Indian

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1904 Indian Single. The 264cc single-cylinder engine replaced the seat tube, forming a stressed member of the frame. The humped rear fender held gas and oil.
This 1905 model was called a camelback, due to the shape and location of the gas tank. These motorcycles were extremely well constructed and often over engineered. Colors available in '05 were Indian red, blue, black, and green. These early Indians were really the first motorcycles to be mass produced in large numbers.
1907 Indian Twin
1908 Indian Racer
1909 Indian Light Twin
1914 Indian V Twin
1915 Indian Big Twin
1919 Indian
1920 Indian Boardracer
1923 Indian Big Chief
1925 Indian Prince

Indian was a leader in early motorcycle design, registering many patents on components still used today.

VIN List

The Indian VIN List is an attempt to help people identify the make and model of their Indian - it will cover all models, all manufacturers.

Manufacturers

The "Indian" brand has been held by no less than eight companies since 1901. Although most people think of the Springfield Indian motorcycles built between 1901 and 1953 when someone says "Indian" (namely, the Indian Chief and Indian Scout), many forms of vehicle have been placed under the "Indian" brand - including Go-Karts, mopeds, and dirt bikes!

1901-1953: The Indian Motorcycle Manufacturing Company of Springfield, Massachusetts

The original Indian first appeared in 1901, predating Harley-Davidson by two years. Noted for the Indian Chief and Indian Scout motorcycles, powered by the distinctive Indian V-Twin engine.

1954-1962: English Brockhouse Corporation

British owned distributorship selling imported Royal Enfield cycles painted and labeled as Indians.

  • Apache
  • Chief (1959-1961)
  • Fire Arrow
  • Hounds Arrow
  • Lance
  • Tomahawk
  • Trailblazer
  • Westerner
  • Woodsman

1960s: Pierce Reconstructed Indians

Californian Sammy Pierce custom assembled "Indians" using factory Indian components but with custom frames. Only about 50 were ever made, and most of these have been re-cannibalized for restoration work on pre 1953 Indians.

1968-1970: The Clymer Indians

Floyd Clymer imported mini cycles and larger models (few were sold, and were mixtures of various brands of engines/frames/etc).


1972-1977: Newman Indians

Floyd Clymer died in January 1970, and his lawyer, Alan Newman, acquired the Indian brand. Alan Newman Indian Motorcycle Company.

Greatest success since the original Indian company, minicycle and lightweight maker/importer. Aspired to bigger cycles but never to be. Company went into bankruptcy Jan 1977.

1977-1982: American Moped Associates

Imported Chinese/Taiwanese 4 stroke moped labeled as Indian Four Ami Chief 50 and Ami 50.Sold to Carmen DeLeone in 1982.

1982-1984: DeLeone/Derbi GoKarts

DeLeone/Derbi bought the moped line and name, sold off the moped supply, and relabeled Manco go-carts as new 4-stroke Indians.

1982-1999: The Non-Existant Revival

1980s thru 1990s Indian branded jackets,shirts and other wearables supposedly would help finance a new Indian cycle.


See Also