General Information

Serial #

11198

Part Number

1

Total Parts

1

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

METAL(IRON, STEEL, BRASS, ALUMINUM) FRAME & PARTS/ LEATHER MUDGUARDS, SADDLE/ RUBBER TIRES, HANDLE GRIPS/ FABRIC WIRE COVERING

Dimensions

Note: These reflect the general size for storage and are not necessarily representative of the object's true dimensions.

Length

199.0 cm

Width

61.0 cm

Height

103.0 cm

Thickness

N/A

Weight

N/A

Diameter

N/A

Volume

N/A

Lexicon

Group

Motorized Ground Transportation

Category

Motorcycle vehicles

Sub-Category

N/A

Manufacturer

AKA

Indian

Country

United States of America

State/Province

Massachusetts

City

Springfield

Context

Country

United States of America

State/Province

Unknown

Period

1907+

Canada

ALTHOUGH THIS PARTICULAR MOTORCYCLE WAS PROBABLY NEVER USED IN CANADA, INDIAN MOTORCYCLES WERE AMONGST THE MOST POPULAR COMMONLY USED MAKES IN THAT ERA IN CANADA. Oscar Hedstrom built a motorized two-wheeler in 1899, and George Hendee, bicycle maker and former cycle racer, saw the potential in this machine. Together they developed a motorcycle suitable for mass production, and manufacture of the "Indian" motorcycle began (1904). From the outset, quality was high and design was both sound and sophisticated. (Huge Wilson, ``The Ultimate Motorcycle Book``, 34.)

Function

GENERAL TRASPORTATION

Technical

EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF WELL MADE MOTORCYCLE OF PERIOD IN ORIGINAL CONDITION. IT HAS CHAIN DRIVE RATHER THAN BELT DRIVE USUAL TO PERIOD,HEDSTROM 'AUTOMATIC COMPENSATING CARBURETER', HANDLEBAR TWIST GRIP CONTROLS TO OPERATE SPARK & THROTTLE THROUGH SYSTEM OF RODS & UNIVERSAL JOINTS PIONEERED ON INDIAN MOTORCYCLE IN 1905. The 1904 Single engine design featured inlet-over-exhaust valve gear (also known as F-head). The flywheels were of open or webbed construction, the outer rim of each flywheel encircling a beam that was drilled for shaft and mainshaft installation. Lubrication was through a total-loss system. Oil was pumped to the engine but not returned to the oil tank, all oil being consumed by the motor. The electrical system was also total loss; in other words that was no generator. Instead, dry-cell batteries provided enough power for 800 to 2,000 miles of riding. The front fork was rigid, the power was transmitted from the engine shaft by a short chain to the underslung drive sproket, and the control system featured two small hand levers. Twistgrip spark control was featured and Indian bragged that they were the first with this control, but the 1904 Curtiss also had such a technology. The Indian system consisted of rods, bell-cranks and universal joints, a unique concept that was supposed to be troublefree but proved otherwise. When the handlebars were turned to the extreme right or left the sliding joints would sometimes fall out, or bind so that an attempt to return the handlebars towards the center would result in bending the telescoping tubes.The steering-head-mounted lever was retained, but now served to control the throttle. The cushion fork was introduced in 1905, and consisted of pivoted lower fork blades acting on a horizontally mounted spring. Detail changes to the motorcycle were made from 1905 to 1907, including a variety of saddles tailored to the weight of the ride, and additional color options. Power grew to 2 3/4 hp, tires to 2 in. and weight to 115 lb., while several kinds of commercial and pleasure three-wheelers were offered. (Hatfield. "Indian Motorcycle Buyer's Guide", 15-16) Hendee Manufacturing Company's 'Advance Courier on Indian Motocycles 1907' promoted the following five features: "1) A double rear mud guard brace has been provided which thoroughly supports rear mud guard and gasolene tank and adds to beauty of machine. 2) Chain adjusting screw and reversible washer gives ample adjustment for long chains. the adjusting screw is slotted for screw driver, which will add to the convenience of adjusting chains. 3) Clip attachment for battery coil wire adds greatly to the convenience of attaching and detaching. 4) Saddle post lug construction does away with the bothersome frame expander, and allows the use of regular saddle post with internal expander. 5) Cast iron cylinders: The return of cast iron cylinders will be hailed with pleasure by most of our Agents. It has always been our contention that cast iron is far the best material for cylinder construction, as they wear better and do not go out of shape nearly as much under heat as any other metal. The cost of producing cast iron cylinders is much more, however, owing to the loss through imperfect castings during manufacture, and which have to be thrown out." (L07614)

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

PLATE ON FRONT POST READING 'HENDEE MFG. CO./ Indian/ SPRINGFIELD, MASS./U.S.A.'/ WHITE LETTERING OUTLINED IN RED READING 'INDIAN/ HENDEE MFG. CO./ Springfield, Mass.' ON EITHER SIDE OF REAR CASING/ WHITE 'HEDSTROM MOTOR/ HENDEE MFG. CO. SPRINGFIELD. MASS.' & INCISED '11198' ON MOTOR? CASING/ CAST ON CARBURETER 'HEDSTROM IMPROVED CARBURETER/ HENDEE MFG. CO./ SPRINGFIELD/ MASS. U.S.A./ PAT. APP. FOR'/ 'BROOKS' IN RAISED METAL LETTERING ON SADDLE BACK/ SADDLE STAMPED 'PATENTED IN USA/ BROOKS PATENT/ B100/ SIZE 4/ J.B. BROOKS& CO.'/ TOOL BOX STAMPED 'INDIAN'

Missing

BATTERY BOX

Finish

BLACK ENAMEL PAINTED FRAME, PARTS/ CHROME PLATED HANDLEBARS, RIMS, PARTS/ BLACK TIRES, HANDLE GRIPS/ BLACK SADDLE, TOOL BAG

Decoration

N/A