During 1920 Indian Motorcycle came out with a superb motorcycle which was called Indian Scout motorcycle and was used by everyone from police to motorcycle racer. This motorcycle which was in use till 1939 had a low body and better handling. India was also producing engines for aircraft and motors for boats, air conditioner and cycles throughout World War II.
The Indian Scout was introduced in 1920. It had a 37 cubic inch (596 cc) engine that increased in size to 45 cubic inches (745 cc) in 1927. That increase in engine size was an answer to the popular Excelsior Super X, which was the first American 45 cubic inch motorcycle.
A second response was the 1928 introduction of the 101 Scout, which some fans believe to be the height of Indian Motorcycle technology. There remain, however, enthusiasts who are pleased with Indian's use of the frame from its other superstar model, the Chief, in the Scout line starting in 1931.
Perhaps to placate Scout devotees, from 1932 until 1941, smaller Scouts were built. They were known as the Scout Pony, the Junior Scout, and the Thirty-Fifty, all of which had 30.50 cubic inch engines.
In the early decades of the 20th century, the Indian Motorcycle Company and Harley Davidson were the two choices for the traditional American heavyweight cruiser. The two companies were ferocious rivals, and this rivalry is chronicled in the book called The Harley-Davidson and Indian Wars by Allan Girdler. While the Scout was a runaway bestseller, Harley-Davidson proved to be a very formidable opponent.
To give an illustration of speed Burt Munro, a New Zealander and a motorcycle racer set a record in land speed under-1000cc between 1962 and 1967 with his 47 year old 1920 modified Indian Scout motor cycle. At the time he himself was 68 years old and nobody has been able to beat this record till today. This shows the speed and stoutness of Indian Scout motor cycle. There were other achievements too and everything taken together was made into a movie in 2005 called The World's Fastest Indian.
Since 1935 when the ownership of the Indian Motorcycle was transferred it came under a lot of problems having to discontinue manufacturing of all model of this brand in 1946. The final crunch came in 1977 when company had to announce itself bankrupt after changing of hands. The company was fighting a dispute in the court over the ownership of brand name all through 1980s and90s.
Finally, in December 1998, the claim was settled in Federal court in Denver. IMCOA Licensing America, Inc. was awarded the trademark, and the Indian Motorcycle Company of America was formed as a conglomerate of nine companies. Production began again in 1999, and Scout models were manufactured from 2001 to 2003, until the company went bankrupt again.
In 2006 Indian Motorcycle was set up again in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. They started manufacturing the Chief model but Scout brand was not being produced anymore.
The Indian Scout was introduced in 1920. It had a 37 cubic inch (596 cc) engine that increased in size to 45 cubic inches (745 cc) in 1927. That increase in engine size was an answer to the popular Excelsior Super X, which was the first American 45 cubic inch motorcycle.
A second response was the 1928 introduction of the 101 Scout, which some fans believe to be the height of Indian Motorcycle technology. There remain, however, enthusiasts who are pleased with Indian's use of the frame from its other superstar model, the Chief, in the Scout line starting in 1931.
Perhaps to placate Scout devotees, from 1932 until 1941, smaller Scouts were built. They were known as the Scout Pony, the Junior Scout, and the Thirty-Fifty, all of which had 30.50 cubic inch engines.
In the early decades of the 20th century, the Indian Motorcycle Company and Harley Davidson were the two choices for the traditional American heavyweight cruiser. The two companies were ferocious rivals, and this rivalry is chronicled in the book called The Harley-Davidson and Indian Wars by Allan Girdler. While the Scout was a runaway bestseller, Harley-Davidson proved to be a very formidable opponent.
To give an illustration of speed Burt Munro, a New Zealander and a motorcycle racer set a record in land speed under-1000cc between 1962 and 1967 with his 47 year old 1920 modified Indian Scout motor cycle. At the time he himself was 68 years old and nobody has been able to beat this record till today. This shows the speed and stoutness of Indian Scout motor cycle. There were other achievements too and everything taken together was made into a movie in 2005 called The World's Fastest Indian.
Since 1935 when the ownership of the Indian Motorcycle was transferred it came under a lot of problems having to discontinue manufacturing of all model of this brand in 1946. The final crunch came in 1977 when company had to announce itself bankrupt after changing of hands. The company was fighting a dispute in the court over the ownership of brand name all through 1980s and90s.
Finally, in December 1998, the claim was settled in Federal court in Denver. IMCOA Licensing America, Inc. was awarded the trademark, and the Indian Motorcycle Company of America was formed as a conglomerate of nine companies. Production began again in 1999, and Scout models were manufactured from 2001 to 2003, until the company went bankrupt again.
In 2006 Indian Motorcycle was set up again in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. They started manufacturing the Chief model but Scout brand was not being produced anymore.
About the Author:
The Indian scout motorcycle was a pioneer of it's times. If you are a true Indian fan you'll be interested in reading this page on Indian motorbike accessories.
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