Indian (motorcycle)

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Indian Motorcycle Manufacturing Company <tr><td colspan="2" style="text-align:center; padding:16px 0 16px 0;">Image:Indian motorcycle logo.jpg</td></tr>
Type	L.L.C
Founded	Springfield, Massachusetts (1901)
Headquarters	Kings Mountain, North Carolina <tr><th style="text-align:right; padding-right:0.75em;">Key people</th><td>George M. Hendee and Carl Oscar Hedström Founders</td></tr><tr><th style="text-align:right; padding-right:0.75em;">Products</th><td>Motorcycles</td></tr><tr><th style="text-align:right; padding-right:0.75em;">Website</th><td>www.indianmotorcycle.com</td></tr>

The Indian Motorcycle Manufacturing Company, America's oldest motorcycle brand, was founded as the Hendee Manufacturing Company by George M. Hendee and Carl Oscar Hedström in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1901, two years before the Harley-Davidson Motor Company.

Both Hendee and Hedstrom were former bicycle racers who teamed up to produce a motorcycle with a 1.75 bhp, single cylinder engine in Hendee's home town of Springfield. The bike was successful and sales increased dramatically during the next decade.

In 1904, the so-called diamond framed Indian Single, whose engine was built by the Aurora Firm in Illinois, was made available in the deep red color that would become Indian's trademark. By now, the production was up to over 500 bikes annually and would rise to its best ever 32,000 in 1913.

In 1907, Indian built its first V-twin, and in following years made a strong showing in racing and record-breaking. One of the firm's most famous riders was Erwin "Cannonball" Baker, who set many long-distance records. In 1914, he rode an Indian across America, from San Diego to New York, in a record 11 days, 12 hours and ten minutes. Baker's mount in subsequent years was the Powerplus, a side-valve V-Twin, which was introduced in 1916. Its 61ci (1000 cc), 42 degree V-twin engine was more powerful and quieter than previous designs, giving a top speed of 60 mph (96 km/h). The Powerplus was highly successful, both as a roadster and as the basis for racing bikes. It remained in production with few changes until 1924.

Competition success played a big part in Indian's rapid growth and spurred technical innovation, as well. One of the American firm's best early results came in the Isle of Man TT in 1911, when Indian riders Godfrey, Franklin and Moorehouse finished first, second and third. Indian star Jake De Rosier set several speed records both in America and at Brooklands in England, and won an estimated 900 races on dirt-tracks and boards. He left Indian for Excelsior and died in 1913, aged 33, of injuries sustained in a board-race crash with Charles "Fearless" Balke, who later became Indian's top rider. Work at the Indian factory was stopped while De Rosier's funeral procession passed.

Image:Indian Big Chief 1200cc 1928 - 2.jpg

The Scout and Chief V-twins, introduced in the early 1920s, became the Springfield firm's most successful models. Designed by Charles B. Franklin, the middleweight Scout and larger Chief shared a 42 degree V twin engine layout. Both models gained a reputation for strength and reliability, which led to the old Indian saying: "You can't wear out an Indian Scout, or its brother the Indian Chief. They are built like Rocks to take hard knocks; it's the Harleys that cause grief."

The first 1922 model Chief had a 1000 cc (61ci) engine based on that of the Powerplus; a year later the engine was enlarged to 1200 cc (73ci). Numerous improvements were made over the years, including adoption of a front brake in 1928. After Indian had been bought by E. Paul DuPont in 1930, the new owner's paint industry connections resulted in no fewer than 24 color options being offered in 1934. Models of that era featured Indian's famous head-dress logo on the gas tank. Indian huge Springfield's factory was known as the Wigwam, and native American imagery was much used in advertising.

In 1940, all models were fitted with the large skirted fenders that became an Indian trademark, and the Chief gained a new sprung frame that was superior to rival Harley's unsprung rear end. The 1940s Chiefs were handsome and comfortable machines, capable of 85 mph(136 km/h) in standard form and over 100 mph (160 km/h) when tuned, although their increased weight hampered acceleration.

In 1950, the V-Twin engine was enlarged to 1300 cc (80ci) and telescopic forks were adopted. But Indian's financial problems meant that few bikes were built, and production of the Chief ended in 1953.

The Scout, initially with a 596 cc (37ci) engine that was bored out to 745 cc (45ci) in 1927, rivaled the Chief as Indian's most important model. The most famous version was the 101 Scout of 1928, which featured improved handling from a new, lower frame. In 1932, cost cutting led to the Scout's using the heavier Chief frame, which was less successful.

Image:IndianHedstrom.jpgMany Scouts were used in the Second World War, but the model was dropped when the civilian production restarted in 1946. In 1948, Indian built just 50 units of the Daytona Sports Scout, one of which took Floyd Emde to victory in that year's Daytona 200 mile (322 km) race. Smaller 500 cc (30.5ci) Scouts were also built between 1932 and 1941, known as the Scout Pony, Junior Scout and Thirty-Fifty.

In 1940, Indian sold nearly as many motorcycles as its major rival, Harley-Davidson. At the time, Indian represented the only true American-made heavyweight cruiser alternative to Harley-Davidson.

The company went on to manufacture other products such as aircraft engines, bicycles, boat motors and air conditioners. Manufacture of all products was halted in 1953.

The most popular models were the Scout, made prior to WWII, and the Chief, which had its heyday from 1922-53 (although 1949 production was extremely limited and no 1949 Chiefs are known to exist).

A new company began manufacturing motorcycles badged under the famous "Indian" name in 1999, after purchase of the Indian trademark. The model was based around a newer version of the Chief. Scout and Spirit models were also manufactured starting in 2001. These bikes were made from off-the-shelf S&S engine , but nearing the completion of an all-new engine design the 100ci powerplus, the company succumbed to bankruptcy again in late 2003, after a major investor backed out.

There is hope that the production will resume in 2007. On July 20, 2006, the newly formed Indian Motorcycle Company, owned largely by Stellican Limited, a London-based private equity firm, announced its new home as Kings Mountain, North Carolina, where it hopes to resurrect the iconic Indian Motorcycle Brand (refer to the "July 20, 2006 - Press Release - Indian Motorcycle Company Annouces New Home" on the official website). This new company has goals of producing a new Chief by mid-2007, and having an accessory line for the Indian Motorcycles built from 1999 to 2003.

[edit] Land records

Between 1962 and 1967, New Zealander Burt Munro used a modified 1920s Indian to set a number of land speed records, as dramatised in the 2005 film The World's Fastest Indian.