Today in motorcycle history, January 13, 2015

  




                             

  The much anticipated Indian Motorcycle Exhibit inside the Museum of Springfield History in Springfield, Massachusetts, opens.

  Some of the Indians in the exhibit I thought you might enjoy:

  A 1917 Model O Light Twin, which featured Indian’s horizontally opposed motor running front to back, NOT side to side.

  The 1925 single-cylinder Prince. Weighing in at 265 lbs and costing $185, it was aimed squarely at the entry-level rider. The marketing campaign included the slogan, “You can learn to ride it in five minutes!” That's about all the time you had, by 1929 production ceased.

  1926 Indian Scout was a nasty Hill Climb machine built for Bob Armstrong, a local hero in the 1920's. Armstrong's bike had a custom rear end, a more aggressive gear ratio and it ran on wood alcohol for fuel.


  And a 1937 Indian delivery van/motorcycle, or 'Traffic Car' as they were known. Built at the Indian Motorcycle factory it started life as an Indian Chief, powered by the same 42-degree, 74-cubic-inch V-twin as the two-wheeled model. But then, workers bolted a massive steel subframe to the rear of the bike and installed a jackshaft where the rear wheel should go. Sprockets on each side of the jackshaft turned drive chains to each rear axle, offering two-wheel drive. They were used to deliver everything from auto parts to ice cream.



  Today in motorcycle history proudly supports the National Association for Bikers with a Disability (NABD). www.nabd.org.uk

Today in motorcycle history, January 12, 2012

  

  At the 2012 Las Vegas Premier Motorcycle Auction a rarely seen Indian Scout "Junior" sells for $11,424.

  Unusual and rare compared to its big brother the more plentiful 45' Scout. This 1940 500cc "Junior" Scout was a good example of the smaller model. The bike was auctioned as 'complete and running'. This sweet bar-hopper is a definite head turner. 

  The 30.50' motor can cruise at 45mph but it has never been known to see the brighter side of 55mph. As one Indian aficionado was quoted as saying, "It'a great little bike but it can't pull the skin off a grape."

  Today in motorcycle history proudly supports the National Association for Bikers with a Disability (NABD). www.nabd.org.uk