Author Topic: Buying Indian  (Read 7787 times)

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Offline Marc.com

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Buying Indian
« on: April 05, 2015, 07:10:11 am »
Been buying a bunch of stuff for the Triton out of India lately, its all been delivered promptly and the quality is no better or worse than the OEM stuff we were saddled with the first time round./ Pity they never build bigger range of models, but ther are a couple of companies that do alloy tanks for pretty much anything you ask for, couple of friends have bought Ducati tanks out of there.
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Offline GD66

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Re: Buying Indian
« Reply #1 on: April 05, 2015, 10:35:19 am »
Hi Marc, the poms have been buying these for their bikes and have found the welding to be at least as good as the original, but some of the tanks have been assymetrical so the top yoke hits the front of the tank on one side on full lock. Also the fuel fillers sometimes need adjustment with a file to make the cap fit, the tank badge holes can be out of (horizontal) line or too far apart, and the small threaded holes for the badges need tapping out as they are full of paint. Nevertheless they are well priced, well painted, and quickly delivered, and any complaints have been dealt with efficiently, sometimes resulting in a partial refund. Probably worth a go, especially on a pommy bike where anything you buy is just a starting point towards making it fit.  8)
Nostalgia's not what it used to be....

Offline LWC82PE

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Re: Buying Indian
« Reply #2 on: April 05, 2015, 01:52:58 pm »
Their stuff is getting better although the paintwork on metal/tinware parts is still pretty crap (looks like they are painted then chuck a handful of sand on the wet item but its easy enough to re-do i guess). Their single replica 'Lycett' saddles for vintage english bikes (often re-branded as Wassell and sold in England) are pretty decent for what you pay and are good value even if you just need the springs or the cover. I had to get a chain guard for a 1930's Tiger 70 and India was the only place that makes them. The part was good.
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Offline Marc.com

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Re: Buying Indian
« Reply #3 on: April 07, 2015, 05:05:45 pm »
Yeah I just got some shock bushes and they were nice and dirt cheap, I have also used electronic ignition on BSA B44 and it worked just fine for $90 so somewhat cheaper than Interspan.
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Offline bazza

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Re: Buying Indian
« Reply #4 on: April 08, 2015, 06:39:52 pm »
Mark good you tube showing indian with brush painting royal enfield tank to high (brush) standard
Once you go black  you will never go back - allblacks
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Offline GD66

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Re: Buying Indian
« Reply #5 on: April 08, 2015, 06:48:41 pm »
Bloody hell, that's terrifying !   8)

Waiting for a cough, a hiccup or a fart...
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Offline flower pot racing

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Re: Buying Indian
« Reply #6 on: April 13, 2015, 09:43:57 pm »
Hi Marc, the poms have been buying these for their bikes and have found the welding to be at least as good as the original, but some of the tanks have been assymetrical so the top yoke hits the front of the tank on one side on full lock. Also the fuel fillers sometimes need adjustment with a file to make the cap fit, the tank badge holes can be out of (horizontal) line or too far apart, and the small threaded holes for the badges need tapping out as they are full of paint. Nevertheless they are well priced, well painted, and quickly delivered, and any complaints have been dealt with efficiently, sometimes resulting in a partial refund. Probably worth a go, especially on a pommy bike where anything you buy is just a starting point towards making it fit.  8)

so crap welding, poor fit, badges that are in the wrong place (didnt mention the filler caps that you cant use, mine didnt fit!) and partial refund.  Eh?  That's good?!  Surely the tank needs to fit, have quality welds, not hit anything etc etc is the bare minimum.  Not sure how  a partial refund makes up for a tank that cant be used?!  Ok some of it isnt bad.  Yes that video of that man painting the tank shows a highly skill craftsman.  if you accept that you will have to make it fit when you get it and they are your expectaions then so be it.

My main grip is that they have no back bone and dont understand the meaning of integrity.  I asked them to make a tank exclusively to my design.  It was all agreed and paid for.  Then delays, problems, excuses.  You name it.  Before I even got it they had advertised my tank on ebay!  And for less money than they charged me!!!!! Nice.  The arrangement was that they would make it to my design and only for me.  Ha.  Guess that was lost in translation.  When it came quality was poor, badges didnt fit, tapped hole for fuel tap was damaged and the filler cap didnt fit.  Paypal complaint and a full refund got their attention VERY quality.  My gripe was that when I placed the order it took so long to happen that if I hadn't complained I could end up with no tank and no protection.  They soon got it sent.

To be honest the warning signs were there from the start.  Vintage Indian Motorcycle and Vintage Harley parts being made for a exclusively for a chap in Holland, but if I wanted some then of course no problem.  How many sir? 

I asked if they had any problems with parts every getting lost in the post.  A coupe of times was the answer. The man told me of original Brough Superior tanks and guards being 'lost' in the post!  (really ~ that is a shame)

...........

I am not racist, far from it, but when my Indian school mate warned me to not do it, I ignored him (and paid the price)  He said go careful for a few extra rupees he will chuck in his Granny.  And that isnt me saying that that was an Indian friend who is very proud to be Indian.

They have no comprehension of quality control.  Tread tread carefully. 

Never the less as an emerging super power we will no doubt be seeing alot more from India. 

C- so far and much improvement needed.

Offline pokey

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Re: Buying Indian
« Reply #7 on: April 13, 2015, 10:16:54 pm »
To echo the sentiments of above the quality is just not there, looks the goods but  a very poor copy.

Everyone knows you cant kill a CT110 no matter how hard you try. the New replacement is the NB110. fuel injected electric start amongst other changes and they are made in India.
for the first 1000 Ks they go great but then the power drops to the same as the CT110 and a few more 100 they start rattling as the oil pump loses pressure.The finish on the engine also fades.
this is Honda , a company that built its reputation on reliability.Bit of a shame really.

it will be a while before my hard earned supports an indian  manufacturer.

Offline LWC82PE

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Re: Buying Indian
« Reply #8 on: April 13, 2015, 10:53:46 pm »
So many problems with them (NBC110) too. Almost every week i get a Honda/AP service bulletin come through about bits falling off or breaking.
Wanted - 1978 TS185 frame or frame&motor. Frame # TS1852-24007 up to TS1852-39022