Indian (motorcycle) 187816 224666129 2008-07-09T21:48:42Z Ceyockey 150564 /* Indian Chief */ added cited passage regarding August 2006 stamp issue {{Infobox Company | company_name = Indian Motocycle Manufacturing Company | company_logo = [[Image:Indian motorcycle logo.jpg]] | company_type = [[Limited liability company|LLC]] | foundation = [[Springfield, Massachusetts|Springfield]], [[Massachusetts]], [[USA]] ([[1901]]) | founder = George M. Hendee</br>Carl Oscar Hedström | location_city = {{flagicon|USA}} [[Springfield, Massachusetts|Springfield]], [[Massachusetts]] | location_country = [[USA]] | key_people = George M. Hendee</br>Carl Oscar Hedström <span style="font-variant:small-caps">(designer)</span></br>Charles B. Franklin <span style="font-variant:small-caps">(designer, racer)</span> | products = [[Motorcycle]] | num_employees = | parent = | subsid = }} The '''Indian Motocycle Manufacturing Company''' (''sic'') was a motorcycle manufacturer in [[Springfield, Massachusetts]]. Indian was America's oldest motorcycle brand and was once the largest manufacturer of motorcycles in the world. The most popular models were the Scout, made prior to [[World War II|WWII]], and the Chief, which had its heyday from 1922-53 ==Early years - Hendee and Hedström== [[Image:IndianHedstrom.jpg|thumb|left|Carl Oscar Hedström with the first prototype of Indian]] The "Indian Motocycle Co." was founded as the Hendee Manufacturing Company by George M. Hendee and Carl Oscar Hedström. Both Hendee and Hedström 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. [[1901]], Prototype and two production units successfully designed, built and tested. Work began on these in previous years. [[1902]], First Indian motorcycles, featuring innovative belt-drives and streamlined styling, sold to public. [[1903]] Indian co-founder and chief engineer Oscar Hedstrom sets world motorcycle speed record (56mph). 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 track racing|dirt]] and [[board track racing|board]] track racing. He left Indian for Excelsior and died in [[1913]], aged 33, of injuries sustained in a board track 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. Oscar Hedstrom left Indian in 1913 after disagreements with the Board of Directors regarding dubious practices to inflate the company's stock values.<ref>Johnstone, G. "Classic Motorcycles" p. 44 Tiger Books Internationa PLC, 1993 ISBN 1-85501-731-8</ref> George Hendee resigned in 1916.<ref name=ClassicScout>Johnstone, G. "Classic Motorcycles" p. 46-47 Tiger Books Internationa PLC, 1993 ISBN 1-85501-731-8</ref> ==Inter-war era - Scouts, Chiefs, and Fours== [[Image:IndianScoutBike.jpg|thumb|1920 Indian Scout]] [[Image:Indian Scouts.jpg|thumb|'''Indian Scouts''' in police service, 1920s]] 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.'''" In [[1930]] Indian merged with duPont Motors.<ref name=duPontFame>[http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/hofbiopage.asp?id=317 Motorcycle Hall of Fame: E. Paul DuPont]</ref> duPont Motors founder E. Paul DuPont ceased production of duPont automobiles and concentrated the company's resources on Indian.<ref name=duPontFame /> duPont'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's huge Springfield factory was known as the Wigwam, and native American imagery was much used in advertising. 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]]. During this time, the company also manufactured other products such as aircraft engines, bicycles, boat motors and air conditioners. ===Indian Chief=== [[Image:Indian Big Chief 1200cc 1928 - 2.jpg|thumb|1928 Indian Big Chief with sidecar]]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. 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. Recognition of the historical significance of this model was made with a August 2006 [[United States Postal Service]] 39-cent [[Postage stamp|stamp]] issue, part of a four panel set entitled ''American Motorcycles''.