Lil Indian 5000

[cashman]

Here is a pic of me on the Lil Indian in 1968.



Here is the same bike 40 years later.





The bike was later sold and I was able to get it back several years ago. I was disapointed with what they did to it but gratefull they kept it in the dry all those years. The engine is a Kohler CS-4 that is in reality a rebadged Yamaha built in Japan. I originally repowered it with a CS-6 on it but later needed that engine on a lawnmower.



The original 5hp B&S and a NOS tire to go on the rear. Later. Thanks!!!

[lonesherpa]

cool bike cant wait to see it restored. that engine looks beefy too, good luck

[Tom S.]

Didn't we all look sharp in the 60s? Here's a photo of me holding onto my dog & my Lil Indian in '67 or '68, followed by another of the nearly-identical bike I found on craigslist last winter. Your bike is a much fancier model. I've never seen one like yours before.

[cashman]

Tom,

If I remember right? Lil Indian had the 300 through 500 models in the late 1960's. They along with the 5000 and 6000 Lil Indian didn't have folding handlebars. This was approximately 1967-68 time period. I remember in 1968 they had two swing-arm models, the 5000 and 6000. The 5000 had a jackshaft and the 6000 had the two-speed clutch set-up. The 5000 was painted blue and the 6000 was painted red in the factory assembled models. In 1969, most of the Lil Indians I remember had a different larger frame design and came with folding handlebars and larger clutch covers. The model designation changed in 1969 also. The 300 model changed to the 3500 model. The 500 model changed to the 5500 model, etc. Don't know anything anout Lil Indian after 1969 as dad started selling Rupp after that. Thanks!!!