INDIAN MOTORCYCLES
Early History of Indian Motorcycle Company
Although the Indian Motorcycle Company was founded and started two years before the Harley-Davidson Motorcycle
Company, it has not been able to stay on track nearly as long as this legendary
company. However, its history is rich and exciting, and even though the
motorcycles are no longer being manufactured in the original aspect, Indian
continues to bring forth admirers and collectors of these amazing bikes.
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Indian Motorcycles |
The
Indian Motorcycle Co. was founded in 1901 by George M. Hendee and Carl Oscar Hedstrom in
Springfield, Massachusetts. In the early days, the company was known as the
Hendee Mar Company, and started its beginning with America's very first
motorcycle. The company was technologically advanced in a number of ways,
including the introduction of the very first V-twin bike in the year 1907. This
was far more advanced than the single motorcycles being produced by
Harley-Davidson even in 1910.
In 1916, before World
War I, Indian Motorcycles was one of approximately 20 American motorcycle
companies that were trying to make it in the volatile market. Indian Motorcycle
Co. accounted for 40 percent of the market share in 1916, making it one of the
most popular in its time. The Powerplus line of bikes was sold to the US
government in the years 1917 and 1918 for use in the military. As World War II
arose, both Indian and Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company manufactured their
motorcycles for military use, specifically the United States Army. The Army
even requested a specialized motorcycle design that would allow fighting in
deserts, and the Indian Motorcycle Company stepped up to the plate and produced
a specific motorcycle for the military's needs. The 841 was born and a thousand
were manufactured for the government.
In 1945, the company
was bought out by Ralph B. Rogers, and many changes were made that may have
caused the demise of the Indian Motorcycle Co. The more popular bikes, such as
the Scout, were discontinued, and more lightweight designs were manufactured
and introduced by 1949. However, the quality of these bikes were sub par, and
loyal owners began to lose interest and hope in the future of the company. The
company filed for bankruptcy and stopped producing motorcycles in 1953.
Indian
Motorcycle Company has an exciting history that includes military support and many years
as one of the top motorcycle companies in America, outselling and outperforming
Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the early years. As many other companies have
continued to try and build off the Indian Motorcycle Company name, the original
designs and manufactured bikes are highly sought after by motorcycle
enthusiasts and collectors.


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