How to Value your Antique Indian Motorcycle – 2021

   It’s time for an update on values for our Indian Motorcycles. We last published this article in October 2014. Since our last value review we have had a recession with a slow recovery. Let’s see how the bikes are doing value wise. These articles have created a few letters from our members stating that we were creating price inflation, and at these published prices they would no longer be able to afford an Indian. This article is not intended to inflate any values. Our purpose is to report an accurate value of various models. These values have been averaged by interviewing sources on both the East and West coasts, magazine ads, and auction results.

   Since our last update values on all Indians have increased. During the past year Indian prices have remained in an upward trend. The past few months show that the upward movement of values is continuing. The most desirable bikes are unrestored projects. People are enjoying the challenge of restoring bikes, and these unrestored bikes are in high demand. The biggest change in values continues with the Four Cylinder Indians. In February 2004 a new record was set for the price of an Indian Four. At the Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction, a 1941 Indian Four sold for $58,000. This same bike will sell for over $70,000 today. This shows they are very much in demand and with very low production numbers they can command a premium price. The next greatest movement in prices is the last motorcycles built in Springfield, the 1952 – 1953 Chiefs.

   Every day on the phone we receive numerous requests regarding, “How much is my motorcycle worth ?” This is a very ambiguous question. There are several factors which determine the value of a motorcycle.
1. Condition of the machine.
2. Popularity of the machine.
3. Quantity Produced.
4. Professionally restored.
5. Current Market Price.

 First of all, the condition of the machine is of the utmost factor in determining it’s value. The better the condition, or more recently the restoration, the better the value. Also, originality has great importance. The greater the originality, the greater the price. To help determine the condition of the bike a standard has to be set. This standard involves rating the bikes on a 4 star scale with 1 star being the best condition.

   However, not everyone is always in agreement on where a machine falls on this scale. Care must be taken to rate a machine properly. A lot of machines will be advertised as 1 star machines when in actuality they are a high 2 star motorcycle. A 1 star motorcycle should be as close to the way it came from the factory as possible. All components down to the fasteners should be original or exact reproduction. All painting and plating should be in perfect condition and the proper color. All wiring should be routed per factory specs. This bike should be able to compete in the Antique Motorcycle Club of America and receive a 95 point grade or higher. To obtain this high score usually takes a high percentage of time and money. It can easily take 1 1/2 times as long to restore a 1 star bike than a 2 star bike.

   Based upon the above criteria, you will find the majority of bikes to be very nice 2 star restorations. There is nothing wrong with this. The ability to ride and enjoy your motorcycle is usually more valuable than owning a 1 star motorcycle. A three star motorcycle is one that is in average condition / older restoration, runs well, good paint, or nice rider bike. A four star motorcycle is one that needs work. The bike should be complete, not necessarily running, but completely together with all the parts required. This bike should not be a basket case. A basket case would be a bike completely disassembled usually found in boxes. This type of a bike is hard to value. Usually many parts are missing. Even if you think all the parts are there, you will find as you go to put it together that all the small parts that you missed usually add up to a high dollar amount. If you can avoid it, purchase a four star machine over a basket case any day.

   The popularity of your motorcycle and the quantity produced will also determine it’s value. For example: If you have a ’37 Jr. Scout and a ’37 Sport Scout, the Jr. Scout had less quantity produced, but was not very popular, so the Sport Scout is actually worth more. On the other hand, Four Cylinders were popular, still are popular, and were produced in low volumes. This has created a shortage of Indian Fours and has caused the price of this model to enter the stratosphere. The ’53 Chief also has this same scenario. With ’53 being the last year of production, many investors are looking for ’53’s and paying top dollar for them. On the other hand, another good example of the popularity reflecting the value of the bike is the 841 military Scout. This model was produced as a limited edition prototype, with only 1,000 machines produced. However it was never very popular. Therefore this bike does not command a premium price even though it is very rare and difficult to restore.

   Professional restoration or home restoration will also make a difference in the final value of the motorcycle. Usually a professional restorer knows a few tricks to update the engine and chassis while still obtaining the original appearance of the parts.

Finally, the current market price is the biggest factor on the value of your motorcycle. The past several years have seen overseas buyers, and investors purchasing bikes for far more than the average motorcyclist could afford. This trend was also helped along by a favorable exchange ratio from the foreign currency into U.S. Dollars. We have also seen this go in reverse, where a motorcycle was shipped overseas then brought back to the States by another buyer. All because of favorable exchange ratios. The past few years have seen the value of the US dollar skyrocket compared to other foreign currencies. We are now seeing many bikes being shipped back to the US so they can obtain top US dollar for their machine. On the other hand, this has driven several models out of the price range of many people. Such as the Four Cylinder models. This has created demand in other model lines. Most notably the last few years have shown more people restoring the 149/249 Vertical Twin models. No market price can take into account the steal of the century, when you unearth that 1940 Chief in the farmer’s barn for $500. But, finds like that are limited or nonexistent any more.

   Our table on lists current market prices for several models of Indians. Remember, these are only averages/estimates. It is not the intention of this article to “Set prices”. The prices should be used as approximations only! The buyer and seller ultimately decide the market price/value for a given motorcycle, and some bikes will sell for higher amounts and some lower, since the listed prices are averages.

Antique Indian Motorcycle Value Chart – Condition / Value