Indian 1930 Model HEP 302 Chief 1200cc sv 3603

Indian 1930 Model HEP 302 “Chief” 1200cc side valve V-twin engine # EH 659

The overwhelming enthusiasm for the new 1920 Indian Scout caused many riders, dealers and overseas agents to push the factory to design a larger, heavyweight v-twin along Scout lines with more speed and power, especially suited for sidecar work. Many factory executives supported the idea because the still popular PowerPlus began to look a bit old-fashioned. Scout-designer Franklin retired to the drawing board and came up with a new model that would be known as the Chief. The new Chief was announced in the fall of 1921 and was essentially an enlarged Scout with many PowerPlus (or Standard as it was now called) features: engine, front forks, wheel assemblies and other parts were basically similar to the Standard, with the addition of the Scout-type helical gear drive and unit construction of 1000cc engine and gearbox. The Chief was a successful model from the start and for the 1923 season a 1200cc Big Chief model with bore x stroke dimensions of 82x112mm was added to the range. In 1927 the Chiefs got bigger mudguards, improved muffler (the factory claimed a 50% reduction in exhaust sound), Alemite fittings for lubrication, valve release through tank and removable cylinder heads. From 1929 on only the 1200cc version was available and the “Big Chief” name was dropped. A special feature of the 1930 model year was the fitting of cast aluminium tanks. These tanks were only used in 1930 and for the early 1931 models. After stocks were used up, the company reverted to the usual sheet metal tanks. By the end of the 20s the 101 Scouts were the bestselling Indians so Chiefs of that period are relatively rare, certainly the 1930 models with aluminium tanks.
The specimen we present here has been impeccably restored, with correct dashboard mounted switch, light and amp gauge. The correct Motolamp headlight with “Teardrop” Indian script (only used in 1930 and 1931) is fitted; according to the 1930 sales information this new lamp gave “300% increased road lighting capacity”. Lighting plus ignition are taken care of by a reliable Bosch DVAR magdyno; the standard Splitdorf DU5 dynamo is also fitted.

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