the p p motor.i currently own a hd v-rod and a hd road king. i allways loved the old indians but was dissapointed when the new co. used an s & s motor and wanted about 25 large for them. i love the looks of the new p.p but i heard there were major problems oil, crank shaft, cam shaft ... i'm nervous about buying something that expensive and having to shell out another 4 grand to fix it. would i be better off looking for a rare 04? or are there some 03's with no problems? please give me a honest answer. thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest_ikonboard Posted April 24, 2005 Share Posted April 24, 2005 They all have the same problems. They cost about $3,500 to get fixed. Compared to the price they sold for new you should be able to pick one up, ride it till it falls apart (if it does) and get it rebuilt for less then MSRP. The rebuild seems to be built into the current resale prices. We got a guy on here selling a PP100 that is show quality. Wants around $19,000 (OBO) for his bike. Even if you have to rebuild the motor it would be worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest_ikonboard Posted April 24, 2005 Share Posted April 24, 2005 Here is an early picture of Steve (skielty) and his bike when it was stock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weeks66 Posted April 24, 2005 Author Share Posted April 24, 2005 i read in cruizer mag. that indian corrected all the motor problems for the 04's ( even changed the exhaust). i know someone selling an 04 springfield for 25k.is it worth it? would it be a collectors item? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest_ikonboard Posted April 24, 2005 Share Posted April 24, 2005 huh? Boy they lied to you! The 04's are fixed , uh ,huh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Daddy Posted April 24, 2005 Share Posted April 24, 2005 you can get a better deal on something like skeilty's scoot...he has a ton of stuff done to it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest_ikonboard Posted April 24, 2005 Share Posted April 24, 2005 i read in cruizer mag. that indian corrected all the motor problems for the 04's ( even changed the exhaust). i know someone selling an 04 springfield for 25k.is it worth it? would it be a collectors item? If you want to collect the 04 is the way to go. It will also need to be fixed though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KC Cheef Posted April 24, 2005 Share Posted April 24, 2005 I'd be waiting on a STELLICINDIAN!! Those fuckers are gonna rock. Well-maybe--when they build them--Well--if they build them--well fuck it--buy Skielties!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest_ikonboard Posted April 24, 2005 Share Posted April 24, 2005 I'd be waiting on a STELLICINDIAN!! Those fuckers are gonna rock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dparch Posted April 24, 2005 Share Posted April 24, 2005 i have an 04 Chief Roadmaster, the 04's PP100's were supposed to have had the upgrades done to them, the wrench that looked at mine says it has the upgrades, and mine did have a different exhaust on it. Beware of purchasing any 04 sight unseen, there are numerous fraudulent 04's out there, check the vin and engine numbers and any paperwork the seller has fom who they bought it from originally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock Posted April 24, 2005 Share Posted April 24, 2005 be best to buy a gently used one with all the modifications from someone we all know quite well here like Skielty rather than someone that is a stranger with a bike sight unseen... I would be getting that Chief from Skielty or one of our other members....wasnt one for sale from one of our female members as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weeks66 Posted April 24, 2005 Author Share Posted April 24, 2005 thanks brock 63, i don't want to sound like a picky pain in the ass but i norrowed it down to an 03 vintage black or red, or any 04 chiefs. if ya know of one for sale, please let me know. thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pop Posted April 24, 2005 Share Posted April 24, 2005 '04 springfield for sale '03 Vintage for sale That's just Ebay today. They come and they go. Cycle Trader, Walneks, some dealers past and present still have new stock listed on websites. First, these guys aren't shucking and jiving you man. That ride of Skielty's is a peach. It's had about a bazillion chrome geegaws added, some Indian and some one off custom. The money he's asking is a fine number for the mountain of nice touches already done. Even if you bought it and shipped the motor out straightaway for a rebuild, the math says that for around 23k you would have one of the finer examples of IMCo PP Chiefs anywhere. I dont' know Skielty so I got no dog in the fight, but the bike is saweet. OK, enough trying to pitch you for what you don't seem eager to jump on. Next thing. Be wise. Understand that the PowerPlus