What happens when a brand with a century of heritage changes hands? In this episode of ShopTalk, we sit down with Music City Indian’s Kameron Amstutz to talk about the future of Indian Motorcycle, the real story behind the Polaris sale, and why competition makes every American V-twin better. We also hit the latest industry news, a wild FXR build from Speed Dealer Customs, and some upcoming events you should not miss.
Show energy, live chat, and shop-floor vibes
The show kicked off live with Chris, Heather, and Mark stoked that the tech finally behaved and the channels were all talking to each other. The crew shouted out regulars and first-timers chiming in from all over, reminding everyone this is a 90 to 120 minute Sunday ritual for two-wheeled diehards.
- Tom Banks, Pittsburgh, PA
- Rodgar, Fort Madison, IA
- Paul Adams, Ford City
- The usual suspects, with Radar stirring the pot as always
Pre-show chatter included a trip to Ashtabula, Ohio for feature bike shoots, jokes about inviting themselves to Tom Banks’ place, and reminders to set alerts and share the stream with your riding circle. The vibe, as always, was rowdy and welcoming.
News roundup: what’s moving in motorcycles
Smokeout Rally Garage Buildoff 26 applications are live
The third annual Garage Buildoff is on, and it keeps the spirit of old-school amateur chops alive. It is a platform for garage builders, not shops, to show what they can do on a real budget.
Key rules and notes:
- Fill out the entire application or it will not submit, including photos and social media.
- Solo builds only, no teams.
- Budget cap is $10,000.
- 12 builders will be selected, with notifications planned by year’s end.
The Buildoff has already helped put new builders on the map, including a past winner who is now invited to build at Mama Tried. Get the details and apply on the Cycle Source website. Bold move if you’re ready to build.
Love Ride returns with Harley-Davidson backing
Love Ride 34 is back on November 9, 2025, powered by Harley-Davidson and raising funds for Wounded Warrior Project. Expect star power with Jay Leno, Robert Patrick, and Gene Simmons involved. Tickets went on sale September 9, 2025. It overlaps with Galveston plans for some of the crew, but the return of this iconic event is a win.
“Harley-Davidson, thank you so much for bringing back this iconic event.”
Buell Super Cruiser enters production
Buell announced the Super Cruiser is entering production, following a debut at Barber Vintage Festival. Deposits have been taken since 2023, and deliveries are expected within 4 to 6 months. The hype was real early on, then cooled with delays, but momentum is building again.
- Everyone loved seeing it at events
- Waiting wore people out
- It still looks worth throwing a leg over
Triumph’s blacked-out Bonnevilles for 2026
Triumph is rolling out nearly 30 fresh models for 2026, including updated Bonneville T100, T120, and T120 Black variants with classic blacked-out style. Paul Stroud, Chief Commercial Officer, said it best: “It’s the ability to evolve while staying true to its soul.” The changes focus on styling, rider-focused tech, and better overall feel without losing what makes a Bonnie cool.
Personal news from the community
Will Casio proposed on stage at Smokeout. The wedding date is set for Halloween 2026. Strong couple, strong story, and the community cheered them on.
The future of Indian Motorcycles with Kameron Amstutz
Who Kameron is and why his take matters
Kameron runs Music City Indian in Nashville and bleeds for the brand. He also grew up around Harleys. His family was involved in the AMF era, his uncle ran a dealership, and he has owned and ridden a wide mix of machines.
Early bike memories:
- Arctic Cat SSS Cat mini with mini-apes and zero brakes
- Honda MR50 with a 3-speed
- YSR50 to junior high in Arizona, earning the nickname “motorcycle man”
He learned by breaking and fixing. Snowmobiles, dirt bikes, tuning carbs, and long hours in the garage turned into a full-time life on two wheels. He celebrates Indian with style and humor, from a Gilroy Evo-based build to a graffiti-covered Chief that became one of the most photographed Indians around.
From rentals to running Music City Indian
Kameron’s path started at 22 or 23 when he took over EagleRider Phoenix. He later helped run and buy rental franchises in Phoenix and San Diego, then sold them in 2012 and joined corporate as a global acquisitions guy. At one point, he managed the buy-sell flow for 4,000 to 5,000 units from a laptop.
The big pivot came in 2013. Harley pulled back on selling new units to the rental fleet. Indian, freshly back under Polaris, stepped in. EagleRider bought 400 Indians. The bikes were reliable, easy to maintain, and European touring riders loved the American V-twin iconography, whether it was Harley or Indian.
In 2014, Kameron met Ricky Kelly at a Harley dealer meeting. They launched Music City Indian in Nashville, plus stores in Marietta, GA and Panama City Beach, FL. Today Kameron is the sole owner of the Nashville location. The model lineup grew from 9 variations in 2014 to around 277 today. Polaris brought the brand back with the Thunderstroke, the classic fenders, and consistency across the line.
Polaris selling Indian: get the facts straight
Polaris announced a deal to sell a majority stake in Indian Motorcycle to Carolwood LP, a Los Angeles private equity firm founded in 2014. Here is what matters.
- This is not Victory. Victory was shut down because it did not pencil after years of losses. Indian is being sold, not closed.
