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

facebook. com / CaffeineAndClassics

68KIWI RIDER