<ref>{{cite journal |author=ed. William J. Gicker |year=2006 |title=American Motorcycles 39¢ (Self-Adhesive) |format=print |journal=USA Philatelic |volume=11 |issue=3 |pages=5 |id= |url= |accessdate=2008-07-09 |quote=Featured motorcycles are the 1940 Indian&reg; with its controversial skirted fenders.... }}</ref> 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]]. ===Indian Scout===<!-- This section is linked from [[Harley-Davidson]] --> {{seealso|Indian 101 Scout}} [[Image:ZweiRadMuseumNSU Indian Scout.JPG|thumb|1929 Indian 101 Scout]] The '''Indian Scout''' rivaled the Chief as Indian's most important model. The Scout was introduced in 1920 with a 596 cc (37ci) engine. The engine size was increased to 745 cc (45ci) in 1927 in response to the popularity of the [[Excelsior Super X]].<ref name=ClassicScout /><ref name=EncyclopediaScout101>Wilson, H. "The Encyclopedia of the Motorcycle" p. 104-105 Dorling-Kindersley Limited, 1995 ISBN 0 7513 0206 6</ref> The most famous version was the 101 Scout of 1928, which featured improved handling from a new, lower frame.<ref name=ClassicScout /><ref name=EncyclopediaScout101 /> In [[1932]], cost cutting led to the Scout's using the heavier Chief frame, which was less successful.<ref name=ClassicScout /><ref name=EncyclopediaScout101 /> The negative reaction to this Scout led to the creation of the Sport Scout of 1934, with a light frame, Girder forks, improved carburation and alloy cylinder heads.<ref name=ClassicScout /> The Sport Scout won the first [[Daytona 200]] in 1937.<ref name=ClassicScout /> Many 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.<ref>Wilson, H. "The Ultimate Motorcycle Book" p. 37 Dorling-Kindersley Limited, 1993 ISBN 0 7513 0043 8</ref> Smaller 500 cc (30.5ci) Scouts were also built between [[1932]] and [[1941]], known as the Scout Pony, Junior Scout and Thirty-Fifty.<ref>Wilson, H. "The Encyclopedia of the Motorcycle" p. 107 Dorling-Kindersley Limited, 1995 ISBN 0 7513 0206 6</ref> ===Indian Four=== {{seealso|Ace Motor Corporation}} [[Image:ZweiRadMuseumNSU Indian Four.JPG|thumb|1935 Indian Four]] [[Image:Duckonindian.jpg|thumb|1934 Indian Four]] Indian purchased the ownership of the name, rights, and production facilities of the [[Ace Motor Corporation]] in 1927. Production was moved to Springfield and the motorcycle was marketed as the Indian Ace for one year.<ref name=UltMoto31>Wilson, H. ''The Ultimate Motorcycle Book'' p. 31 Dorling-Kindersley Limited, 1993 ISBN 0 7513 0043 8</ref><ref name=EncycloMoto11>Wilson, H. ''The Encyclopedia of the Motorcycle'' p. 11 Dorling-Kindersley Limited, 1995 ISBN 0 7513 0206 6</ref> In 1928, the Indian Ace was replaced by the Indian 401, a development of the Ace designed by Arthur O. Lemon, former Chief Engineer at Ace, who was employed by Indian when they bought Ace.<ref name=EncycloMoto106>Wilson, H. ''The Encyclopedia of the Motorcycle'' p. 106 Dorling-Kindersley Limited, 1995 ISBN 0 7513 0206 6</ref> The Ace's leading-link forks and central coil spring were replaced by Indian's trailing-link forks and quarter-elliptic leaf spring.<ref name=EncycloMoto11 /><ref name=ClasMotoArchive>[http://motorarchive.com/includes/motor_detail.php?id=161 Classic Motorcycle Archive - Indian 401]</ref> By 1929, the Indian 402 would have a stronger twin-downtube frame based on that of the 101 Scout and a sturdier five-bearing crankshaft than the Ace, which had a three-bearing crankshaft.<ref name=EncycloMoto106 /><ref name=ClasMoto43>Johnstone, G. ''Classic Motorcycles'' p. 106 Tiger Books International PLC, 1995 ISBN1-85501-731-8</ref> Despite the low demand for luxury motorcycles during the Depression, Indian not only continued production of the Four, but continued to develop the motorcycle. One of the less popular versions of the Four was the "upside down" engine on the 1936-37 models. While earlier (and later) Fours had IOE (inlet over exhaust) cylinder heads with overhead inlet valves and side exhaust valves, the 1936-37 Indian Four had a unique EOI cylinder head, with the positions reversed. In theory, this would improve fuel vaporization. In practice, it made the cylinder head, and the rider's inseam, very hot. Dual carburetors, fitted in 1937, did not help. The design was returned to the original configuration in 1938.