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SPRINGFIELD, MA – Doug Miles bought his red Indian Chief right out of the carton. He was in the U.S. Navy at the time, stationed on Puerto Rico. The bike had been destined for the police department but when the delivery fell through, the dealer was anxious to sell it. Miles recalled the dealer told him, “I’ll sell it to you for what it cost to get it delivered from Springfield.”
The price of the bike was $825, and Miles (pictured at right) still has the bill of sale – in Spanish – to prove it. He’s owned it for 66 years and has ridden it 26,358 kilometers. Yes, the odometer records kilometers. He last rode it on Saturday, but only a hundred yards or so. That’s not bad considering that Miles is 88 years old. “If you think I’m a nut, you’re right, he said. 
Miles lives in nearby Chicopee but brought the bike to the Springfield Museums on Sunday for the 5th annual Indian Day celebration.
“All the dents are original,” he said as he showed off the Chief, which was one of dozens of vintage Indians on display.
He estimated that he dropped the Indian eight or ten times over the years. “The last time I fell off it was maybe 30 years ago. I’ve had a lot of fun on it,” he said.
Having a lot of fun at Indian Day were hundreds of spectators. “It’s amazing the number of people who bring their vintage motorcycles here,” said Guy McLain, director of history museums for Springfield Museums. McLain noted that not only have the number of entrants in the show increased over the years but so have the number of vendors and exhibitors. “It’s getting to be known,” he said of the show. “After you’ve done it a few times, you get good at it.”