- Indian contributed about $478 million, or 7 percent of Polaris’s revenue for the trailing 12 months ending June 30, 2025. That is half a billion dollars. It is a serious, profitable business.
- Carolwood is bringing in leadership with real motorcycle chops. Mike Kennedy’s background across Harley and Vance & Hines gives confidence to the direction.
Why that is good for riders:
- Polaris is a massive company with ATVs, side by sides, snowmobiles, and boats. Indian can get more focused attention as a standalone brand while keeping the muscle it already built.
- Carolwood acquires roughly 900 employees along with the brand. That is not a chop and flip move. It is a growth play.
Kameron’s take is simple. Polaris did a great job resurrecting Indian and pushing it to this point. A sale like this can put Indian in a position to go further, faster.
Competition makes both brands better
The Harley versus Indian debate popped up in the live chat. The crew and Kameron agreed. Both brands are over 100 years old. Both are American V-twins. Both are cultural anchors.
- Sportster vs. Scout is good for riders
- Bagger racing raised the bar across the board
- Monopolies breed complacency, competition pushes innovation
Even the hard-core Harley guys who test ride Indians usually walk away impressed. Kameron sees it daily. The hangup is wardrobe and tattoos, not the ride.
Why standalone Indian dealers matter
Music City Indian is a standalone shop. That means Indian-certified techs wrench on Indian bikes. You get specialists, not a generalist bouncing from an ATV to your Roadmaster. As Indian grows, expect more dedicated locations. That means better service and stronger communities around each store.
Timing, products, and the road ahead
The last two years of Indian product have been excellent. Bikes like the Sport Chief show the brand’s stride. COVID brought an unreal wave, emptied showrooms, and then reality returned. That is the cycle. Good operators adapt and keep the wrenches turning.
Kameron’s outlook is positive. With the right leadership and focus, Indian can build on everything Polaris delivered and push deeper into culture, racing, and rider-first product.
A few laughs and a lot of heart
The show had plenty of stories. Early magazine days with disposable cameras and borrowed gear. Kameron’s first custom, a 1996 Softail Evo that wore a homebuilt homage to an Arlen Ness rear fender. His wife Chloe, the real boss, who said to stop overthinking and “dip your balls” when it came time to buy the dealership outright. They are coming up on 20 years, and yes, she wants a tour pack.
And the infamous “Shit Chief,” a crashed bike left at the shop that turned into a full-send, graffiti-covered head-turner after some paint from Nashville artist Troy Duff. Easy to spot, easier to photograph, and loved wherever it goes.
Featured builds and products
Frank Nyikens’ 1986 FXR, Speed Dealer Customs
Built in Joplin, Missouri, this FXR is proof that you can still do it with manual machines. Frank used a Bridgeport and engine lathe for most of it, keeping CNC to a minimum. The bike weighs about 525 pounds with half a tank and runs an S&S 124 making around 140 horsepower.
Highlights:
- Handformed aluminum tank, tunneled for FXR backbone
- KTM 1290 front end with custom triple trees and trail set at 4 and 3/16
- Two-point engine mounting with plastic bushings for less shake
- Mountain bike shock integrated into the top motor mount, with a lever to go solid
- Carbon fiber bodywork with a stainless fender brace for passengers
- OCD-level countersunk stainless flatheads with bolt patterns because details matter
Message received. You do not need a $100,000 machine shop to build a killer bike.
Collaborative Concepts, Inc.
Shelton introduced simple, shop-born tools that fix daily problems.
- Axle Fit: 3D-printed axle spacers with sizes labeled so you can grab, try, and move forward without guesswork
- Magnetic Milwaukee battery holder: 280-pound magnets to keep batteries close and ready
Got an idea to make shop life easier? Pitch it at Collaborative Concepts, Inc..
Events you should have on your calendar
- Rosco’s Chili Challenge, Lakeland, FL, next weekend. If you know, you know.
- Lone Star Rally, Galveston, TX
- Bike games Friday at Seawall and 21st, medals for winners and a championship buckle for overall
- Cycle Source Ride-in Custom Bike Show on Saturday, same spot, about 30 classes, $500 cash for Best of Show
- Love Ride 34, November 9, 2025, West Coast benefit for Wounded Warrior Project. Get tickets at Love Ride.
- Carolina Full Throttle Bike Show, Greensboro, NC, January 31. Early Smokeout posters will be in the wild.
Also coming soon from the mag: the S&S Vintage Tour issue featuring all six bikes from this year’s ride.
Stay in the loop with the Cycle Source newsletters. Sign up for the daily World Report, the Smokeout Rally list, and a monthly highlight reel on the Cycle Source website. Want more shows, features, and long-form interviews? Subscribe to Cycle Source TV on YouTube and catch full episodes every Sunday at 9 p.m. ET.
Conclusion
Indian Motorcycle is not going away. It is moving into a new phase, with leadership that knows bikes and a foundation strong enough to grow on. Competition with Harley makes every rider’s bike better. Standalone dealers boost service and community. Builders keep pushing craft forward in garages, not just labs. That is the heartbeat of this culture. Thanks for reading, and if this fired you up, send in your Garage Buildoff app, sign up for the newsletter, and we will see you at the next rally.