<ref name=EncycloMoto106 /><ref name=HallFame36I4>[http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/classics/bike.asp?id=28 Motorcycle Hall of Fame: The Classics: 1936 Indian "Upside-Down" Four]</ref> Like the Chief, the Four was given large, skirted fenders and plunger rear suspension in 1940. In 1941, the 18" wheels of previous models were replaced with 16" wheels with balloon tires.<ref name=EncycloMoto106 /> The Indian Four was discontinued in 1943.<ref name=EncycloMoto106 /><ref name=UltMoto37>Wilson, H. ''The Ultimate Motorcycle Book'' p. 37 Dorling-Kindersley Limited, 1993 ISBN 0 7513 0043 8</ref> ==World War II== Chiefs, Scouts, and Junior Scouts were all used for various purposes by the [[United States Army]] in [[World War II]]. However, none of these could unseat the [[Harley-Davidson WLA]] as the motorcycle mainly used by the Army. ===Indian 841=== {{mainarticle|Indian 841}} During World War II, the US Army requested experimental motorcycle designs suitable for desert fighting.<ref name="HallFame841">[http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/classics/bike.asp?id=72 Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum - 1941 Military Model 841]</ref> In response to this request, Indian designed and built the 841. The Indian 841 was heavily inspired by the BMW R71 motorcycle used by the German Army at the time, as was its competitor, the [[Harley-Davidson XA]].<ref name="MO841">[http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcmuseum/i841.html Motorcycle Online: Indian Model 841]</ref> However, unlike the XA, the 841 was not a copy of the R71. Although its tubular frame, plunger rear suspension, and shaft drive were similar to the BMW's, the 841 was different from the BMW in several aspects, most noticeably so with its 90-degree longitudinal-crankshaft [[V-twin]] engine and [[Motorcycle fork#Girder fork|girder fork]].<ref name="HallFame841" /><ref name="MO841" /> The Indian 841 and the Harley-Davidson XA were both tested by the Army, but neither motorcycle was adopted for wider military use. It was determined that the [[Jeep]] was more suitable for the roles and missions for which these motorcycles had been intended.<ref name="HallFame841" /><ref name="HallFameXA">[http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/classics/bike.asp?id=71 Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum - 1942 Harley-Davidson XA]</ref> ==Post-war - decline and demise== In 1945, a group headed by Ralph B. Rogers purchased a controlling interest of the company.<ref name=Encyclopedia271>Wilson, H. "The Encyclopedia of the Motorcycle" p. 271 Dorling-Kindersley Limited, 1995 ISBN 0 7513 0206 6</ref> On [[November 1]], [[1945]], duPont formally turned the operations of Indian over to Rogers.<ref name=duPontFame /> Under Rogers' control, Indian discontinued the Scout and began to manufacture lightweight motorcycles such as the 149 Arrow, the Super Scout 249, both introduced in 1949, and the 250 Warrior, introduced in 1950.<ref>Wilson, H. "The Encyclopedia of the Motorcycle" p. 108-109 Dorling-Kindersley Limited, 1995 ISBN 0 7513 0206 6</ref> These bikes suffered from poor quality and a lack of development. Production of traditional Indians was extremely limited in 1949, and no 1949 Chiefs are known to exist. Manufacture of all products was halted in [[1953]]. [[Brockhouse Engineering]] and [[Royal Enfield]] bikes were imported from England and badged and sold as Indians through the rest of the 1950s.<ref name=Encyclopedia271 /> After this the Indian name passed to the company that imported Matchless motorcycles into the US, however it did not attach the name to any motorcycles, and it went into liquidation in 1962. From the 1960s entrepreneur [[Floyd Clymer]] began using the Indian name, apparently without purchasing it from the last known legitimate trademark holder. He attached it to imported motorcycles, commissioned to Italian ex-pilot and engineer Leopoldo Tartarini, owner of [[Italjet Moto]] , to manufacture Minarelli-engined 50cc minibikes under the Indian Papoose name. These were so successful that Clymer also commissioned Tartarini to build full-size Indian motorcycles based on the Italjet Grifon design, but fitted firstly with [[Royal Enfield]] Interceptor 750cc parallel-twin engines, then with Velocette 500cc single-cylinder engines.