Late 1930’s Indian Motorcycle Replica

kiwireplica1Today, stopped by the V-Twin Expo Kiwi Indian (booth # 9) where Big Chief  Mike Tomas was very proud (as he should be) to show me this new bike that he designed and built replicating the late 1930’s Indian Motorcycle era, but of course using all new Kiwi components that they manufacture in house: rigid frame, forks, handlebars, fenders, tanks, engine/trans, etc. Only wheels and brakes are out sourced. It is powered by Kiwi own proprietary high torque 84″ Flathead engine, making it a replica to ride and ride and ride… Many options including your preferred Indian color. Soon to be featured in his website at Kiwi Indian.

30 Responses to “Late 1930’s Indian Motorcycle Replica”


  1. 1 Believer 45 Feb 9th, 2009 at 9:22 am

    Awsome!!!!!

    Now we are talking!

    Screw the new Indian………this is what it’s all about!!

    Keep up the good work Kiwi Mike.

  2. 2 Charlie Lecach Feb 9th, 2009 at 9:29 am

    That’s what I call a reborn Indian, great work Mike ! Is there also a drumbrake option ?

  3. 3 Biker Bob Feb 9th, 2009 at 2:52 pm

    and for only 60,000.00 dollars you can own one too, but I gotta tell ya, I agree with Charlie and 45, they build a bike I would shell out that kinda jack for.

  4. 4 Biker Bob Feb 9th, 2009 at 2:54 pm

    The bike pictured is $35,000.00 to 40,000.00 hell I like it too.

  5. 5 Cj Hanlon Guilty Customs Feb 9th, 2009 at 5:47 pm

    As i too was at the V-twin show and got to spend time with my friend, one thing that just doesn’t show in any picture is the level of detail and craftsmanship that Mike puts into each and every bike they build. To see them up close and personal is what really convinces you that the purchaser is definitely getting far more than s/he is paying for with these bikes. Great work mike!

  6. 6 Sheridan Feb 9th, 2009 at 6:29 pm

    OMG that is magnificent!!!

  7. 7 Nicker Feb 9th, 2009 at 9:46 pm

    Mike,
    the way you’ve merge the new technnology into that great old style is perfect.
    I love it….!!!!

    -nicker-

  8. 8 harry Feb 9th, 2009 at 9:49 pm

    That is a REALLY NICE bike, Kiwi Indian did a really good job on it. Riddle me this though, if the Indian above built by Mike Tomas & Co. are being sold for $35,000-$40,000, and the (Current) Indian motorcycle company are selling bikes for (roughly) the same price, why is the M/C company selling bikes for the same price when the bikes they’re selling should be $5,000-$10,000 cheaper? If I am going to spend that kind of money on a bike that is called an Indian, I think I’d rather take my chances w/ one of Mr. Tomas’ bikes instead, at least I know what I am getting and know it will last and be well built. Just my observation from the sidelines…

  9. 9 rodent Feb 9th, 2009 at 10:03 pm

    Yes, much better than the pretender to the Indian

  10. 10 Brenda Fox Feb 9th, 2009 at 10:30 pm

    Outstanding Mike,

    Fine example of your labor of passion. Well executed and something to be proud of.
    No surprised to hear the attention to detail is superb, that’s a consistent theme rolling from your garage.

  11. 11 Mike Kiwi Tomas, Kiwi Indian M/C Co Feb 10th, 2009 at 10:08 am

    This is the direct link to the retro 30’s Chief http://www.kiwiindian.com/retro-chief.html
    There is a certain style and characteristic some classic bikes have which I like to recreate (and tastefully update) to reintroduce people to. Classic styling is captured from the front fender all the way to the rear fender and just flows. My favorite styling is the late 30’s era since so much was going on in that era and it seemed like America was really coming into its own that was then repeated again in the 1950’s. It was a beautiful time in styling of many things even beyond the automotive like building architecture.

  12. 12 Jeff Nicklus Feb 10th, 2009 at 12:40 pm

    Mike,

    I could never have imagined that I would be interested in riding any motorcycle, other than one I built of course, until now. This is a beautiful modern rendition of the original Indian! Great job!

    Over & Out,

    Jeff

  13. 13 Boss Hawg Feb 10th, 2009 at 1:57 pm

    Mike,

    Excellent workmanship! Great looks and I am sure fully functional with great reliability,too.

    Keep up the surprises!

    Boss Hawg

  14. 14 J Feb 10th, 2009 at 2:17 pm

    Beautiful work- more Kiwi indian stuff to lust after!

  15. 15 Frank338 Feb 10th, 2009 at 7:17 pm

    THANKS FROM THE SHOP DOGS AT KIWI

  16. 16 Doc Robinson Feb 10th, 2009 at 11:40 pm

    Kiwi Indian rocks!

  17. 17 Vic Feb 11th, 2009 at 10:32 am

    Great job! This is CMC should’ve done in the first place! Very sweet!

  18. 18 John Dean Klock Werks Feb 11th, 2009 at 11:07 am

    Everything my mate YanKiwi produces is of amazing craftsmanship and attention to detail, and you are absolutely right Harry, you will not find a better buy on a completely handmade ride anywhere. Mike has a great team and does fantastic work!

    JD

  19. 19 "Kiwi" Steve Feb 11th, 2009 at 12:09 pm

    Thanks for the great comments, and if anyone wonders why JD called Mike a “YanKiwi” is that Mike Tomas is now a citizen of the U.S. (a yankee-kiwi if you will). On Jan 29th he took the oath in L.A. and now can vote and serve on jury duty!!

