Created during a tumultous period, the Kings Mountain Bikes are rare gems as our two wheel loving journalist Guy Allen found out.
Back in the late 1990s through to early 2000s, the historic Indian motorcycles brand – established 1901 – had become something of a legal and business football.
Several companies claimed ownership and, when the USA courts finally settled the matter, the first business to run with the name went bust by 2003.
Known among enthusiasts as the Gilroy factory, it produced an interesting product, similar to what you see here, but was underfunded and cut corners in some areas.
The result was it eventually drowned in warranty claims.
Move on a few years and a new enterprise owned by venture capital firm Stellican came along and started the Kings Mountain factory.
It picked up the Gilroy design, refined and improved it, and sold machines like this 2009 Chief Vintage for a hefty US$35,000.
Just two years later, powersports giant Polaris came along and bought the factory, and by 2013 was launching a whole new range that owed nothing to these bikes other than a name.
What you’re looking at here is a very rare machine. Just 1134 of this generation of Indian were produced, up to 500 of which were this model – the Chief Vintage.
It runs similar architecture to a Harley-Davidson of the period, but is longer and very much its own machine.
The Powerplus engine displaces 105 cubic inches (1732cc), is air-cooled with two pushrod-actuated valves per cylinder, fuel-injected and runs a six-speed transmission with belt final drive.
Output is a modest 72hp (54kW) at 5000rpm with max torque of 110ft-lb (136Nm) at a low 3000rpm.
Pulling it up is a decent set of Brembo brakes, with four-spot calipers up front.
Quality suspension gives it decent handling, though the long wheelbase means it’s a slow steerer.
Only a handful of private imports made it to these shores, making it a rare beast in Australia.