Author Topic: nice Indian for Bill (Read 1582 times)

scunny · « **on:** November 29, 2008, 02:12:43 PM »

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s350/westernscunny/Picture084-1.jpg[/img]]

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s350/westernscunny/Picture085.jpg[/img]]

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s350/westernscunny/Picture087.jpg[/img]]

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s350/westernscunny/Picture090.jpg[/img]]

http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s350/westernscunny/Picture084.jpg[/img]]

bill440cars · « **Reply #1 on:** November 29, 2008, 05:25:51 PM »

Hey scunny, I just now saw this thread. Appreciate that!

I'm not much into choppers but that IS a pretty cool one alright!

Very nicely done too, I might add!

Take care guy & Thanks, Bill

754 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 29, 2008, 06:44:46 PM »

Looks like a PowerPlus in a later frame??

fuzzybutt · « **Reply #3 on:** November 30, 2008, 08:56:04 AM »

no, if you look at the pics of the bottom end of the motor, theres script indicationg it came from springfield, during the time hendee bicycles owned the company.

754 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 30, 2008, 09:52:28 AM »

Up to at least 40 they were all built in Springfield, or the Toronto factory.

The only ones I can think of that were not, may be the 2 strokes or a few late non-v-twin models.

Pwerplus was started around 16, first Scout came out in 20 I think, might have to check my books..getting a bit rusty..

scunny · « **Reply #5 on:** November 30, 2008, 10:53:38 AM »

so much for my career as a photographer, I was meant to have the build card as well

I think it was a 1931 motor but am open to more knowledgable input.

754 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 30, 2008, 11:07:47 AM »

Not a 31 motor or frame..motor looks likeabout 1916-21ish...

bill440cars · « **Reply #7 on:** November 30, 2008, 11:30:37 AM »

Well, I'll tell you, I'm a bit sketchy on some of the details before about the mid-40's Indians, but I'm learning from some of you all, the stuff I find online and my Dad. I think I'm doing pretty good though, considering I didn't come along until 47'.

I Do know that the last TRUE Indian was the 53' Chief, (some don't consider the vertical twin Warrior, the Scout, The Arrow, Brave & Papoose to be Indians) then came the rebadged Royal Enfields, then the Matchless motorcycles using the Indian model names (while still selling the Enfield version of the Chief), Then Sam Pierce had the rights for a couple of years (68 & 69, I think) and then, Floyd Clymer's attempt, then some 2stroke smaller bikes with the Indian name, then the (so-called) attempt by a man whose last name was Baughman (I think that's how you spell it), then the ones with an S & S engine, then the NEW Power Plus engine was produced for the Chief models (while the Scouts still carried the S & S engines) and now we are in the latest attempt. I really need to get details from my Dad, on the Indians and some other things.

754 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 30, 2008, 01:27:11 PM »

bill for me a few main era,s

Real lndians till 53

Indians from Springfield after 53

Italian and Clymer Indians

Obvius Fake Indians that rely more on Name (bought & paid for), than engineering and actual performance.

bill440cars · « **Reply #9 on:** November 30, 2008, 01:33:26 PM »

Quote from: 754 on November 30, 2008, 01:27:11 PM

bill for me a few main era,s

Real lndians till 53

Indians from Springfield after 53

Italian and Clymer Indians

Obvius Fake Indians that rely more on Name (bought & paid for), than engineering and actual performance.

Yeah, I hear ya Frank.

I'm still learning and don't know if I'll EVER know all about them. By the time I was old enough to know much at all about ANYTHING, my Dad & my Granddad were selling the Enfield/Indians and I helped put some together out of the crates. Dad or Granddad would park them outside, give me what I needed and I would clean them up (cosmolene and all). Then they would put them up on the showroom floor (after I had dried them off). Seems like I had to mount the seat, handlebars (switches, levers and throttle also), lights, footpegs, front wheel and fender. Of course, Dad or Granddad would service the battery and charge it. I think the oldest Indian I ever saw down at my Granddad's shop was about a 47' or so Chief and there was a fellow (from India) who was some sort of Doctor, who would come in now and then, on his 3 wheel Indian (like a H-D Servicycle). I think Indian called there's a "Dispatch Tow"

heffay · « **Reply #10 on:** November 30, 2008, 01:43:41 PM »

nice bike but damn that carpet is a bad acid trip!

