Where's the Chief?

WHERE'S THE CHIEF?

WAYNF BAUGHMAN says his Company, Indian Motorcycle Manufacturing Incorporated, will build Century V-Twin Chiefs in nine months, in spite of problems with his 100.1cubic-inch engine and a contractor's contention that it can't be done.

Baughman vows that Chiefs will be made in October, 1995. He adds, however, “If it takes an extra 30 to 60 days to have things done correctly, that's what it will take.”

It will take much longer, claims Wayne Perkins, head of Western Design and Engineering. who is coordinating suppliers for IMMI. “It is going to take 15 to IS months,” Perkins said in mid-November, 1994. “Most people have no understanding of what it takes to build a motorcycle from scratch.”

Baughman, who says his retro-style bikes may not be called Indians, pending trademark litigation, admits, “I was naive about what it takes to get into mass production.”

IMMI's 40,000 square-foot production site was almost empty late last year, but Baughman says his schedule is realistic because the site will be used to assemble parts made elsewhere, rather than as a true factory.

Production would have already begun, but prototype engines needed more work than was expected, says IMMI.

Geoff Mika, who has resigned as IMMI's head of manufacturing, claims motor woes are more serious than the company admits. He says current engines will run for just 10 hours before grinding to a halt. Also needing major work is the transmission, which is wholly unsuitable for a motorcycle, adds Mika, who admits that he has discussed possible employment with Maurits Hayim-Langridge, the Australian who apparently owns the rights to the Indian name.

IMMI denies Mika's allegations. but it says the oil-cooled. Batten-designed engine is not the finished product. “The underlying assumption has been that what is in the prototype is the final engine,” says Don Sharp, IMMI technical publications editor and de facto spokesman. “Nobody here ever said it was.”

Ed Pink, a Southern California automotive engineer, was hired to evaluate the engine design and suggest changes, says IMMI. Pink's report was expected in January.

Production has been delayed several times, but Baughman says lie’s come a long way with limited funds. “Other people wouldn’t have gotten off the drawing board.” he says.

Baughman says he now has the money lie needs. Picking up a document prepared for investors, he said. “We printed up 100 of these and the people raising money for us called and said ‘Send 200 more.'” Baughman refused to release a copy of the report to Cycle World. “They’re expensive,” he claimed. “They go only to people who might invest in IMMI.”

Last fall, several people who invested in IMMI dealerships displayed the V-Twin Chief running prototype. Dana Lucci. co-owner of an IMMI shop in Westchester, Virginia says about 300 people came to see the Chief. “People like the way the bike looks and sounds.” she says. “Our customers can hardly wait.”

For now, though. Lucci has only T-shirts and such to sell. Soon, she and the rest of us will know when and if Century V-Twin Chiefs will be available, too. -Robert Hough