2001 Indian SPIRIT: complaints, problems and recalls

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 W…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10037450 at NHTSA ↗

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.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10040523 at NHTSA ↗

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 …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 760180 at NHTSA ↗

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

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8000676 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2002-07-02 (July 2, 2002)

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE PINCH BOLTS THAT CLAMP THE FRONT FORKS TO THE AXLE MAY BE 1/4" BOLTS OR 5/16" BOLTS MADE OF STAINLESS STEEL. IN BOTH CASES, THESE BOLTS MAY NOT BE OF SUFFICIENT STRENGTH OVER TIME TO CLAMP THE FRONT FORK TO THE AXLE TIGHTLY ENOUGH TO PREVENT AXLE ROTATION.

Consequence: IF THE AXLE IS ALLOWED TO ROTATE, THE AXLE COULD COME OUT OF THE RIGHT FRONT FORK, COLLAPSING THE FRONT END, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT FORKS TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE PINCH BOLTS ARE 1/4" OR 5/16" BOLTS MADE OF STAINLESS STEEL. IF THE FORKS ARE CLAMPED WITH 1/4" BOLTS, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE FORKS WITH FORKS DESIGNED WITH 5/16" BOLTS. IF THE FORKS ARE CLAMPED WITH 5/16" STAINLESS STEEL PINCH BOLTS, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE BOLTS WITH 5/16" BOLTS MADE OF ZINC PLATED STEEL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 9, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT INDIAN AT 1-408-846-7228.

Reported: 2002-11-15 (November 15, 2002)

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE FASTENERS THAT BOLT THE WINDSHIELD TO THE MOUNTING CLAMPS CAN BREAK, CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD TO COME PARTIALLY OR COMPLETELY OFF THE BIKE.

Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE IS IN USE, THE RIDER COULD BE INJURED BY THE WINDSHIELD.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 16, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE AT 1-888-899-2997.

Reported: 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH COMPUFIRE BRAND SERIES TYPE VOLTAGE REGULATORS, IF DAMAGED, THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR CAN BECOME STUCK IN AN OPEN MODE THAT ALLOWS BATTERY VOLTAGE TO FLOW BACK THROUGH THE REGULATOR.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE REGULATOR TO CATCH ON FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MOTORCYCLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE REGULATOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 14, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE AT 1-888-899-2997.

Reported: 2003-08-04 (August 4, 2003)

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE WELD ATTACHING THE FENDER MOUNT TO THE FRONT FORK MAY CRACK AND BREAK.

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE FENDER MOUNT TO FAIL RESULTING IN THE FENDER COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE WHEEL, RESULTING IN THE RIDER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL BOLT A BRACKET ONTO EACH FRONT FORK. THIS BRACKET WILL HOLD THE FENDER MOUNT IN PLACE EVEN IF THE WELD FAILS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT INDIAN AT 1-888-899-2997.