Thursday was a beautiful day here, and I know there aren't many of those left this year, so I thought I'd blow the dust off my Indian. All my tools and materials are already at the job site, so I could travel light. It's been a while since I to took Lucille for a ride, so I had her on the charger. I attempted to start her up, but I forgot the choke for the first few attempts, and by the time I remembered it was too late. I put her back on the charger, and decided to try again tomorrow. Then I glanced down at the floor and saw a puddle of oil forming. Oh crap! This is how she treats me when I don't take her out. Lucille hates to just sit. I haven't had any work done since I moved here from California, so I have not located a mechanic yet. This can be difficult, as they don't make Indians anymore, so there are no dealerships.
Indian was the first American motorcycle manufactured in 1901 in Springfield, MA They built bikes for the war, they built bikes for the police, and in 1953 shut down. In 1998, they reappeared, now built in Gilroy California until 2003 when they shut back down. Mine is a 2000.
I decided to stop at the nearby Harley Davidson shop to see if anyone in their service dept. was familiar with Indian. I waited quite a while at the service desk when finally one of the mechanics arrived, and asked if he could help me.
"I hope so, I'm wondering if anyone here knows their way around an Indian." I said almost pleadingly.
"Is it a REAL Indian, or a California Indian?" He snorted.
I was taken aback slightly, and all I could think was, what are the chances that I would come to a Harley dealership to have a 1953 or older collector's item worked on? So after a pause, I said, "You're kind of a jerk aren't you? I come in here asking for help, and you insult me. That must be good for business."
Now he was taken slightly aback, probably because he didn't expect a woman to stand up for herself. "I'll go ask" he said. Which left me wondering, was he going to ask if he's a jerk, or whether anyone can fix my bike? When he disappeared another woman who was in service waiting area, approached me and told me she knew a guy who works on Indians. She wrote down his name and number for me, and I thanked her very much, and left.
As a business owner, I am always appalled at this kind of treatment, and it leaves me with a very negative feeling for the whole shop, and a little tainted toward Harley Davidson, all because of one rude, disrespectful dolt!
16 comments:
I LOVE Lucille!!!!!! I'm very excited because was having a conversation with Bearman and sons only a few hours ago when we passed many of the new done-ups around where I live. We talked about the old days and how there was only one Harley shop in Sydney and back then you restored old bikes. They even gave you a bike to use until one in casulty was back on the road! Now there are so many bikes around with alterations and extensions, that I can't even recognise most of them! The old days *sigh*. Mum is getting a bike tour for her 75th birthday :) I LOVE Lucille!!!!
Just have to add that I wish my saddle bags were as good looking too! HAHAHAAAA
oooh, how cool to have this indian. but rm, i don't get it: the service guy didn't seem so rude from what you reported he said. maybe it was his attitude? or did he snicker?
sometimes i get in someone's face in situations like this. other times i step out of the way asap and let that negative energy look for someone else....
Anon, Thanks for your compliments on Lucille. She is very vain and loves people to make a fuss over her. Her saddle bags are an asset, and I'm sure yours are as well. :)
kj, I thought about that after I wrote it, somehow I couldn't get the snear in there, and the fact that he was basically saying my bike is less than, a forgery, a knock off. It's not! I am $22,000. into this bike, my dream bike, and I don't appreciate his insinuation.
I was angry, but responded in very calm matter of fact way. I was actually pretty proud of myself.
That guy was rude. I think it is because you are a woman with a beautiful bike. She is gorgeous and I love her saddle bags. I LOVE motorcycle boots. I almost bought a pair when I was in South Dakota, the week before the Sturgis Rally. Men and women and their bikes. Hmn, that is serious business. I can only handle an Italian mini scooter.
I enlarged the photo. Dang! That is one sexy bike.
Ces, Thank you. I think of Lucille as art you can ride. I do believe she is the most gorgeous motorcycle alive.
Hmn, do you let your friends ride with you?
Of course, I'd be happy to take you for a ride!
i enlarged the photo also. i didn't know i loved saddle bags until i saw these. oooooooh.
"you took a long time to leave me, lucille. four hungry children and a crop in the field"
oh, wrong tune. zoooooommmmmmm.
:)
kj, Funny, but that's the right song. That is how Lucille got her name. When I first bought her she had a lot of problems, and left me stranded on the side of the road several times, I sang the song, and Lucille was born!
i am a psychic, rm. did you know?
:)
You OWN an Indian? How cool. My buddy up the street has a fairly new one... yeah, California Indian I'm afraid - whatever that is!? But it is a beauty and sounds fabulous. Me? I'm a Harley Gal, but she (my Sporty) doesn't have a name. She does well for her age (1996).
tsduff, Thanks, I think she's pretty special too. You really do need to give your bike a name. :)
Miss my friend ~ it would be wonderful if you and I could go for a long ride some day together. Now that would be fun ; )
Thinking about cha!
V
V, I miss you too, I would love to take a really long ride with you. Then we could hop on our bikes and go somewhere!
xo
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