History Of Indian Motorcycle Company
Indian Motorcycle made motors have been popular since World War II when Indian Motorcycle was manufacturing 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 all, 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 admirers 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 delighted its admirers to no end.
Perhaps to please Scout devotees, from 1932 until 1941, smaller Scouts were built. They were known as the Scout Pony, the Junior Scout, and the Thirty-Fifty, all of which had 30.50 cubic inch engines.
In the early decades of the 20th century, the Indian Motorcycle Company and Harley Davidson were the two choices for the classic American heavyweight cruiser. The two companies were ferocious opponents, 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.
To give an illustration of speed Burt Munro, a New Zealander and a motorcycle racer set a record in land speed under-1000cc between 1962 and 1967 with his 47 year old 1920 modified Indian Scout motor cycle. At the time he himself was 68 years old and nobody has been able to beat this record till today. This shows the speed and toughness of Indian Scout motor cycle. There were other achievements too and everything taken together was made into a movie in 2005 called The World's Fastest Indian.
In 1935, controlling interest in Indian Motorcycles was sold, and production of all Indian Scout motorcycle models stopped in 1946. Over the decades, the company changed hands, going bankrupt in 1977. Disputes over ownership of the brand name played out in court throughout the 1980s and 90s.
IMCOA Licensing America won the battle of ownership and Federal court in Denver awarded the trademark in their support. The Indian Motorcycle Company of America was reformed with nine companies as conglomerate. The production of Scout motor cycle began in 1999 and motorcycles of Scout model was being produced between 2001 and2003 when the company again went bankrupt.
In 2006, the company re-formed and set up shop in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. Though the Chief model is being reconstructed, the Indian Scout motorcycle is no longer made.
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 admirers 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 delighted its admirers to no end.
Perhaps to please Scout devotees, from 1932 until 1941, smaller Scouts were built. They were known as the Scout Pony, the Junior Scout, and the Thirty-Fifty, all of which had 30.50 cubic inch engines.
In the early decades of the 20th century, the Indian Motorcycle Company and Harley Davidson were the two choices for the classic American heavyweight cruiser. The two companies were ferocious opponents, 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.
To give an illustration of speed Burt Munro, a New Zealander and a motorcycle racer set a record in land speed under-1000cc between 1962 and 1967 with his 47 year old 1920 modified Indian Scout motor cycle. At the time he himself was 68 years old and nobody has been able to beat this record till today. This shows the speed and toughness of Indian Scout motor cycle. There were other achievements too and everything taken together was made into a movie in 2005 called The World's Fastest Indian.
In 1935, controlling interest in Indian Motorcycles was sold, and production of all Indian Scout motorcycle models stopped in 1946. Over the decades, the company changed hands, going bankrupt in 1977. Disputes over ownership of the brand name played out in court throughout the 1980s and 90s.
IMCOA Licensing America won the battle of ownership and Federal court in Denver awarded the trademark in their support. The Indian Motorcycle Company of America was reformed with nine companies as conglomerate. The production of Scout motor cycle began in 1999 and motorcycles of Scout model was being produced between 2001 and2003 when the company again went bankrupt.
In 2006, the company re-formed and set up shop in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. Though the Chief model is being reconstructed, the Indian Scout motorcycle is no longer made.
About the Author:
The Indian scout motorcycle was a pioneer of it's times. If you are a true Indian fan you'll be interested in reading this page on Indian motorbike accessories.