NBD - Gibson Les Paul Bass & Cherry Midtown

[stiles72]

Youze gize are killing me here.     But I am not spending more on basses this season..... 

I had put myself on a "Bass Gear Moratorium" so that I could save up for a new bike ('14 Indian Chief Vintage)  - but now that the bike is here, and with the huge discounts on the Gibsons,  I just couldn't say no. Some of these are going for less than what they do used   

[patman]

I don't know anything about motorcycles, but in my mind's eye...that is what a motorcycle should look like.

[uwe]

Not a Harley, but good enough!  

In truth: That engine alone gives me a boner.

Edith has verboten me motorcycles ("Buy as many basses as you want, people don't die in accidents with them."). I am oppressed.  

[TBird1958]

I'm sure lovin' the CHROME on that bike and your new basses Clint.



Just don't think either would look so good in black  

[stiles72]

There should be enough chrome on this thing to satisfy the most ardent chromofiles out there! I personally would have liked to see more black on the bike like the originals, but there is no doubt it sure is flashy.  I've had the Chief out as much as the weather will permit,  and it get's a lot of attention from bikers and non-bikers alike. Lot's of people giving a "thumbs up" or stopping to tell about their father, grandpa, uncle, etc... who had an original Indian from back in the day. It's kind of like driving around in a 57' Chevy, or playing a T-bird on stage. You definitely get noticed.  I think it's going to be fun to see where Polaris takes the new Indian company in the next few years. The motor alone is a work of art - all of the retro styling just icing on the cake.

[Denis]

No chrome on my Indian!

[TBird1958]

Wartime?

[Barklessdog]

No chrome on my Indian!

Wow what a cool bike!

[amptech]

I was drooling for a Scout when I was a kid, think they were all red/black with no chrome.

[uwe]

Indian as a company has been resurrected right? That is not a vintage bike, but a new one?

[Denis]

The new Indian is owned and manufactured by Polaris, who also makes the Victories. They did a great job on the new motor by adding fake cooling fins on the heads so it looks more like it's aircooled even though it's not!
Nice bike, Clint! Much better looking than previous incarnations of new Indians!

Mine is a war bike, an ex-Canadian Army Model 640, built in Springfield, Mass in 1940. Unlike most ex-army Indians, it's the big Scout at 45 cubic inches. Basically, it's a civilian Sport Scout with small fenders and no chrome. As the military guys say, "chrome don't get you home".

[uwe]

"fake cooling fins"

Now I'm truly aghast!!! Form follows function turned upside down.

[Dave W]

"fake cooling fins"

Now I'm truly aghast!!! Form follows function turned upside down.

...

Right. Gibson would never do something like that. For instance, Gibson would never put fake polepieces on a TB Plus to make it look like a mudbucker. 

[uwe]

Dave, you do know that there is a - very vocal - minority in certain forums that clamors for everything to look like it did "back then" and is unsettled by progress in any shape or form?

[uwe]

Right. Gibson would never do something like that. For instance, Gibson would never put fake polepieces on a TB Plus to make it look like a mudbucker. 

Or the Rickenfaker horseshoe mock cover ...