The World’s Rare Motorcycles

 

This article features two rare yet very well known vintage motorcycles.

Indian Motorcycles go as far back as 1901. This was the time that people like Henry Ford and Ransom E. Olds were trying to perfect their automobiles. The company was first named the Hendee Manufacturing Company but was renamed the Indian Motorcycle Manufacturing Company in 1928. The Hendee Manufacturing Company actually manufactured bicycles back in 1897.

Just like the early automakers racing competition was important and Indian Motorcycles were no different. During 1905 Indian built it’s first racing motorcycle called the V-twin. A few years later in 1907 the company produced it’s first V-twin street motorcycle. They also built a roadster the same year. The roadster design was based on the V-twin racer.

Racing competition was quite helpful for Indian since it spurred several innovations. The Indian Motorcycles had great racing success in 1911 when they finished first, second and third in the Isle of Man TT competition. Just as with automobiles, racing success led to sales success.

More innovations came to Indian Motorcycles during the latter half of the second decade of the 20th century. This was when the company introduced the Model K Featherweight. The onset of World War One meant two things. Indian Motorcycles received a handsome federal government contract but at the same time the supply available for civilian sales dwindled. This also led to a loss of some dealerships which caused problems after the war.

The Indian Motorcycle featured here is a 1936 Chief model. The 1936 Indian’s were the product of a lot of testing. The results were impressive. In 1936, Indian came out with entirely new pistons. Better piston efficiency came with the the silent, cam-ground, T-slot, Indian. Along with this came new piston rings that that offered even friction.

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