is a powerful, well thought out 21 century example of good old fashioned Vtwin tech. It's internals are largely interchangeable with HD Evolution style motors, so it has the benefit of parts availability. That's the good news. The bad news is, you will need those parts. The production run of 100 inch PP motors was, from all indications, pretty much the same motor on the first day as the last day. You can make the logical observations that the motor was being improved during the production run. Add to that the reports that early motors suffered from individual casting issues that were remedied when repeat molding replaced individual sandcasting. Further, vendor provided internals, some critical, were changed over time due to cost and/or failure analysis so origination of some motor parts varies over the production run. There is no reason to suspect that an '04 model is going to provide you any comfort from failure though. I don't think the line assemblers were in the know during the final days at Gilroy, but many managers had to have a sense. The '04's were not likely treated to any special consideration. More likely is that they suffered at the hands of a corrupt management that was slowly shutting off the tap. Maybe not, but the pros and cons for '04's make it a wash. One thing is certain about the '04's. Indian, as all mass manufacturers do, sought better pricing from their vendors. In '04 there were changes in handlebar controls and lights (kinda fuzzy on this but I think some other stuff too) that was the result of finding vendors to provide components cheaper. Might not translate to cheaper components, but I would be skeptical that the '04's were offering finer components for an intitial lower cost. Anyway, whatever way you go there's another thing to consider. IF you can find a bike that offes a warranty, that should weigh in your decision unless you are made of money. A stock bike will likely cost 3 to 4k to get the mechanical issues resolved. Not everyone will be affected and you may be in the unaffected bunch, but I make a lot of bets and my gut says that you spending 4k on that motor within 10000 miles is a way safe bet. A warranty, for a grand or whatever, is betting a buck to make four bucks. Good return. So, there's yer down and dirty. You have the benefit of foreknowledge most of us didn't. I thought that buying a Vintage, an '03 model, was going to save me the misery of the '02 first year shakeout. Well, they sure showed me. Was I ripped off? Man, how far from the truth can you get. Would I buy it again? Only as long as my heart is beating. You don't jump on Skielty's bike one of us is going to. If I can figger how to do it and stay out of divorce court again, it could well be me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest_ikonboard Posted April 24, 2005 Share Posted April 24, 2005 Click HERE and you will be taken to a thread that tells you all about Steves bike. Here is a more recent picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indian T Posted April 24, 2005 Share Posted April 24, 2005 Click HERE and you will be taken to a thread that tells you all about Steves bike. Here is a more recent picture. That bike IS sweeeeeeeet. I want it, but alas...I can't have it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weeks66 Posted April 24, 2005 Author Share Posted April 24, 2005 thanks pop, thats alota info to digest. steve's bike looks awsome, there's more crome on it than there is on my s.e road king.at 19k he's taking a beating. i invested about 12k in exras between my road king and v-rod. you almost have to with harleys to have a little uniqueness, plus stock looks like shit.i never seen a new indian up close but judging from pictures they don't need much, there unique design stands alone. correct me if im wrong. i also have a rare aniversary 02 triumph bonnie (wifie's)i sunk about 2500 into. it will be nice to have something totally stock. i spoke with the guy on ebay with the 04 he says the new indian co. offered him 23k, he wants at least 24k (what he paid ) is it worth it? im a computer idiot i don't know how to give you a link but if you go to motorcyclecruiser.com (a very reperable mag. ) there's an article tittled indian's still born 04 motorcycles". it says there were 170 changes to the 04's including new crankshaft,camshaft, ignition,new head castings,lubrication, exhaust .... is this bullshit? if not the 04 might be worth the investment. im not shure how i feel about the new indian ownership, british co owning an american legend. i might just wait and see thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest_ikonboard Posted April 24, 2005 Share Posted April 24, 2005 is this bullshit? If you just read Pops last reply , then you know the answer to your own question!!! Ya gotta figure if the new Indian owners will only go 23k , what does that tell you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satdiver Posted