Oscar Hedstrom and Oliver Hendee, both active in the cycle racing world, got together to found the Hendee Manufacturing Company and build the first prototype Indian motorcycle in 1901. That first machine was powered by a single-cylinder, ‘F-head’ (inlet over exhaust) engine that formed part of the ‘diamond’ frame, in Indian’s case it sloped rearwards to act as the seat tube. An advanced feature in motorcycling’s early, pioneering days, chain drive was used by Indian right from the start. The Indian single proved immensely successful and provided the basis for the first of the powerful, large-capacity v-twins for which the marque is best remembered. Indian’s first 38.61ci (633cc) v-twin appeared in 1907 with an engine clearly derived from that of the single, though mechanical inlet valves - introduced for 1908 - were an early improvement. The twin’s rear cylinder continued to form part of the frame until 1909 when a loop frame of the type favored by rivals Harley-Davidson was adopted. The Springfield firm’s first ‘Big Twin’ debuted that same year displacing 60.32ci (988cc). At the end of 1915 the Big Twin, by this time equipped with 61ci (998cc) engine, leaf-sprung frame and three-speed countershaft gearbox, was superseded by a new ‘flat head’ v-twin - the Powerplus - thus bringing to an end a noble line. This 'Big Twin' dates from 1912, a year in which Indian sales benefited considerably from the firm’s famous 1-2-3 finish at the 1911 Isle of Man TT, a remarkable achievement made possible by the advantages conferred by the use of all-chain drive. Acquired by the vendor in 1988 from Beamont, CA, the machine had been kept in storage in the immediately preceding owner’s house since 1955 and thus has enjoyed only two owners in the past 52 years. Between 2000 and 2007 it was restored to ‘better than new’ condition by the vendor, an enthusiast with many years experience of Indian motorcycles and numerous awards to his credit. Not started since completion, this superbly restored Big Twin is offered with California Certificate of Title.
Oscar Hedstrom and Oliver Hendee, both active in the cycle racing world, got together to found the Hendee Manufacturing Company and build the first prototype Indian motorcycle in 1901. That first machine was powered by a single-cylinder, ‘F-head’ (inlet over exhaust) engine that formed part of the ‘diamond’ frame, in Indian’s case it sloped rearwards to act as the seat tube. An advanced feature in motorcycling’s early, pioneering days, chain drive was used by Indian right from the start. The Indian single proved immensely successful and provided the basis for the first of the powerful, large-capacity v-twins for which the marque is best remembered. Indian’s first 38.61ci (633cc) v-twin appeared in 1907 with an engine clearly derived from that of the single, though mechanical inlet valves - introduced for 1908 - were an early improvement. The twin’s rear cylinder continued to form part of the frame until 1909 when a loop frame of the type favored by rivals Harley-Davidson was adopted. The Springfield firm’s first ‘Big Twin’ debuted that same year displacing 60.32ci (988cc). At the end of 1915 the Big Twin, by this time equipped with 61ci (998cc) engine, leaf-sprung frame and three-speed countershaft gearbox, was superseded by a new ‘flat head’ v-twin - the Powerplus - thus bringing to an end a noble line. This 'Big Twin' dates from 1912, a year in which Indian sales benefited considerably from the firm’s famous 1-2-3 finish at the 1911 Isle of Man TT, a remarkable achievement made possible by the advantages conferred by the use of all-chain drive. Acquired by the vendor in 1988 from Beamont, CA, the machine had been kept in storage in the immediately preceding owner’s house since 1955 and thus has enjoyed only two owners in the past 52 years. Between 2000 and 2007 it was restored to ‘better than new’ condition by the vendor, an enthusiast with many years experience of Indian motorcycles and numerous awards to his credit. Not started since completion, this superbly restored Big Twin is offered with California Certificate of Title.
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