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It was 1978 when Mike “Kiwi” Tomas, owner of Kiwi Indian Motorcycle Company in Riverside, California, found his first Indian 741 rotting away into a desparaging state of decrepitude in a forgotten barn in his native New Zealand. Or, so goes another version of the story, Mike was apprenticed as an engine rebuilder in his native New Zealand when he spied some old geezer tooling down the road on a World War II motorcycle. He chased him down and asked to buy the bike, which he did, for more than it was worth. Choose whichever version you prefer because as we all know if it’s in print it’s got to be true and the guy was inducted into the Sturgis Museum Hall of Fame for crying out loud. Either way, it was destined to be, because since that first Indian Mike has worked steadily over the years restoring, recreating parts, and just plain keeping the Indian dream realized despite its various incarnations. He’s considered by many to be the brand’s most fervent supporter and his awards are to numerous to list here, but you’ll have the chance to check those out when you visit his website.

His 2010 Kiwi Indian Factory Board Tracker shown here got its start with a Kiwi Indian Single Loop Rigid frame raked to 27-degrees. Mike and Travis Bond chose to power the Board Tracker with an 84″ Kiwi Indian Flathead engine. With a Kiwi Long Life tranny, 21″ Avons front and rear, clip on/adjustable period handlebars, internal controls, foot clutch, hand shift, and oil tank built into rear fender it should come as no surprise that Mike walked away with an impressive third place trophy in the “Production Manufacturer Class” of the Sturgis World Championship Of Custom Bike Building.

Mike, being the cool and talented guy he is, has an impressive catalog of parts, engines, and of course bikes for sale, as well as full service rebuilding options. Whether you’re an Indian fan or not, do check him out at www.kiwiindian.com.