CLASSICS
WORDS AND PHOTOS:
Rhys Jones
INDIAN –
THE LEGEND LIVES ON
t was in 1900 when the idea of designing
and building a motor-assisted bicycle
that could be mass-produced and sold to
the public emerged in America. Before
that time, Germany and France had both
produced vehicles with similar expectations.
It was a German engineer named Gottlieb
Daimler who, given the nickname ‘Father of
the motorcycle’, was using a wooden framed
cycle to test a gasoline driven engine in
1885. It is, however, generally acknowledged
that Albert DeDion produced the first
manufactured motorcycle for sale in 1899.
There was an explosion of engine driven
bicycles at the turn of the century, and
which came first is open for debate. In
America it seems clear that when George
Hendee approached Oscar Hedstrom and
an agreement was reached to produce a
prototype motor-bicycle, which, in 1902, led
to mass production and the emergence of
the name American Indian for the overseas
market, they were in the vanguard of
motorcycle production in that country.
The company was quick to establish a
sporting identity after realising the strong
link between racing success, and what
customers were buying in the showrooms.
In 1907 the Isle of Man TT races began, and
Indian was quick to recognise the world-wide
significance of the event. In 1909 an Indian
came second in the 500cc single and 750cc
twin classes. The company had introduced
a V-twin in 1909 and special 580cc versions
were prepared for the Isle of Man in 1911.
They scored first, second, and third placings
in the Senior TT, in a race that lasted for just
over three and a half hours, at an average
speed of 76.20km/h. Behind them were the
best of the British Triumph and Matchless
entries. The Indian V-twin had arrived.
Push bike or motor bike? Indian twin from 1909
Indian twin from 1911 1912 8-valve board track racer