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| It has
been 12 years since IPE first swung open its doors, and much has
happened since. Many of you who read this will have met me at Indian rallies
or swap meets. But for those who don't know me yet, I am Steen Tonnesen,
universally called Moen. I live in Denmark.
I was educated as a mechanical engineer (but occasionally read books that
are not about tech stuff!). I am 49 years old, and have been a vintage
motorcycle
nut for most of them.
I like other old bikes, but what I love the most is Indians, and the people around them. That is the reason for everything you see on these pages. I am proud and happy to be able to play my small part in carrying on the Indian tradition. Besides IPE, I run the Virtual Indian website and help keep the VI mailing list running. The annual VI Christmas Special issue is one of the best places - on the internet or in print - to read good Indian stories. The mailing list has turned into the most important Indian forum on the internet, and has "everybody" from in the Indian world on it, including hundreds of Indian enthusiasts from all over the globe. It is a great place for keeping in touch with what's happening around Indians, and for getting help with your Indian problems. Not much of this is really down to me, but it is a big part of my life to help keep it going. |
Me and 1934 Sport Scout. Photo by Niels A. |
| IPE is another big part of my life. Right from the start the focus was on mail order supply of new quality parts to Indian riders around the world, but I have also spent (wasted?) a lot of time on projects like the 99% New Reproduction Chief and a few more things like it, sometimes neglecting what I was supposed to be doing (i.e. sending parts out to my customers). I like to think that I have learned something from this, and now I try hard to keep the focus on the parts. |  |
| So,
what IPE mainly does is supplying parts by worldwide mail order.
New quality reproduction parts, including some improvements that weren't
around for the Wigwam
to use (like electronic ignition and modern clutch plates), but I also
have pretty much anything else you are ever likely to need for your Chief,
741 or 101. I try to help develop new parts whenever I can, and IPE
has a lot of parts that are not available anywhere else. You can read about
that on the other pages of this website. If you should have any questions,
don't hesitate to email me. This also goes if you have made some cool parts
that deserve a wider audience; I may be able to help distribute them.
IPE is a small one-man business, but I try to keep the most often needed parts in stock, and the rest I can usually get for you pretty quickly. Some exceptions are special parts that are made to order or in small, occasional batches. On some of these parts there may be a substantiel waiting period, so it is always a good idea to plan ahead and order your parts in good time before you will need them. |
Parts! No, sorry, no new Chief frames - this one was a prototype and it wasn't economically feasible to make them... Unless enough of you want one to warrant putting them into production; email me if you want to be put on a waiting list. |
| IPE
also does quality engine work. Over the years it has been shocking
to see the horrible work some customers have had done on (or to) their
engines elsewhere. In all modesty, I believe IPE can do better, especially
with the assistance of the two ace machinists I am lucky enough to have
helping me. IPE only takes on a few engine projects every year, and many
of these are stroker Scouts, one of the
areas where I have a lot of special parts and some hard-won experience,
but IPE builds Chief engines too, from mild stockers to wild strokers.
Indian engines look super simple, but in fact they are not easy to put together well, and much of the rebuild work is not something you can really do at home on the kitchen table. If you feel confident enough to handle the main part of your own engine rebuild, IPE may be able to help with sub assemblies (like rebuilding connecting rods, flywheels, cylinders, repair work like welding etc). Email me if you need anything along these lines, or for advice before starting an engine rebuild. Or even before buying your first Indian; actually, just email me if there is anything Indian related you have a question about. It is better to ask one time too many than one too few. |
Fresh Chief engine with Dell'Orto carb and non-standard timing hole (with matching new flywheel timing mark), so you can actually see where you are when adjusting the ignition. Yes, the front engine mounts are the wrong way around for a Chief frame, but this engine is going into a Chout. The air cleaner adapter on the carb is still raw, waiting to be cut down to match a small custom air cleaner and have the air entry rounded off. |
| IPE
does not do complete restorations, chassis work, paint jobs or anything
like that. There are other people out there who are much better at this.
However, if you get stuck with your Indian project, for one reason or another,
feel free to email me at info@indianpartseurope.com
and I will do what I can to help.
Moen |
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