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Museums 301: Indian Motorcycles (photo diary) [1]

['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']

Date: 2025-01-26

Indian motorcycles were produced in the United States from 1901 until 1953. In 1887, George Hendee founded the Hendee Manufacturing Company to make bicycles. In 1901, Hendee and Oscar Hedstrom, both former bicycle racers, produced the first Indian motorcycle at the old Worchester Cycle Manufacturing plant in Middletown, Connecticut. In 1902, the first Indian motorcycles went on sale to the public and in 1903, Hedstrom set a new world motorcycle speed record of 56 mph.

This poster was displayed in the Miracle of America Museum in Polson, Montana.

During World War I, Indian sold most of its motorcycles to the military which meant that its dealers were unable to get motorcycles. Following World War I, having lost many dealers, Indian lost its first place standing to Harley-Davidson.

In the 1920s, Indian introduced the Scout and Chief models, both of which were powered by a 42-degree V-twin engine. Both models had a reputation for reliability.

In 1930, Indian merged with Du Pont Motors which stopped production of automobiles and concentrated its efforts on motorcycles. By 1934, Indian models had at least 24 color options. The Native American theme was used in its advertising and an Indian war bonnet logo was on the gas tanks. The factory became known as “the wigwam.”

During World War II, Indian produced motorcycles for the United States Army and for the British. Following the War, Indian was purchased by Ralph B. Rogers and production of the Chief was resumed. Indian stopped production in 1953.

This poster was displayed in the Miracle of America Museum in Polson, Montana.

Shown below are some Indian motorcycles which were on display in museums.

Unidentified Indian

The Miracle of America Museum in Polson, Montana has a collection of motorcycles which were displayed with no information.

1918 Indian

This motorcycle was displayed in the Miracle of America Museum in Polson, Montana.

1919 Indian Power Plus

This motorcycle was displayed in the LeMay—America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington as a part of the 2024 Master Collector exhibit.

The Indian Power Plus was produced from 1916 to 1919. It has an 18 HP, 1000 cc, 4-stroke Flathead V-twin engine. The U.S. Army bought 50,000 Power Plus motorcycles during World War I.

1927 Indian Ace 4

This motorcycle was on display in the Northwest Vintage Car and Motorcycle Museum in Brooks, Oregon.

The name Indian Ace was used for only one year. According to the display:

“The Henderson Brothers produced a 4 cylinder motorcycle under the Henderson Motorcycle Company until 1917 when the company was sold to Ignaz Schwinn’s Excelsior Motor Manufacturing & Supply Co. William Henderson left in 1919 to form the Ace Motorcycle Co. but was killed while test riding one of his prototypes in 1922. The Indian Motorcycle Co. bought Ace in 1927 and produced their first 4 cylinder motorcycle under the Indian-Ace brand.”

1937 Indian Scout

This motorcycle was displayed in the LeMay—America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington as a part of the 2024 Master Collector exhibit.

The Indian Scout was produced from 1919 to 1949 in several models. The Sport Scout, produced from 1934 to 1942, featured a 750 cc engine and a lighter frame. It has a top speed of 128 mph.

1938 Indian Four

This motorcycle was displayed in the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum (WAAAM) in Hood River, Oregon.

1941 Indian 841

This is a shaft-drive motorcycle designed for desert warfare. It was inspired by the BMW R71. Just 1,056 were produced. It sold new to the Army for $350. This motorcycle was display in the LeMay Family Collection in Tacoma, Washington.

1942 Indian Four

This motorcycle was displayed in the LeMay—America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington as a part of the 2024 Master Collector exhibit.

The Indian Four, known as the “Duesenberg of Motorcycles”, was produced from 1928 to 1942. According to the Museum:

“Indian purchased the design of the Four from Acfe Motor Company in 1927, and continued to improve upon the chassis until it was discontinued in 1942, when factory production changed over to supporting the war effort.”

The Indian Four has a 40 HP, 1262 cc, 4-stroke inline 4-cylinder engine.

1947 Indian Chief

This motorcycle was displayed in the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum (WAAAM) in Hood River, Oregon.

More museums

Museums 201/301 compares similar exhibits from several museums.

Museums 201: Some unusual motorcycles (photo diary)

Museums 201: American Motorcycles (Photo Diary)

Museums 201: British Motorcycles (Photo Diary)

Museums 201: Packard automobiles of the 1940s (photo diary)

Museums 201: Cadillac automobiles of the 1940s (photo diary)

Museums 301: Corvettes (photo diary)

Museums 201: Oldsmobile automobiles (photo diary)

Museums 201: German Automobiles (Photo Diary)

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