2001 Indian Spirit Problems

CONSUMER RECEIVED ON 20,23003 A RECALL NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURER NHTSA# 03-V-286-000: THE WELD ATTACHING THE FENDER MOUNT TO THE FRONT FORK MAY CRACK AND BREAK. CALL THE DEALER TO ARRANGED AN APPOINTMENT GUEST WHAT DEALER STATED MANUFACTURER IS OUT OF BUSINESS AND YOU MUST PAID FOR THE RECALL.

HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, AND THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH BATTERY. DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED BATTERY, AND PROBLEM CONTINUED. *AK

I CURRENTLY (PURCHASED 9/2001) OWN A 2001 INDIAN SPIRIT MOTORCYCLE PURCHASED FROM THOMAS AUTOMALL IN COON RAPIDS, MN. THE ENGINE LEAKS OIL THROUGH THE OIL BREATHER/CARBUERATOR BLOW BY QUITE PROFUSELY. I HAVE HAD THE BIKE IN AT LEAST 5 TIMES (I DO HAVE DOCUMENTATION) FOR THIS PROBLEM. HE DEALERS (1 IN MINNEAPOLIS AND 3 IN PHOENIX) HAVE ALL STATED THAT THE ENGINE AND IT'S DESIGN (FOR PERFORMANCE) WILL CAUSE AN OIL LEAK. I HAVE RECENTLY SENT AN EMAIL TO THE ENGINE BUILDER (S&S MOTORS IN VIOLA, WI) NOTIFYING THEM OF THE PROBLEM. MY EMAIL WAS FORWARDED TO INDIAN MOTORCYCLE COMPANY IN WHICH THEY HAVE REPLIED THAT THEY REALIZE THE PROBLEM BUT DUE TO EPA STANDARDS (THEIR WRITTEN QUOTE FROM THE VP OF SERVICE WAS "WE ARE RUNNING A FINE LEGAL LINE" HERE) AND PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS AN OIL LEAK CAN BE EXPECTED. (I DO HAVE COPIES OF THE EMAIL AND REPLY FYI). HERE'S WHERE I NEED YOUR ATTENTION (AND THAT OF OTHER OWNER/RIDERS) IS NOT ONLY IS THE OIL LEAK AN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE IT IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. THE OIL COMES OUT OF THE BREATHER/BLOW BY SYSTEM ONTO THE LOWER PORTION OF THE ENGINE/FRAME, EXHAUST SYSTEM, REAR BRAKE AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THE REAR TIRE. I HAVE ALMOST DUMPED THE BIKE SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO GREASY REAR TIRE AND THE REAR BRAKE PERFORMS POORLY. INDIAN MOTORCYCLE COMPANY AND IT'S DEALERS CANNOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM AS STATED. I AM LOOKING TO YOU FOR ASSISTANCE IN MAKING THESE PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE. APPRECIATE YOUR PROMPT REPLY AND ATTENTION. SINCERELY, JERRY ANDERSON. *AK

THE VEHICLE WEAVES OUT OF CONTROL AT VARIABLE SPEEDS, THE 2002 MODELS ALL HAVE HAD REAR SWING ARM REDESIGNED AND STRENGHTENED BUT THESE WILL NOT FIT EARLIER MODELS. I BELIEVE THIS WEAVING IS CAUSED BY THE SWING ARM FLEXING. THIS WILL CAUSE CRASHES IN THE RIGHT SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES. I ALSO BELIEVE THE MANUFATURER KNOWS THIS AND THAT IS WHY THEY HAVE CHANGED THE DESIGN, BUT HAVE NOT CORRECTED THIS IN THE EARLIER MODELS. THIS WEAKER SWING ARM DESIGN WAS USED ON 1999 TO 2001 SPIRITS, SCOUT, AND CHIEF MODELS. IT HAPPENED TO ME SEVERAL TIMES ON FLAT DRY ROAD SURFACES WITH NO OTHER VEHICLES INFRONT TO CAUSE WIND DISTURBANCE, AND STRAIGHT AWAY ROADS. FLEXING BECOMES WORSE ON TURNS. THE CHANGE OF DESIGN SHOWS A KNOWLEGE ON THE PART OF THE MANUFACTURER, AS WELL AS THERE 2002 MODEL BROCHURES STATING THE RENFORCEMENT OF THE NEW SWING ARM, THAT THIS PROBLEM IS KNOW BUT IGNORED.