Indian Motorcycle Chief Service Manual (2009-12)

The 2009 Indian Chief marked the production return of Indian motorcycles under the Kings Mountain, North Carolina operation established by Stellican after acquiring the Indian Motorcycle assets. Indian's own history describes the Kings Mountain period as the revival that followed the collapse of the Gilroy company in 2003.

For 2009, Indian offered the Chief in Standard, Deluxe, Roadmaster and Vintage forms. All used a heavily revised version of the PowerPlus engine originally developed during the Gilroy era. Capacity increased to 105 cubic inches, or 1,720 cc, with electronic closed-loop sequential-port fuel injection and a redesigned charging system. Contemporary reporting emphasized that Indian had reworked virtually every major part of the motorcycle rather than simply restarting production of the earlier design.

The Chief lineup expanded with more distinctive versions. The Dark Horse used blacked-out trim and matte-finish styling, while the limited-edition Bomber adopted military-inspired paint, leather and nose-art graphics. Both retained the same fuel-injected 105 cu in PowerPlus engine.

Across the Kings Mountain range, the Chief retained classic Indian styling such as deeply valanced fenders, large 16-inch wheels and a long 68.4-inch wheelbase, while combining these features with modern fuel injection, six-speed transmission, hydraulic clutch and Brembo braking hardware.

Polaris Industries acquired Indian Motorcycle in 2011, bringing the Kings Mountain era under new ownership. Indian's official history identifies the acquisition as the end of the brand's extended period of unstable ownership.

The 2012 model year became the final year of the Kings Mountain Chief platform. Polaris stated in its annual report that these motorcycles would be replaced by an entirely new generation of Indian motorcycles engineered and manufactured by Polaris. The new Thunder Stroke-powered platform followed for the 2014 model year.