claimed to be the largest motorcycle company in the world , but it didn ’ t stay the distance with Harley , wrapping up in 1955 . Several attempts to revive it have been made , but the purists , it seems , yearn for the old classic Indians , which have a strong following all over the world . The company was quick to establish a sporting identity , realising the strong link between racing success , and what customers were buying in the showrooms . In 1911 five years

after the inaugural Isle of Man Tourist Trophy races , Indian took a team to the island . The company had introduced a V-twin in 1909 and special 580cc versions were prepared for the Isle of Man . They scored first , second , and third placings , in the Senior TT , a race that lasted for just over three and a half hours , at an average speed of 66.32km / h . Behind them were the best of the British Triumph and Matchless entries . The Indian V-twin had arrived .

Indian 8-Valve Board Track Racer 1912

Indian twin from which the 1911 Isle of Man TT winner was developed

Early Indian twin engine detail

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