Indian 1913 4 H.P. Single 500 cc 1 cyl IOE 3510

Indian 1913 “4 H.P. Single Cylinder 30.50. Regular Model” 500 cc IOE engine # 42E142

Oscar Hedstrom and Oliver Hendee, both active in the cycle racing world, got together to found the Hendee Manufacturing Company and build the first prototype Indian motorcycle in 1901. That first machine was powered by a single-cylinder, ‘F-head’ (inlet over exhaust) engine that formed part of the ‘diamond’ frame, in the Indian’s case it sloped rearwards
to act as the seat tube. An advanced feature in motorcycling’s early pioneering days, chain drive was used by Indian right from the start. The Indian single proved immensely successful and provided the basis for the first of the powerful, large-capacity v-twins for which the marque is best remembered.

Indian’s first, 38.61ci (633cc) v-twin appeared in 1907 with an engine clearly derived from that of the single, though mechanical inlet valves – introduced for 1908 – were an early improvement. The twin’s rear cylinder continued to form part of the frame until 1909 when a loop frame of the type favoured by rivals Harley-Davidson was adopted.
The Springfield Company’s first ‘Big Twin’ debuted that same year displacing 61 ci (988cc).

In 1911 Indians got first, second and third places in the Manx TT and this victory created much goodwill for the make in Europe. By 1913 Indian was the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world; the 1913 production was almost 32,000 machines. There were 2,000 dealers all over the world and Indian controlled some 42% of the domestic motorcycle market in the USA. Four models were catalogued, a single speed single and twin and a two speed single and twin. A new feature for 1913 was the spring frame. This “Regular Model” was the popular “basic” model with single speed with hand-operated clutch and all-chain drive. It cost $ 200, for a price of $275 a two-speed version with kick-starter was available.
The clutch is controlled by a hand lever on the left side, the external contracting band brake on the rear wheel can be actuated by pedalling backwards or by pressing the foot pedal on the left of the machine. The ignition and compression release are handled by turning the right twistgrip; the left twistgrip regulates the throttle. The sleek petrol tank holds 2 ½ gallons (7.5 litres) and the oil tank capacity is nearly a litre. The spark is generated by a Bosch magneto, the best device that was available at the time.

This 1913 Indian, restored to a very high standard, comes with acetylene lighting. The engine is running, but the Indian may need some fine tuning to make her roadworthy.

video: https://youtu.be/G8PBMSLputc