Beschreibung:

Oscar Hedstrom and Oliver Hendee, prominent figures in the cycle racing world, ventured into the infant North American motorcycle industry as early as 1901. From the outset they were pioneers, adopting chain drive for their Indian motorcycles when most of their competitors used belt drive. The single cylinder, F-head engine of their 1901 prototype formed part of the frame and, unlike other contemporary machines, the Indian engine sloped rearwards rather than forwards, acting also as the seat tube support. The Indian found instant appeal and by 1905 had a strong following. In that year the company introduced leaf spring front forks and twistgrip throttle and ignition controls. The real landmark year for Indian was 1907 when the company introduced the first of its mighty V-twins, the rear cylinder of the early models continuing to form part of the frame until 1909. In that year the loop frame was adopted and continued development and innovation saw the development of the overhead valve, four-valves-per-cylinder racers in 1911. The mighty engine of the Big Twin drove through a three-speed, hand-change gearbox with foot-operated clutch and all-chain drive. The side-valve engine proved utterly reliable and almost unbreakable, even in the hands of the tuning shops which developed it to its limit to achieve that extra ounce of power. This 1912 machine is finished in traditional Indian red livery and generously equipped with a Hawthorne gas headlamp, Fidelity gas rear lamp and a Prestolite gas generator mounted on the handlebars. Suspension is provided by leaf springs front and rear, fuel is fed through a Schebler carburettor and sparks provided by a Bosch magneto. A ‘curly’ horn provides audible warning of approach. Fittings throughout are nickel-plated. We watched this splendid machine make its dramatic arrival at Madeira Drive at the end of the 2009 Sunbeam MCC Pioneer Run. The dating of this machine has been verified by the Sunbeam Motor Cycle Club in February 2008, Register no.1793 being allocated. This powerful American V-twin comes with a Swansea V5C registration document.