{{Fact|date=March 2008}}<br> After Clymer's death in [[1970]] his widow sold the alleged Indian trademark to Los Angeles attorney Alan Newman, who continued to import minicycles made by ItalJet, and later manufactured in a wholly owned assembly plant located in [[Taipei]] ([[Taiwan]]). Several models with engine displacement between 50cc and 175cc were produced, mostly fitted with Italian two-stroke engines made either by Italjet or [[Franco Morini]], but the fortunes of this venture didn't last long. By [[1975]] sales were dwindling, and in January [[1977]] the company was declared bankrupt. The right to the brand name passed through a succession of owners and became a subject of competing claims in the 1980s, finally decided in December 1998 by a Federal bankruptcy court in Denver, Colorado. ==Gilroy Indian Motorcycle (1999-2003)== A new company with facilities in [[Gilroy, California]] began manufacturing motorcycles badged under the famous "Indian" name in [[1999]] after purchase of the Indian trademark. These motorcycles are often referred to as "Gilroy Indian" motorcycles. 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 engines, after the completion of an all-new engine design that ran from 2002 to 2003, the 100ci Powerplus, the company succumbed to bankruptcy again in late [[2003]], after a major investor backed out. ==New Indian Motorcycle Company== 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 in [[Kings Mountain, North Carolina|Kings Mountain]], [[North Carolina]], where it plans to resurrect the iconic Indian Motorcycle Brand (refer to the [http://www.indianmotorcycle.com/Portals/0/docs/Press_Releases/Indian%20Motorcycle%20Revised%20Press%20Release%20-%20Revised%20Sept.pdf "July 20, 2006 - Press Release - Indian Motorcycle Company Announces New Home"]on the official website). New Indian has goals of producing a new Chief using a modern fuel-injected 105ci V-Twin engine which they are building in-house. The new Chief will have the classic valanced fenders. However, New Indian plans to offer several variations of the Chief including a more modern style without the valanced fenders. New Indian also plans on offering an accessory line for both the New Indian and the Gilroy Indian motorcycles built from 1999 to 2003. ==Land records== Between [[1962]] and [[1967]], [[New Zealand]]er [[Burt Munro]] used a modified 1920s Indian Scout to set a number of land speed records, as dramatised in the 2005 film ''[[The World's Fastest Indian]]''. ==References== {{Reflist|2}} ==See also== {{commonscat|Indian motorcycles}} * [[1911 Isle of Man TT]] [[Category:Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of the United States]] ==External links== *[http://www.indianmotorcycle.com/ Indian Motorcycle website] *[http://www.ironindian.com/ Website of the Iron Indian Riders Association] *[http://www.geocities.com/charles_b_franklin/ Charles B Franklin website] *[http://www.virtualindian.org/ Running, riding and rebuilding Indian motorcycles] *[http://www.indianmotorcyclecommunity.com/ Forum for Indian Motorcycle fans and owners] *[http://www.indianbikez.blogspot.com/ Indian Motocycles clubs in India] *[http://www.indianwreckingcrew.com/ Legendary postwar racers the Indian Wrecking Crew] {{Major USA motorcycle manufacturers}} [[Category:Companies based in Springfield, Massachusetts]] [[Category:Companies based in North Carolina]] [[Category:Cleveland County, North Carolina]] [[Category:Motorcycle manufacturers of the United States]] [[Category:Vehicles by brand]] [[Category:Moped manufacturers]] [[de:Indian]] [[es:Indian]] [[fr:Indian]] [[nl:Indian]] [[ja:インディアン]] [[pl:Indian]] [[fi:Indian]] [[sv:Indian (mc)]]