April 24, 2005 Share Posted April 24, 2005 Weeks66, Dump the V-Rod (that is the ugliest HD ever made) and dump the SE Road Queen (let me guess they only made 500,00 of those Special Editions). Take that cash and put it down on a PP100 Chief. You may experience a few growing pains with her, but there is nothing that can't be fixed. Plus you have the best source of information for 'Anything" related to your Indian right here on this forum. Once you ride a Chief, there will be no going back, as nothing else can compare to a PP100 Chief. Take the plunge, you won't sorry. Ride Safe, AW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weeks66 Posted April 24, 2005 Author Share Posted April 24, 2005 the retail price for a 04 springfield was supposed to be about 20k. 23k sounds like a lot for a chapter 11 co. don't ya think? there's a clown in iowa asking 30k, pushing the " collector's item " angle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest_ikonboard Posted April 24, 2005 Share Posted April 24, 2005 the retail price for a 04 springfield was supposed to be about 20k. 23k sounds like a lot for a chapter 11 co. don't ya think? there's a clown in iowa asking 30k, pushing the " collector's item " angle Yeah that collectors shit is why all the Indians are soo fucking high in the first place! Theres a sweet looking 02 Chief Blk/Cre in Fort Bragg , California (northern Cal) , he wants 16.5k , he claims to have invested an additional 27k in the bike , however , the engine has not had the rebuild , but for that price it might be worth it! It is an awesome looking bike! Its in CycleTrader Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weeks66 Posted April 24, 2005 Author Share Posted April 24, 2005 aztec warrior your right about one thing, this is a great forum and a great bunch of guys but the v-rod is the best thing harley ever did ( get your mind set out of the 1930's ) and they only made 475,00 r.d.'s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indian T Posted April 24, 2005 Share Posted April 24, 2005 Weeks66,Dump the V-Rod (that is the ugliest HD ever made) and dump the SE Road Queen (let me guess they only made 500,00 of those Special Editions). Take that cash and put it down on a PP100 Chief. You may experience a few growing pains with her, but there is nothing that can't be fixed. Plus you have the best source of information for 'Anything" related to your Indian right here on this forum. Once you ride a Chief, there will be no going back, as nothing else can compare to a PP100 Chief. Take the plunge, you won't sorry. Ride Safe, AW He's right. I have a good friend who works at The Harley plant. She offered me the employee discount (which is very nice) on a new bike of my choice. I looked at all the area dealerships and although I would be getting a sweet deal, I wasn't sure what I wanted. Then I walked into an Indian dealer. I told my friend thanks for the offer, but I'm getting an Indian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TribalChief Posted April 24, 2005 Share Posted April 24, 2005 the retail price for a 04 springfield was supposed to be about 20k. 23k sounds like a lot for a chapter 11 co. don't ya think? there's a clown in iowa asking 30k, pushing the " collector's item " angle Keep in mind that the Chief Springfield was the cheapest chief new, mainly due to the lack of extras. Vintage has a bunch of extras, some you may want, some may not. If you like the Vintage look, you can buy a chief for a low price and make it look like one; paint, air cleaner, etc if you want. If it were me, looking at all the chrome and work done on Skielty's, I would buy his and paint it the way I want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest_ikonboard Posted April 24, 2005 Share Posted April 24, 2005 the retail price for a 04 springfield was supposed to be about 20k. 23k sounds like a lot for a chapter 11 co. don't ya think? there's a clown in iowa asking 30k, pushing the " collector's item " angle Keep in mind that the Chief Springfield was the cheapest chief new, mainly due to the lack of extras. Vintage has a bunch of extras, some you may want, some may not. If you like the Vintage look, you can buy a chief for a low price and make it look like one; paint, air cleaner, etc if you want. If it were me, looking at all the chrome and work done on Skielty's, I would buy his and paint it the way I want. In the long run. It would be the cheapest (and fastest) way to go. Just paint if you really want to and the motor fixed. Look at all the other stuff that has already been done to it. Hell, it could enter a show as is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weeks66 Posted April 24, 2005 Author Share Posted April 24, 2005 can ya still buy authentic indian accessories like saddle bags, wind shield,crome..... and will they fit on an 04? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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