The Indian Motorcycle Manufacturing Company was founded in 1901, by former bicycle racers George M. Hendee and Oscar Hedstrom, and is based in Springfield, Massachusetts. Formed two years before the Harley-Davidson Company, The Indian Motorcycle is America’s oldest motorcycle brand.
The first Indian had a 1.75 BHP, single cylinder engine. The motorcycle was an instant success with sales increasing rapidly during the next decade. The famous diamond framed Indian Single was launched in 1904. The engine of the bike was built by the Aurora Firm in Illinois. It was available in the deep red color that’s synonymous with the Indian motorcycle till date. The popularity of the Indian Motorcycle grew to such an extent, that in 1913 the company sold nearly 32,000 bikes. Erwin "Cannonball" Baker, one of the Indian’s most famous riders, made a strong show by setting numerous racing and long-distance records on the Indians first V-twin bike. The “Powerplus”, a side-valve V-twin engine, was unveiled in 1916 and was successful both as the basis for a racing bike as well as a roadster. Modified versions of the “Powerplus” are still used in Indian Motorcycles. Jake De Rosier, another Indian motorcycle superstar, won an estimated 900 races on dirt-tracks and boards.
The Indian Motorcycle Company launched the “Scout” and the “Chief” in the early 1920s. The “Scout” and “Chief” both had 42 degree V-twin engines, with their layout designed by Charles B Franklin, these two bikes are the company’s most successful models. They were both admired for their strength and durability; which brought about the famous 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, The Indian Motorcycle Company was taken over by entrepreneur E Paul DuPont; this led to the motorcycles being available in more than 24 color options. The company featured the head-dress of a Native American on the gas tank and also stuck with this Native American look in all its advertising campaigns. The company’s factory was also known as the Wigwam.
“The World’s Fastest Indian” was a movie released in 2005 that dramatized the numerous land speed records set by Burt Munro on Indian Motorcycles in the 1920s. In 1999, the “Indian” brand name was taken over by another company and produced new versions of the “Scout”. It also produced the “Chief” and “Spirit” models made from ready made engines and were based on the Harley-Davidson design. The company went penniless in late 2003; however it is hopeful that production will resume in 2006. |
