Indian motorcycles are rivaled only by those from Harley-Davidson for the sense of Americana they inspire. The 1946 Indian Chief typified the classic motorcycle presence carried by bikes from this legendary American motorcycle maker. Chain direct-drive, swingarm rear suspension, dozens of color choices, aluminum cylinder heads, and even their slogan, “You can learn to ride it in five minutes,” helped distinguish early Indian motorcycles from their many rivals. Indian motorcycles enjoyed their glory days before World War II, when these big bikes were renowned for their power, styling, and high-speed stability. The Indian Chief models of the immediate postwar years carried on that proud tradition such as the 61 Twin, Prince, Chief, 440, 741, 841, and the Chief.
