Indian Motorcycle made motors have been popular since World War II when Indian Motorcycle was developing engines for aircraft and motor for boats, air conditioners and bicycles. The most prominent was Indian Scout motorcycle which was introduced in 1920 and was in use till 1939 when it was used by everybody, from police to motorcycle racer. Out of all the Scout motorcycle the most admired one was 1928 101 Scout with low structure and better handling.
Indian Scout motorcycle went through some changes since its introduction in 1920. While it was introduced with an engine size of 37 cubic inch (596 cc) by 1927 it was increased to 45 cubic inches (745 cc). This came as a response to the American built motorcycle Excelsior Super X, which had a 45 cubic inch engine.
When 101 Scout was introduced in 1928 the Indian Motorcycle fans felt that it was the ultimate in Indian Motorcycle technology. However Scout started using the body of another Indian's famous model called Chief in 1931 which pleased its admirers to no end.
Between 1932 and 1941 the Scout fans saw a succession of smaller Scout motorcycles which may have been done to satisfy its supporters. These motorcycles had small engines of only 30.50 cubic inch and were called Scout Pony, the Junior Scout, and the Thirty-Fifty.
In the early decades of the 20th century, the Indian Motorcycle Company and Harley Davidson were the two alternatives for the traditional American heavyweight cruiser. The two companies were ferocious rivals, and this rivalry is chronicled in the book called The Harley-Davidson and Indian Wars by Allan Girdler. While the Scout was a runaway bestseller, Harley-Davidson proved to be a very formidable opponent.
One testimony to the speed and ruggedness of the 1920 Indian Scout motorcycle was racer Burt Munro's use of a modified 1920 Scout to set land speed records between 1962 and 1967. Munro's under-1000 cc world speed record in 1967 still stands. At the time, Munro, a New Zealander, was 68 years old and was riding a motorcycle that was 47 years old. This and other achievements were dramatized in 2005 in the movie The World's Fastest Indian.
The company Indian Motorcycles faced a series of trouble and was ultimately declared bankrupt in 1977. In 1935 controlling interest of Indian Motorcycles was sold and by 1946 it stopped manufacturing any motorcycle. After that till 1977 it changed hands several times. Through out 1980s and1990s the company was fighting court battles over the ownership of the brand name.
Finally, in December 1998, the claim was established in Federal court in Denver. IMCOA Licensing America, Inc. was given the trademark, and the Indian Motorcycle Company of America was shaped as a corporation of nine companies. Production began again in 1999, and Scout models were manufactured from 2001 to 2003, until the company went bankrupt again.
In 2006 Indian Motorcycle was set up again in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. They started manufacturing the Chief model but Scout brand was not being produced anymore. - 31404
Indian Scout motorcycle went through some changes since its introduction in 1920. While it was introduced with an engine size of 37 cubic inch (596 cc) by 1927 it was increased to 45 cubic inches (745 cc). This came as a response to the American built motorcycle Excelsior Super X, which had a 45 cubic inch engine.
When 101 Scout was introduced in 1928 the Indian Motorcycle fans felt that it was the ultimate in Indian Motorcycle technology. However Scout started using the body of another Indian's famous model called Chief in 1931 which pleased its admirers to no end.
Between 1932 and 1941 the Scout fans saw a succession of smaller Scout motorcycles which may have been done to satisfy its supporters. These motorcycles had small engines of only 30.50 cubic inch and were called Scout Pony, the Junior Scout, and the Thirty-Fifty.
In the early decades of the 20th century, the Indian Motorcycle Company and Harley Davidson were the two alternatives for the traditional American heavyweight cruiser. The two companies were ferocious rivals, and this rivalry is chronicled in the book called The Harley-Davidson and Indian Wars by Allan Girdler. While the Scout was a runaway bestseller, Harley-Davidson proved to be a very formidable opponent.
One testimony to the speed and ruggedness of the 1920 Indian Scout motorcycle was racer Burt Munro's use of a modified 1920 Scout to set land speed records between 1962 and 1967. Munro's under-1000 cc world speed record in 1967 still stands. At the time, Munro, a New Zealander, was 68 years old and was riding a motorcycle that was 47 years old. This and other achievements were dramatized in 2005 in the movie The World's Fastest Indian.
The company Indian Motorcycles faced a series of trouble and was ultimately declared bankrupt in 1977. In 1935 controlling interest of Indian Motorcycles was sold and by 1946 it stopped manufacturing any motorcycle. After that till 1977 it changed hands several times. Through out 1980s and1990s the company was fighting court battles over the ownership of the brand name.
Finally, in December 1998, the claim was established in Federal court in Denver. IMCOA Licensing America, Inc. was given the trademark, and the Indian Motorcycle Company of America was shaped as a corporation of nine companies. Production began again in 1999, and Scout models were manufactured from 2001 to 2003, until the company went bankrupt again.
In 2006 Indian Motorcycle was set up again in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. They started manufacturing the Chief model but Scout brand was not being produced anymore. - 31404
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The Indian scout motorcycle has been a favorite with fans for decades. If you would like to know more about the 1947 Indian motorcycle click on the preceding links.
