History of the Indian Dirt Bike
Floyd Clymer 1968-1970
Motorcycle man extrordinaire, Mr. Clymer, dreamed of a reborn Scout and Chief line of the big
Indians. What he succeeded most in was the mini models. Imported to keep the Indian name alive
and to introduce a younger set to the motorcycling world. Clymer passed away in 1970, leaving his
dreams unfulfilled, but successfully bringing the minis to America.
Alan Newman 1971-1976
Floyd Clymer’s Los Angeles attorney, Alan Newman, acquired rights to the Indian name and
continued importing minicycles made by Italjet. Mr. Newman was a pragmatist and saw the market
for mini-bikes, and having acquired the Indian name and logos he contracted with a manufacturer in
Taiwan to make Indian mini-bikes from 1971 through 1976. Indian had their own factory in Taipei.
Thinking big, Newman planned his own cycle plant, larger 125/175cc models and possible 400cc
units came in 1973-74. His assembly plant wound up in Taipei, Taiwan and 70, 75, 80, 100, 125,
175cc engines were imported. Japan (Fuji) engines supplied the 100cc engines. Morini 100's were
used during the Clymer years. 70, 75, 80, 125, 175s were courtesy of Minarelli in Italy. Italjet
models (MM5A, M5A, JC5A) used Italian Morini powerplants. Nothing larger than 175s were made
except for one 1000cc prototype Indian that based heavily on a Ducati. It was merely for show.
Indians' fortunes were dwindling by 1975. 1976 was the last year of restyling for the 100-175
models. Sales kept dropping and Newman bowed out. The word came out in January 1977: The
Indian Motorcycle Company was done.

"#1 Source for the Indian Dirt Bike"
Contact us at:
blackwidow340@yahoo.com
All rights reserved. indiandirtbikeparts.com (C) 2019 Designed by Garrett & Luke
|
The Indian Story The 16 Questions Most Frequently Asked
|
Indian Factory in Taipei, Taiwan
Indian Corporate Offices in Gardena, California
Store is open! ***Click on the Store tab on the left to enter.***
FREE SHIPPING on orders $200 and up.
We are now on Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest. Click on
the logos to "like" and "follow" our pages.
NEW!!! NEW!!! NEW!!! NEW!!! NEW!!! NEW!!!
Check out the parts lists and manuals. Save, print or view them all.
Click on the Parts Lists and Manuals tab on the left.
|