found the Indian through a friend of a friend, in a dirt basement in Baltimore Md. in 1977. It was buried up to the axles in mud, parked for many years after a hard day on the road. The rear jug was separated from the cases a victim of seizure with the broken pieces some still bolted in place some laying inside. I was looking for a good deal, didn't matter on brand, I had finished a custom Triumph and was ready for some real punishment and looked like I had found something fun. Loving the looks of  flat head V twins and never noticing any Indian's on the road, I knew this was the project I'd been looking for. Made the deal for $200 and agreed to do an American flag paint job on his Triumph. He signed over the title, we loaded the bike up and I headed home to figure out what this thing was and what I was going to do with it, I was looking for chopper material! Got out the old Clymer service books and found I had a '36 most of the parts there with a 1940 engine. Talking about my great deal at the local store were I'd been buying Triumph parts for yrs. (Routts Cycle) the fella behind the counter spoke up that he restores old bikes and had some Indian's and parts at his backyard shop, after seeing some finished bikes I fell in love with the lines and decided chopping was not the thing to do!
.

 Thus started the long project and mail order acquaintances from Ca.,Pa.and Washington State to find the right part at the right time. The old Indian was finished in 2 yrs. Painted red and kept stock. Due to budget restraints not everything was refurbished many peices were just cleaned patched and painted, many used  original parts reused. This 1st overhaul lasted for many years, but gradually the old parts in the drive line got troublesome. 1st gear got lost, kept riding it with 2nd & 3rd, amazing how strong the V twin is, then 2nd wasn't there and clutch was feeling the wear, still rode it on Sunday drives on country roads were there arn't any stop lights.  Finally had to tear it apart again 20 yrs after the first overhaul, but now restored Indians are more common, still feeling the need to always have a unique ride, spruced the old indian up with nice paint and more chrome. Basicaly stock, Buchanns twisted spokes,12V electrics, electronic ignition and swaped the horn light locations for the cruiser look. Got some 1st place trophies now , and it does draw a crowd were ever we go. My wife and daughters have named the old Indian "Finally Finished".  But not quit, some pictures on a new set of tanks that I'm working on to customize it.