KeithTurk · « **Reply #11 on:** November 30, 2008, 11:26:27 PM »

Strange side note...they did build a large number of Indian 3 wheelers for the New York Police department in 1955... 2 yrs after they went out of business...

Keith ( bout the only history I can remember from working with Ken Young back in the 70's )

bill440cars · « **Reply #12 on:** December 01, 2008, 08:27:17 AM »

Quote from: KeithTurk on November 30, 2008, 11:26:27 PM

Strange side note...they did build a large number of Indian 3 wheelers for the New York Police department in 1955... 2 yrs after they went out of business...

Keith ( bout the only history I can remember from working with Ken Young back in the 70's )

They did offer a 3 wheeler based on the Royal Enfield back then. Is that the one you are talking about? Because I don't believe that the actual Indian Dispatch Tow (as they called it) was built after the 40's. I could be wrong, but that's the best I recall. Here's the R.E. /Indian model and the Indian name was carried on with Royal Enfield from 55' - 59', with the Chief going a bit farther and it was carried with the Matchless line (even though it was an Enfield.

bill440cars · « **Reply #13 on:** December 01, 2008, 08:41:07 AM »

Check this out.

http://bp2.blogger.com/_HVhWEd7g-h4/SHVh19Fc1iI/AAAAAAAAAUI/2tPyKznOy-4/s1600-h/Indian+Dispatch+Tow.jpg

I found it here

http://minutia-microcarsminicars.blogspot.com/2008/07/indian-dispatch-tow.html

KeithTurk · « **Reply #14 on:** December 01, 2008, 08:58:47 AM »

You know that Enfield Indian looks like it's dates are "more" right.. though I thought it was a Standard V twin design...Honestly never gave it much thought...

I was having a Conversation with Ken Young ( not a guy long on conversations )... and he mentioned the NY police Dept build in 55 saying that was "really" the end of the Company as he knew it...
I just worked for him sweeping floors and being happy to be assocaited with the Indians that came through the shop... all of this happened back in 1975... so the years and my pea brain could well be mistaken...

The man taught me a lot of about mechanicing... simply by being a great example... Good enough was Never okay... it had to be "right"

Keith

bill440cars · « **Reply #15 on:** December 01, 2008, 09:00:44 AM »

I did happen to find this shot of a 1941 model of the Dispatch Tow

How about THAT for a "Grocery Getter"?

bill440cars · « **Reply #16 on:** December 01, 2008, 09:19:22 AM »

Quote from: KeithTurk on December 01, 2008, 08:58:47 AM

You know that Enfield Indian looks like it's dates are "more" right.. though I thought it was a Standard V twin design...Honestly never gave it much thought...

I was having a Conversation with Ken Young ( not a guy long on conversations )... and he mentioned the NY police Dept build in 55 saying that was "really" the end of the Company as he knew it...
I just worked for him sweeping floors and being happy to be assocaited with the Indians that came through the shop... all of this happened back in 1975... so the years and my pea brain could well be mistaken...

The man taught me a lot of about mechanicing... simply by being a great example... Good enough was Never okay... it had to be "right"

Keith

Lots of folks didn't (and still don't) associate any motorcycles after 53' as being True Indians. Then there are SOME who don't even accept ANYTHING other than the Chief as being the last model of the Indian that was produced. I can understand their feeling in each case.

I'm a little more open than that. The ones I don't recognize as Indians, are the 2 Strokes and the ones with the S & S engines. Nice to have someone (Ken Young) to relate to about those old times and the bikes, isn't it. And it sounds like he was one great person to learn from also.

BTW, I would like to add that I consider the Indians up until 1953 as being the "Original" Indians and have more regard for them as being the most deserving of MY respect.

754 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 01, 2008, 08:49:10 PM »

I got a buddy that does not think much of them after 1915!!

He says, that when they first got involed in stock scams and the like and it continued on to the end.

He probably has around 6 or more pre 15s and 1/2 of those are pre 10 !!

754 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 01, 2008, 08:52:29 PM »

I think those 55,s were made of leftover stuff..

Them Dispatch Tows freaking rock... nicer and rarer than Servicars

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Author Topic: nice Indian for Bill (Read 1582 times)

fuzzybutt