Introduction

My first vehicle ever was a 1980 AMI Chief.  Let it be known all of the restoration work I do on my bike is for sentimental value only. There are better mopeds available more worthy of restoration that drive faster, smoother, quieter, louder, with easier to find parts and longer lasting components. This I know. I purchased my bike for $125 in Jamestown, North Dakota with no title or other paperwork in 2002. Since then I've done some minor work on the moped like replacing tail light lenses and brake shoes. I've kept it in running condition with minimal alterations. The condition I purchased my bike in didn't help things, but as many Indian owners quickly learn parts aren't easy to come by. Sometimes you'll come across a "barn find" quality moped at an estate sale--but my experience has been they're either really nice or really trashed. There are a lot of known problems with the Indian--engine side covers breaking off, air filter components breaking off, seat vinyl cracking and foam being consequentially damaged, batteries not surviving over time, speedometer cables rusting and breaking, brake cables breaking, the list goes on. As I stated earlier, Indian mopeds are no longer in production. The engines were made in Taiwan, they're a clone of another moped that's equally as hard to get a hold of and parts can be quite scarce. It's certainly not impossible to find them though. I hope this blog can facilitate other owners getting together and sharing resources. Ebay is hit or miss.