1909 Indian

Twin Board Track Racer 

Indian motorcycle company founders, George Hendee and Oscar Hedstrom, met at a bicycle race. From the beginning, Indian was involved in all kinds of racing setting speed and endurance records. Co-founder Hedstrom was also the chief engineer. The first production were essentially motorized bicycles with either single or V-twin engines. By 1908 the transition to a specific frame began with either diamond or loop-type frame available. Indian involvement in racing reached a new level in 1908 when Factory modified Racers were available to the general public. The standard color for Indians from 1901 to 1911 was Royal Blue. First offered as an option 1904, a new color variation known as Indian Red became so popular it became the new Indian standard.

Standard models used the famous Indian script, while racing editions used the Indian Block lettering.

​Indian innovations: Known as America’s first motorcycle, First to offer foot boards, first to have a kick starter, and first to have an electric starter.

​In 1909, Indian Motorcycle pioneered the “loop frame” that was more similar to racing motorcycle design than the previous “diamond frame” that originated with bicycles. Indian also introduced several advancements on its 1910 models, including a leaf-spring front fork and an automatic oil pump. Some models also had a 2-speed transmission, floorboards, starter hand cranks, and the Indian Motorcycle script logo.

Indian Racing records of note;
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1902: First year of sales to the public, 3 motorcycles were entered into the first motorcycle race and all 3 finished with perfect scores.
1903: Oscar Hedstrom set a world motorcycle speed record of 56 mph
1911: Indian Racer’s took 1st, 2nd, and 3rd at England’s long famous Isle of Man Race
1911: V. Davis set a new Trans-continental record of 20 days 9 hrs. 11min.
1914: Cannonball Baker set a new west to east Trans-continental record of 11 days, 12 hrs. 10 min.

Indian dominated racing for 50 years.

 Our 1909 Indian restoration represents the 1908-1909 Factory Indian Racers, racing at venues such as Daytona Beach, Board Tracks, Indianapolis Speedway (first ever motorized race to be held at the speedway) and other endurance races.

Thanks to the Dennis Bryan Collection.
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