CHEAP INDIAN CHIEF? There's no such thing, the old adage "If itīs too good to be true it probably is" should have been a red flag to everyone. I mean, $12,500 including shipping for a bike worth 4 or 5 times that? Give your head a shake!
The guy had this and a red 39 Indian Four for sale on bikerbid. The red one was only $9500 including shipping. The ad said Indonesia but had a map of Juarez, Mexico, another red flag. Out of boredom I contacted him. He gave me one name when I used one computer and another when I used a different computer.
Later he said that Christian was his son. Mind you, he did send me two pieces of photo ID. He said one bike was on one island, the other on another island quite some distance away - hmmm.
Always he wanted the full price by Western Union - another red flag. When I finally said that my embassy had given me a list of all the lawyers in Indonesia and that I would contract one to act as my agent he suddenly told me the bikes were sold. However, I understand that he is still advertising these cheap Indian Chiefs for sale.
On a similar note another seller in Indonesia wanted to sell me his "friendīs" 41FL in a 37 chassis, very nicely done up as a complete army bike. But only $9000? Try 3 times that price and THAT WOULD STILL BE be a cheap Indian Chief.
He was happy to have me come and look at it though so donīt know if he was trying to psych me out or what. He would not use escrow though and when I suggested the lawyer bit he said the bike was sold. In looking over the quality photos he sent I could see that the bike looked to be in some kind of a museum, as there was a WLA on either side, both also in top condition. He had responded to an old ad of mine on Georgeīs offering me four 45s, all in nice conditon and cheap but all the VINs had been restamped ie a "WLA" stamped 42WLJEC - hmmm, restamped for Indonesian registry maybe? Mind you, the bikes all had Indonesian licence plates and there was plenty of evidence in the photos that his and his friendīs bikes were actually in Indonesia. Here in Mexico Iīve found occasional deals on old bikes, so Iīm sure thereīs still lots of sleepers and barn finds out there but use common sense before handing over money for these bogus cheap Indian Chief motorcycle ads.
The old adage "If itīs too good to be true it probably is" should have been a red flag to everyone. I mean, $12,500 including shipping for a bike worth 4 or 5 times that? Give your head a shake! The guy had this and a red 39 Indian Four for sale on bikerbid. The red one was only $9500 including shipping. The ad said Indonesia but had a map of Juarez, Mexico, another red flag. Out of boredom I contacted him. He gave me one name when I used one computer and another when I used a different computer. Later he said that Christian was his son. Mind you, he did send me two pieces of photo ID. He said one bike was on one island, the other on another island quite some distance away - hmmm. Always he wanted the full price by Western Union - another red flag. When I finally said that my embassy had given me a list of all the lawyers in Indonesia and that I would contract one to act as my agent he suddenly told me the bikes were sold. However, I understand that he is still advertising them.... On a similar note another seller in Indonesia wanted to sell me his "friendīs" 41FL in a 37 chassis, very nicely done up as a complete army bike. But only $9000? Try 3X that. He was happy to have me come and look at it though so donīt know if he was trying to phsyc me out or what. He would not use escrow though and when I suggested the lawyer bit he said the bike was sold. In looking over the quality photos he sent I could see that the bike looked to be in some kind of a museum, as there was a WLA on either side, both also in top condition. He had responded to an old ad of mine on Georgeīs offering me four 45s, all in nice conditon and cheap but all the VINs had been restamped ie a "WLA" stamped 42WLJEC - hmmm, restamped for Indonesian registry maybe? Mind you, the bikes all had Indonesian licence plates and there was plenty of evidence in the photos that his and his friendīs bikes were actually in Indonesia. Here in Mexico Iīve found occaisional deals on old bikes, so Iīm sure thereīs still lots of sleepers and barn finds out there but use common sense before handing over money. claytonrestall@hotmail.com
Sep 20, 2009 Rating
Fraudster still at it by: Graham
This fake seller saying that he has the 1939 Indian Motorcycle for sale just won't quit will he? Even after being exposed he still wants people to believe that he has this bike in his possession even after absolute and undeniable proof is put in front of him. He must have a huge set. Any potential victims should ask him to take a photo of himself on this alleged bike with a current newspaper or similar. I bet you never get a reply like me. He's full of excuses and always pushes for the 10% deposit no matter what you say. I even offered to hand him the cash in full in person upon inspection but he still wanted the 10% deposit via electronic transfer first and didn't want me to travel to Makassar. Remember this little man has many names and places of abode in his ads.
This guy is a little master of fraud and untruths. Even when speaking with him on the phone he still insisted the 1939 Indian with the engine number DCI 213 was his and in Makassar, Indonesia. A little trolling through the interenet and I found the real owner who is still in possession of the bike in the US.
This fraudster, using the email address of icostumer@gmail.com, uses the alias of Rindu Sentosa, Christian P and Hendro Satria so far. His habit is to ask for a 10% deposit to be placed directly into his account via electronic transfer and once the funds are deposited he said that he would send a contract of sale.
He does not want you to come and see the bike beforehand. He copied all his photographs of the bike, engine number, frame number and certificate of title from the website http://www.indian-bobbers.com/indian_1939/1939_Indian_Four_4-cylinder_Motorcycle_by_Steve.php.
If it wasn't for locating that website and Steve I could very well have been another victim of this thief.
Aug 10, 2009 Rating
Indian by: Indian Seller
What do you talking about scam??? I'm serious seller and the owner of the bike.
Thanks
Aug 10, 2009 Rating
1939 indian by: Anonymous
This classified ad for a 1939 Indian Chief for sale may be a scam as I have seen the very same motorcycle listed as available on another site with a different owner and different location. Potential buyers (as always) beware.
