Re: THE BEST INDIAN EVER MADE
The best Indian ever made was the Kawasaki Drifter (1500 or 800, take your pick).
It looked even better than the originals that came from the Wigwam in Springfield, and it was definitely better in performance, ease of maintenance, and reliability than the originals (and also better than any of the latter-day clone bikes).
The Kawasaki Drifters were never hot sellers, so you can probably pick up one for a very reasonable price. The Vulcan 1500 engine is good for 100,000+ miles, so you could keep a Drifter long enough for it to be a classic in its own right.
If you're in love with the authentic 1940s look, the first year or two of the Drifter 1500 is the choice. It came with matte silver engine and powder-coated black forks and other bits that today would be chromed, and it was painted an authentic maroon. Subsequent years saw the black bits replaced with chrome, and brighter colors were offered. You might also find a maroon and black first-year model that has been painted a brighter color.