Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Scouts Old and New



I know I sound like an old curmudgeon, but the new Scout isn't working for me !  When Indian was bought by Polaris I figured they would be a success but I thought the design department would come a bit closer.  If you took the name off the tank no one would think Indian.  Anyway just my opinion but I was disappointed as I planned on buying one. 

Back In The Day


He looks pretty happy, not so much his lady friend.  Kind of like today !

Charles B. Franklin



Charles franklin was the man who modernized the Indian with the creation of the Scout. He designed a motorcycle that was reliable with its flathead engine and handled well.  At the time he didn't get the credit he deserved because of politics within the Indian Moto-Cycle Company.   The excerpt below is from Motorcycle Classics.

A tuner/developer and a factory engineer, Charles B. Franklin was also the first great Irish motorcycle racer. He competed in the Isle of Man TT seven times between 1908 and 1914, placing second in 1911, his best finish. On a single day at Brooklands in 1912, Franklin set world records for two, four, five and six hours, and became the first man to ride 300 miles in less than 300 minutes.

English motorcycle historian Peter Hartley reported that Franklin discovered the so-called squish principle in 1914, as he reshaped the combustion chambers of an inlet-over-exhaust Indian F-head racing twin. The idea was to reduce the combustion chamber volume above the piston to near-zero, starting from the remote side and extending to the piston center, then to incline the chamber “roof” upward as it extended into the side “pocket” where the overhead inlet valve and upside-down exhaust valve were situated; combustion actually started here. This was about five years before England’s Harry Ricardo patented the principle following his research into side-valve engines during WWI. In 1914, Franklin’s racing acclaim and proven engineering experience were factors in his appointment as manager of Indian’s Dublin distributorship.

In 1916, Charles B. Franklin joined the engineering staff of Indian Motocycle in Springfield, Mass. Franklin became the chief engineer at Indian, designing the immortal Indian Scout, which debuted as a 1920 model. On the racing front, Franklin continued to show his mastery of engine preparation, and by 1926 his racing side-valve Indians were running faster than either the Harley-Davidson or Indian eight-valve overheads.

When a 750cc (45ci) version of the Scout was introduced as a 1927 model, it exceeded expectations. Although 25 percent larger than the 600cc Scout that preceded it, the 45 produced in excess of 25 percent more torque and horsepower. The Scout 45 simply breathed better than the smaller version, and adept dealers were able to make their 45s faster than the hottest local Harley 74.

Franklin’s greatest creation was the 1928-1931 Series 101 Scout. Their increased wheelbase and lower saddle mounting gave the 101s remarkable stability and agility.
Unfortunately, Franklin became seriously ill in late 1931. The authors of the Franklin biography make no claim regarding Franklin’s degree of involvement with the 1932 Scout Pony 500cc twin and the derivative 1933 Motoplane 750cc twin. But it seems likely that Franklin established the general layout in which the engine/transmission was a stressed member in what Indian called the “keystone” frame and what the British called a “diamond” frame. The choice of this very un-Indian layout remains a mystery, as Charles B. Franklin died in October 1932, having never discussed Indian engineering matters with outsiders. He was a private man and may not have publicly commented on any Indian engineering matters even had he lived much longer.

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Indian Sport Scouts


Indian Sport Scouts are often over shadowed by their brethren the Chief, but are very cool little machines.  I always thought they were under rated because of their size.  They are capable of pretty decent speed (120 mph in race trim) and handle well.

I intend to write more about them, perhaps from their start as the 1920 Scout created by Charles Franklin, up through the Big Base 648 racing Scout.  As Paul Harvey said ..."stand by for news" !

Monday, February 23, 2015

Vintage Race Car


This car was built by Rudy Serar and the pictures don't do it justice.  It has a hand built aluminum body with a flathead 8 cylinder engine.  Truly an amazing machine !!

My 1940 Indian Sport Scout

I purchased this 1940 Scout from Rudy Serar who built it about 9 years ago.  The craftsmanship is 2nd to none !  Rudy is a vintage race car builder who has cars that will truly blow your mind...they are perfect as is this Indian.
I 1st saw this bike years ago at Indian Days West and at that time it wasn't for sale..who knew I would own it one day !

 
2015 In my garage


2011 At Indian Days West
 



1947 Harley Davidson Side Car Project For Sale S.O.A.





Selling a 1947 Harley Davidson Sidecar project, it's a bit rough but is the real deal.  I have a new set of sidecar attachment hard ware if you don't beat me up on the price.
The frame came from the Creator and Director of Sons of Anarchy, John Liston
Asking $2500
Call Tim @951-992-9839

1946 Harley Davidson E For Sale

 I purchased this bike a couple of weeks ago with the intention of keeping it, however, I have decided to sell it.  It's a nice bike but is made up of mostly reproduction parts including the frame, forks and tins.  The engine is original and was stroked to 80" by Joe Coursey
 
SOLD