The year 1911 is notable in motorcycling history as teaching the British industry a salutary lesson, for that was the year American-made Indian machines filled the first three places in the Isle of Man Senior TT. The latter was being held over the Mountain Circuit for the first time, a factor that enabled the Indians, with their chain drive and countershaft gearboxes, to demonstrate a clear superiority over the predominantly belt-driven opposition. An advanced feature in motorcycling's early pioneering days, chain drive was used by Indian right from the start, when Oscar Hedstrom and Oliver Hendee, both active in the cycle racing world, got together to build their first prototype in 1901. That first machine was powered by a single-cylinder ‘F-head’ engine that formed part of the frame - in the Indian's case it sloped rearwards to act as the seat tube. The Indian single proved immensely successful and was produced substantially unchanged until 1905, when a leaf-sprung front fork and twist-grip control of throttle and ignition were introduced. Nowadays Indian is remembered mainly for its powerful, large-capacity v-twins, the first of which appeared in 1907. The twin's rear cylinder continued to form part of the frame until 1909 when Indian adopted a loop frame of the type favoured by rivals Harley-Davidson. In 1911 Indian broke new ground yet again with their ohv four-valves-per-cylinder racers, and then in 1916 a new 61cu in (990cc) ‘flat head’ (sidevalve) v-twin - the Powerplus - was introduced to replace the F-head type. The Powerplus transmission consisted of a three-speed, hand-change gearbox and foot-operated clutch with all-chain drive. An immensely influential design, the Powerplus confirmed Indian's commitment to sidevalve engines, encouraging rivals Harley-Davidson to follow suit. The model was listed until 1924, but by then was playing second fiddle to the newer Chief. The vendor purchased this magnificent Powerplus at an auction in the USA circa 2003, at which time it was described as an ‘older restoration’. Since then the machine has formed part of its owner’s private collection and been kept on display indoors. We are advised that import duties have been paid.
The year 1911 is notable in motorcycling history as teaching the British industry a salutary lesson, for that was the year American-made Indian machines filled the first three places in the Isle of Man Senior TT. The latter was being held over the Mountain Circuit for the first time, a factor that enabled the Indians, with their chain drive and countershaft gearboxes, to demonstrate a clear superiority over the predominantly belt-driven opposition. An advanced feature in motorcycling's early pioneering days, chain drive was used by Indian right from the start, when Oscar Hedstrom and Oliver Hendee, both active in the cycle racing world, got together to build their first prototype in 1901. That first machine was powered by a single-cylinder ‘F-head’ engine that formed part of the frame - in the Indian's case it sloped rearwards to act as the seat tube. The Indian single proved immensely successful and was produced substantially unchanged until 1905, when a leaf-sprung front fork and twist-grip control of throttle and ignition were introduced. Nowadays Indian is remembered mainly for its powerful, large-capacity v-twins, the first of which appeared in 1907. The twin's rear cylinder continued to form part of the frame until 1909 when Indian adopted a loop frame of the type favoured by rivals Harley-Davidson. In 1911 Indian broke new ground yet again with their ohv four-valves-per-cylinder racers, and then in 1916 a new 61cu in (990cc) ‘flat head’ (sidevalve) v-twin - the Powerplus - was introduced to replace the F-head type. The Powerplus transmission consisted of a three-speed, hand-change gearbox and foot-operated clutch with all-chain drive. An immensely influential design, the Powerplus confirmed Indian's commitment to sidevalve engines, encouraging rivals Harley-Davidson to follow suit. The model was listed until 1924, but by then was playing second fiddle to the newer Chief. The vendor purchased this magnificent Powerplus at an auction in the USA circa 2003, at which time it was described as an ‘older restoration’. Since then the machine has formed part of its owner’s private collection and been kept on display indoors. We are advised that import duties have been paid.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
