Rebuilding the Indian: A Memoir

by Fred Haefele (Afterword), Fred Haefele (Author)

• New

  Illustrated
  2005

  $19.33

  The building of a vintage Indian Chief motorcycle is more than the restoration of a bike-it's the resurrection of a dream. Rebuilding the Indian chronicles one man's journey through the fearful expanse of midlife in a quest for peace, parts, and a happy second fatherhood. Fred Haefele was a writer who couldn't get his book published, an arborist whose precarious livelihood might just kill him, and an expectant father for the first time in over twenty years. He was in a rut, until he purchased a box of parts not so euphemistically referred to as a basket case and tackled the restoration of an Indian Chief motorcycle. With limited mechanical skills, one foot in the money pit, and a colorful cast of local experts, Haefele takes us down the rocky road of restoration to the headlong, heart-thrilling rush of open highway on his gleaming midnight-blue Millennium Flyer.

• Used

  Paperback
  1999

  $4.64

  At the age of 51, tree surgeon Fred Haefele was in the mood to do something foolish. So he decided to rebuild a Harley-Davidson Indian. These rare motorcycles have achieved cult status in the biking community; they are also known to be time, money, and energy consuming, requiring an almost religious dedication to their restoration. There are rules as well - but rules are there to be broken. Which is how Fred Haefel found himself in a race against the clock as he dreamt of taking his rebuilt, restored Indian Chief to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. This is the ex-professor's account of how he rebuilt the bike, and learned things about himself in the process.