1969 started out looking like it could be the biggest year ever, with literally thousands of orders for mini-bikes, and a few orders for a new fun kart on the books already. Unfortunately there was nothing but problems in the shop, due to the fact that Ken O’Nan, the plant superintendent, was so busy trying to set up the trailer manufacturing building so they could start building camping trailers. To make matters worse, Briggs & Stratton made a decision, not to sell engines to be used on mini-bikes anymore. In January and February the balance of the Briggs & Stratton engines were used up on the frames that were made to fit them. January ended with 660 mini-bikes built and February was only 402 mini-bikes built. Because the old frame that used the Briggs & Stratton engine would not work with the new Tecumseh engine, something had to be done to switch everything over to accommodate the new engine. Ken and Regis were good friends and kept in touch, when Ken found out that Regis was selling out his share of the snowmobile business, he wanted Regis to come and help get the mini-bikes switched over and production back on track. Raymond and Regis talked, but Regis would only come in to help if he would have full control of the shop, this did not set well with the current shop management people. Regis said that he would guarantee to get production up to 3000 units per month by the end of July, for an hourly rate plus a bonus when he met the goal, but Regis insisted on total control. Raymond, realizing that Regis could do the job, made the decision to agree, and things were on their way. The first month was the hardest, Regis worked up to 20 hours a day, changing fixtures, and building new welding systems that made it easier and faster to weld. Little by little Regis improved every aspect of the production. March production was up to 1304 units, April was up to 2005 units, May was up to 2130 units, June was up to 2780 units, and July production hit 3077 mini-bikes built. Raymond was happy, Regis got his bonus, was happy, and left to start a new business, and the workers were turning out more units, but not working as hard, so they were happy. “LiL” Indian successfully made the switch from Briggs & Stratton to Tecumseh, and made some improvements on the bikes as well. In 1969 “LiL” Indian had 16 models of mini-bikes, 4 models of Go-Karts. Total production for 1969 was 16,677 mini-bikes, 792 fun karts & 6 camping trailers. 1969 turned out to be the biggest production year that “LiL” Indian would ever have. A total of 17,475 units were built. It was a very good year.
copy and pasted from
https://www.alliedleisurecorp.com/littleindianhistory