Indian Racer 1908, Estados Unidos

Indian Racer 1908, Estados Unidos
Fotografia

By 1908, the Hendee Manufacturing Co. was building 3,000-plus motorcycles per year, with around 15,000 built since 1901. The Indian brand had established its name in racing and record-breaking since its very first competition in 1902, when company director and veteran bicycle racer George Hendee won the Boston-New York race on a machine of his own manufacture. Hendee repeated the victory in 1903, which partly reflects his experience as an 1880s bicycle champion, with a record of 302 wins from 309 starts on dangerous “high-wheelers.” He retired in 1886, and turned his attention to building the new “safety” bicycle design with equal-sized wheels front and rear. Combined with John Boyd Dunlop’s invention of the inflatable rubber tire in 1887, the safety bicycle was on the cusp of transforming the two-wheeled world. While the “boneshaker” bicycle was the natural testbed of the first motorcycles from 1867 onwards, the safety bicycle provided a far more stable platform to carry an engine. Hendee made his famous handshake with Oscar Hedstrom in 1900 to build motorized bicycles as pacers for pedal-racing; but, once they became reliable, it became apparent that pacers were pretty exciting too, and “demonstration” races were held between pacers as entertainment during amazingly popular bicycle races. Thus, even in its prototype stage, the Hedstrom/Hendee “motocycle” had competition in its blood. Bicycle heritage also showed itself in Indian’s adoption of all-chain drive on almost all models. By 1905, specialized Indian racing machines that were visibly different from the catalog offering appeared, including a new V-twin engine, which was first offered to the public in racing form by 1908. That first 60.32 CI engine retained the “automatic” inlet valve and mechanical exhaust of the singles, although this “monkey on a stick” twin racer was advertised as capable of 65 MPH “according to gear,” with a single Corbin coaster-brake on the rear wheel—racing was always for the brave. Other specifications included Hedstrom mica spark plugs, an English Brooks racing saddle (the B-100 or B-100-4 for “heavy riders”), and an all-up weight of 120 pounds. Colors available were Indian Royal Blue (the standard), with options of black or Indian Red. The magnificent twin-cylinder Indian racer could be yours for $360. The E.J. Cole “monkey on a stick” 1908 Indian Twin-Cylinder Racer was purchased from Dick Ollhoff, and retains its original parts, while remaining in unrestored condition.