Indian 1915 5 HP Model B-3 684 cc 2 cyl IOE 3608

Indian 1915 5 HP Model B-3 ‘Little Twin’ 684 cc IOE V-twin frame # 50654 engine # 50G547 gearbox # 1644

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 (988 cc).
By 1913 Indian was the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world with a production of some 35,000 machines, according to a company claim. For 1915 two smaller v-twins were catalogued, the 3 ½ HP 498 cc Model A and the 5 HP 684 cc Model B, with 70 x 89 bore x stroke. The Model A was offered only in the British Indian Catalogue, it is not listed in the standard “worldwide” Indian catalogue for 1915. The Model B was presented at the Chicago Show in October 1914. According to an article in “The Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review” describing the new Indian offerings, the magazine praised itself for contributing a lot to the promotion of middleweight motorcycles: “Bicycling Word and Motorcycle Review through its editorial columns has constantly been shouting the praises of the lighter weight twin, constantly preaching the doctrine of curbing the weight of the two-wheeler, supporting the light weight in the land where it had not another single friend. The Hendee announcement of a model of the sort is therefore gratifying, to say the least.”

The standard catalogue specifies three types of 5 HP Little Twin, B-1 Single- Speed, B-2 Two- Speed and B-3 Three-Speed. In Britain only the Three Speed Model was offered. At the time the Indians that were sold in Britain were fitted with British Brooks or Lycett saddles.

This Little Twin spent most of her life in Britain. Unusual in having the kick-starter on the ‘British’ side, this Indian also features the optional ‘semi-TT’ handlebars, left-hand throttle/magneto advance twist-grip and right-hand valve lifter twist-grip. Transmission is the three-speed option with foot operated clutch. There are two rear wheel brakes: a foot-operated internal-expanding and hand-operated external-contracting. Tyres fitted are 28 x 2 ½ x 2. She was featured in an article in the January 1985 issue of The Classic Motorcycle and moved to the Netherlands some time after that. Her former owner never rode her and she has always been displayed inhouse. She will need some light recommissioning before she is ready to return to the road.