  20. 20 Jeff Nicklus Feb 11th, 2009 at 1:10 pm

    “kiwi” Steve,

    ….. and Mike still has a cool accent!…..

    Over & Out,

    Jeff

  21. 21 Brian Klock Feb 12th, 2009 at 10:19 am

    Congrats to the entire team at Kiwi, It is great to hear positive comments all the way down even if some think there is a price point, they love it! That is what the camaraderie of motorcycles is all about. Enjoying the function and design if it is you work or others. Well deserved compliments Mike, Carolyn, Ross and everyone out at Kiwiville! Its truly a tribute to new thoughts with timeless styling that will always tug at the heart strings! More Good NEWS… Keep it coming, the snow is finally melting here.

  22. 22 Rick Feb 12th, 2009 at 3:43 pm

    Boooo- that thing is ugly!! We need to go back to the square billet look of the 90’s and 2000’s. Parts that can be made by the millions and then have no apparent value later! This kind of look is a passing fad- it wasn’t cool in the 30’s and it sure isn’t cool now. I much more prefer an easter egg paint job on a solid block of billet. That is what I consider timeless beauty!

    You guys are a bunch of kiss-butt sissy boys.

    Go buy a real bike- like a chinese 200cc moped at Costco- thats class~!

    Well, if you haven’t figured it out yet- I’m pullin yer legs. You all know Mike and I have been friends for several years and I run his front ends on virtually every bike I build. I love the guy and he has paid his dues more than once- his parts reflect it. And it’s true- he is now an American… I checked. Now go out and buy one from Mike and support your fellow American. Don’t go try to copy him and rip him off on all of his hard efforts. We just had another idiot group out of Florida buy our frame and Mike’s front end, build a bike with it- win a show etc. They are now found in Cinci, representing our frame that they copied tube by tube as theirs and trying to get it into catalogs. I put their bike on my website tried to promote them as a dealer etc, and this is how they repay the favor…. Watch out for your fellow American Mike!

    I think that you will find as you support those who really love the industry and what they do- their products will in turn support your business. If you like the product- buy it- they poured their heart, soul and all of their money into it at great risk. If you want to make money with their product call them up with some business ideas and strategies! I’m sure you will find everyone more than happy to talk about this prospect. In time you will realize that sharing the marketing, expenses, and interests will yield you more in money and good will than your idea of stealing their goods and becoming rich. It’s a small industry and everyone is pretty hip- regardless of what you think.

    I hate to use this as a forum for my ramblings, but both Mike and I have been through incredible expense and trying times fending off cheap garage copy cat guys while trying to keep our products pure and provide the best quality at a very fair price.

    Not to belittle my aforementioned ramblings; but you are all ordered to go call Mike and raz him for becoming Americano, you know he just wants part of that stimulus package!! HA!

  23. 23 Steko Feb 12th, 2009 at 5:25 pm

    Can I order one with a sheepskin seat cover and a horn that goes baaaaaaaaaaaaah???

  24. 24 Bumphus Feb 24th, 2009 at 4:27 am

    First off, when is Kiwi going to bring back the inline 4? Second off, I’d rather have a new Kiwi than just about anything, but why do we hate the new Indian motorcycle from North Carolina? It’s not my cup of tea but I’m rooting for them bigtime. If they do well maybe they’ll build bike more to our liking…

  25. 25 Dan kerlin Apr 22nd, 2009 at 11:15 am

    Hi i am from the clearfield county career and techknology center (ccctc) vocational school in clearfield pennsylvania. We saw that you were giving away a leaf spring front end and we were interested in hearing more from u about that. We built a bike this year that went to the donny smith chopper challenge and took first for the school bikes. we saw a leaf spring front end and were interested in using one for out next years trip.

    If possable email me back at dkerlin@ccctc.org for details

    Thx for your time,

    Dan kerlin

  26. 26 slideways May 7th, 2009 at 1:59 pm

    It is great to see this kind of work and replication of such a great machine in history. Nicely done Mike!

    About the new Indian Motorcycle Company (the real one in Kings Mountain NC), it is great that IMC can build on all this great history, but the brand would only be history if they didn’t build on it. Purist have their spot in the market…but what about the emerging markets, todays technology, safety/emissions standards…and all the other things it takes to produce a competitive motorcycle in todays market? A company needs to keep building new and exciting products to succeed. This is what I am looking forward to with this company. I guess I am paralleling Bumphus’ statement…give the group in NC some time…they are a very talented and very capable team. Sorry for the rant.

  27. 27 alex Jul 4th, 2009 at 10:35 am

    new technology does not make aw correct indian, like adding 2008
    shelby parts to 1964 mustang

  28. 28 dan Dec 23rd, 2009 at 3:19 am

    Mike,
    Thank you for this! I have a ’38 and still think this is the most beautiful design Indian did.

  29. 29 JRS Aug 5th, 2010 at 8:31 pm

    Indian used to build bikes that the average man could afford, why can’t you?

  30. 30 Grayhawk Aug 6th, 2010 at 8:39 am

    Just maybe JRS because cokes are no larger a nickel and you cannot get into a movie theater for a quarter, partly because the dollar is not hardly worth the paper it is printed on in comparison in times compared to say the 60’s half as much the 30’s.

    Because people in business for some part did not have to have lawyers on retainer, bonds, taxed and insuranced burdened out the ass, etc. etc. to todays extent; can you imiagine what a 30’s vehicle would have cost you if all of todays burdens were proportionaly placed on the manufacturors of yesterday? Maybe a whole lot of historical vintage design/development would have been discouraged from even the undertaking?

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Cyril Huze