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Show TheSalt Lake Tribune BUSINESS E4 Sunday, November25,, 2001 Indian Makesa Patriotic Appeal Motorcycle companycreateslimited edition in honor of American spirit USA TODAY GILROY, Calif. managementdecisions and the nation'slove affair with the automobile, Indian shuttered its shop. Over the decades, the Indian brand namewas used and George Krupezak always takes great care. when assembling ~a $20,000-and-up Indian motorcy misused bya varietyof individuals who peddled restau. cle. But there is an added gen. tility in the way his hand runs across a gas tank embossed witha fluttering American flag. “What happened on Septem: ber 11 was just plain sad. s the factory worker. “Working on these bikes just makes me feel so proud.” The model at Krupczak’s workstationis alimited-edition cruiser‘ called the American Spirit, which supplements In dian’s traditionallineup: Scout, Spirit and Chief. Only 200 AmericanSpirits will be made; a portion of profits will goto- warddisasterrelief. “Wefelt, we had to do something. There are connections between Indian and the times we're going through,” says In dian CEO Frank O'Connell, captain of a legendary Ameri can companythat started 100 years ago, reached its zenith in the "40s, died in the ‘50s, and was reborn in a Colorado bankruptcycourt in 1998. “Earlier in the century, In dians were used by NewYork's police department, and during World WarII they were the two-wheeled counterpart to Jeeps.Infact, the throttle is on theleft so you could shoot with yourright, O'Connell, a longtimemoto’ buff. “You can’t get more American than Indian.” Company officials stre theyare nottryingto capitalize onthetragedy thatcrontinues to grip the nation.’ But cle they hope patriotic times will meanringingregisters at Indi an’s 250 dealers ross. the United States and Car As for the cost of the bikes (the Chieftips thescales at a car-like $24,000), execs resist labeling an Indian purchase frivolous “These bikes tend bea part of our custome lives y Indian marketing chief Fran O'Hagan, whoadds that most Indianbuy¢?: ananee the bulk oftheir pur “T don't expect our market to vanish [due to economy],”h ‘Hey, terror ping to stop n from doing what I want to do.’ To buy is almost anact of defiance.” Indian's veryexistenceis an rants andclothing, but never motorcycles. Some. profiteers even woundupinjail for fraud The Indian trademark war bonneton a front fender of a bike at the Indian motorcycle factory in Gilroy, Calif. after soliciting investment for an Indian’ renaissance that n 998, a Colorado bank. judge vowed to turn act of defiance. The saga bears telling. over exclusiverights to the Indian nameonlytoa consortium dedicated to making motorcy- Founded in 1901 by bicycle racer George Hendee and engi cles. When a group of U.S. and the Canadianinvestors showed up in court with a working Indian Springfield, Mass.-based company quickly roared to the prototype, they won the multimillion-dollaryight to the neer Oscar Hedstrom, forefront of motorcycle tech: nology, breaking land speed records in theprocess. By 1920, Indian was considered the nation’s premier brand, despite strong competi. tion from Harley-Davidsonand Excelsior. With the introduc: tion and subsequent development ofthe Scout, the company defined its image. Low-slung with massive fenders, the 1940s Scout exuded practicality (the lowcenter of gravity made maneuvering easier) and style (Scout DNA is visible in today’s trio of mod: els, at once retro andtimeless). But theride was destinedto end. In 1953, due to poor name That group is nowled by CEO O'Connell, whorecently infused the company with $45 million in outside investment. ‘The cash comes not a moment too soon. Although Indian has sold roughly 7,000 motorcycles since 1998, many were plagued Photos by Jack Gruber/USAToday Indian Chief motorcycles are lined up at the Indian motorcycle warehouse in Gilroy, Calif. The companyis making a limitededition, U.S.flag-bearing modelcalled the American Spin. A portion of the proceeds from motorcycle saleswill go to disasterrelief for the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. really back will come with a People are drawn to this mo- newengine. The motor is the most exciting part of any motorcycle, and it has to be theirs says Mark Mederski, Indian engineis in the works, torcycle.It makes a statement.” Indian execs counter that an butnote that the issue seems to director of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum in Pickering- be more pressing for industry pundits than owners, many of Experts argue that in order to ceed long-term, Indian ton, Ohio, where an exhibit on the history of Indian runs through December2002. style. mustaddressits quality issues “There are challenges ahead by poor quality. Furthermore, the bikes use engines made by S&Sof Viola, Wis whom are drawnto an Indian’s Anumberofcelebrities have bought Indians (every bike is madeto order). Peter Fonda of and come up with its ownpro- prietary engine. Otherwise. (n- for Indian. The ground clearanceis so-so, as arethe brakes dian will remain a kit bike, a and suspension,” says Cycle Frankenstein-like mishmashof out-sourcedpieces. World editor David Edwards. his in tangerine orange. George Clooney requested that the “But their sheer curb appeal is generating a lot of attention. abundant chromeonhis Indian be coated with a matte-black “The proof that Indian is “Easy Rider” fame owns one. Lawrence Fishburne wanted finish, toaccent an Army green paint scheme and tan leather seat. Duringa tour of the company’s 250,000-square-footfacility (housed in a former grocery store warehouse 90 minutes south of San Francisco), a numberofspecial-edition bikes dotted the grounds. Easyriders magazine catalog. ca Tuesday, 2001 Scaon erie or eenie mean Beet MonTegeent te Dien of Facies {Construction and Management. 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