1911 Indian Single

FROM THE DICK SHAPPY COLLECTION: The 1911 Indian 4 HP Single

In 1897, George M. Hendee, an accomplished bicycle racer from Massachusetts, founded the Hendee Manufacturing Company to produce bikes. They were initially branded Silver King and Silver Queen until the name American Indian was adopted and then shortened to Indian in 1898. In 1900, Hendee teamed up with Oscar Hedstrom from Sweden to develop single-cylinder motorcycle prototypes in Middletown, CT. Together, they opened the first factory in Springfield, MA in 1901 to create the first American motorcycle company where they would be produced until 1953. They hired the Aurora Automatic Machinery Company to manufacture their engines in 1901, which they did under license until 1907 when they would go on to produce Thor motorcycles.

The first Indian motorcycles with chain drives were sold to the public in 1902 and the pair would go on to produce powerful and reliable vehicles. Hedstrom, a successful racer, broke a new world speed record of 56 mph in 1903 in the companys first reliability trial and won an endurance race from NYC to Springfield and back. 1904 would bring the introduction of the signature deep red color and 1905, Indians first V-twin factory racer. Their reliability and ingenuity would make them the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world by 1910, taking the first three places at the 1911 Isle of Man.

In 1913, Indian began supplying the U.S. Army and turned the majority of their production efforts from 1917 to 1919 to World War I, most models being based on the PowerPlus. In 1914, Erwin Cannon Ball Baker set a record riding from San Diego to the East Coast on a PowerPlus. He would go on to ride a 1916 61ci (1000cc) 42-degree v-twin PowerPlus, which became a highly successful roadster and racing bike, remaining in production with few changes until 1924. In 1923, the company changed its name to the Indian Motocycle Company without an r in motorcycle and Indian would continue making its mark, including the first Daytona 200 in 1937 with a Sport Scout. Indian turned yet again to war production from 1940 to 1945 during WWII and has underwent many changes in name in location since - from North Carolina, to Minnesota and Iowa, it is now owned and produced by Polaris Industries. Indian motorcycles are still widely known and purchased not just for their rich history and classic American style, but for their modern technology, craftsmanship, powerful engines, their comfortable touring models and cruisers, and their distinctive sound.

Preserved in remarkable original, unrestored condition.
Accessories include front-wheel-drive speedometer, acetylene-powered headlight and taillight, manual Indian horn, accessory air pump, rare saddlebag, toolbox, very rare exhaust air horn, etc.
Most importantly, this motorcycle is in full operation and running condition.
HP: 4
ENGINE: 30.5 cu. in. Single-Cylinder Pocket-Valve Hedstrom-Type
ENGINE NO: 42C491
IGNITION: Bosch Magneto NO. 690109 Type DA2
CARBURETOR: Hedstrom
TRANSMISSION: Single-Speed Countershaft with Chain-Drive
START: Pedal Start
FRAME: Rigid
FORKS: Leaf-Spring Trailing Link
WHEELBASE: 53.5 in.
FEATURES: Indian Motorcycles Flag, Double Twist Horn
TOOLBOX: The Persons Manufacturing Co. from Worcester, MA
GAS TANK: Prest-O-Lite Tank No. 341037 Style MO
SPEEDOMETER: Jones from NY
HEADLAMP: Solar from Badger Brass Mfg. Co.
BRAKES: The Corbin Screw Corporation, New Britain, CT

This motorcycle has been in our possession for over nine years and has only been displayed and never fired up. Our mechanic, Ben, added fuel to the tank and checked the oil level and he was surprised to see the bike start on the first kick. And off he went... For the rest of the day, he started the bike at least ten times and was continually astonished that this early pristine relic started on the first kick every time! See video at DSClassics.com (16 seconds).


"1911 Indian 4 HP Single" From RM Sotheby's:

"With the days of the motorized bicycle behind them, Indian took the lead in the American motorcycle industry, producing rugged, powerful, and reliable machines for a network of thousands of dealers both at home and abroad. In the early 1910s, Indian ramped up production more than threefold, eventually producing 30,000 machines in 1913. The company planned to further expand its operations with numerous additions at its Springfield, Massachusetts, factory. Racing victories, including a sweep of the first three places at the Isle of Man Senior TT in 1911, helped propel the company into the mainstream, and increased advertising aided in making Indian a household name.

The lineup for the 1911 model year saw several improvements over that of the previous year. The 19-cubic-inch Singles were discontinued due to the desire for more power, and a heavier clutch, which is operated by the standard lever on the left side of the tank, was designed for all of the chain-drive models.

This 1911 Indian Single is preserved in remarkable, unrestored, original condition. It features Indians reliable four-horsepower, single-cylinder engine with the original magneto ignition and Hedstrom carburetor. A single-speed countershaft transfers power from the motor to the rear wheel via front and rear drive chains. The machine still retains its original red paint and countless accessories, including the original front-wheel-drive speedometer, an acetylene-powered headlight and taillight, a manual Indian horn, an accessory air pump, a leather tool bag with the original tool kit, extremely rare leather saddlebags, and an original Indian flag, which mounts to the handlebars. Importantly, the Indian is in fully operational running condition.

Few examples of early-teens Indians still in running condition exist today. Perhaps none are more complete and original than that which is presented here."