Indian Classic Motorcycles

[roopgill]

Thanks to Julian, this topic got started from Indian motorcycles and got little off topic (in a very good way) to Classic Motorcycles. I am going a little to the main "Indian" Topic. A copy of my Society Magazine cover with Shekar Kapoor.

[S.B.Jatti]

@ Julian UK
I thought some of you may like to watch the news report about some classic bike enthusiasts and restorers.http://www.youtube.com/watch?

YouTube - Love for old machines on wheels

S.B.Jatti

[Julian UK]

Originally Posted by S.B.Jatti

@ Julian UK
I thought some of you may like to watch the news report about some classic bike enthusiasts and restorers.

S.B.Jatti

Interesting to see the the second interview with Tara Chand, he had a workshop on Qutab Road for decades before shifting to West Delhi, the first Indian Chief I ever saw in Delhi in 1976 was outside his shop. His family had owned the shop since partition. I've drunk a lot of chai in that shop over the years but never actually managed to buy anything from him. Very expensive... He used to enter an Austin 7 in the Statesman rally every year. Nice to see he is still around.

[deutscheafrikar]

Originally Posted by dominator

Yes, it is the same person. He owned a R 69.

Yes Dominator you're right... R69 1957 - 2000
I found the photograph this morning... if you want I can scan it.
Are you in touch with Navroze?

[Julian UK]

I still think it would be logical to unite the Harley thread (in another section) with this one, there are also a lot of earlier bikes in a Bangalore car thread somewhere else.
Here are some pre 50 motorcycle photos from the 80s:

1946/47 Indian Chiefs at Gurdial Singh's workshop in Karol bagh in New Delhi. The grandfather used to be an Army mechanic working on military bikes pre 1947. His son Gogi is with him who was a very adept mechanic, his son now continues the work. They were/are good for sourcing imported bikes as well.
Top end of Arya Somaj Road, ask anyone for directions.
The same strange BSA A10/Honda swing arm conversion is in the 3rd photo






Working on a BSA 1000cc V twin G14



Rajan Sharma, whose workshop was nearby looking very young, he shifted to the USA.







The same BSA 1000cc





Me on the BSA with some admirers of my oversize helmet..





A BSA B40? outside Jama Masjid in Delhi


Photos Andrew Blake

One more of me on the BSA escaping from the admirers,
they only got hold of my sweater

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by Julian UK

Working on a BSA 1000cc V twin G14

Isn't this the same bike now with fellow member roopgill? A very unique bike I would think.

[Julian UK]

Originally Posted by karlosdeville

Isn't this the same bike now with fellow member roopgill? A very unique bike I would think.

It’s a similar model but there are differences.

Some more miscellaneous 80s bike photos taken in Delhi from Andrew,

A 1920s Indian Scout


A 1946 Indian Chief, an Indian 741B with added mudguard valences and the same BSA G14 1000cc.


A 1926 Douglas Model OC/26


A 1926 Levis 2 stroke


A Triumph Model H of around 1918


A Norton 16H and a BSA


A 1926 Harley Davidson 26B 350cc s.v


A ex military Harley Davidson 45


The Gandhi film 1946 Ariel 350 north of Rishikesh


A Harley Davidson 45 taxi conversion, prior to diesel conversion.


Another shot of a 1946 Indian Chief next to Sanjay Gandhi’s Pitts aircraft the day before the crash at Safdarjung airport.

[DKG]

Wow what a treasure of bikes India received!!

Its such an irony that the British empire did so much to provide its industry ever expanding markets and the industry did zilch in upgrading to survive the onslaught they were to witness from foreign makes. Neither the car nor the bike industry has survived. Its all sold out. Except for Triumph and a insignificant cottage car industry.

Learning lesson that too much protection spoils the lot!!!

[roopgill]

Here is a video of a Vee Twin BSA I have. 1936 BSA 1000cc.

YouTube - BSA G14 1936 1000cc

[dominator]

This RE 700 is the only Twin carburretor Constellation in the country,siamese exhaust. Originally form Gujarat, it is reregistered in Bangalore now. When bought from Mumbai, it was red in color.

[dominator]

Norton 88 SS 1964. Previously Madurai registration. Bike was unrestored but very original.

[dominator]

Karl, remember this T'bird in Pune ? It was Silver, Parsi owned at one time ? Christy helped me to source the bike.

[dominator]

This speed twin was AP registered before.

[dominator]

This 1955 A7 was ex Delhi/Madras.

[OceanBreeze]

Hi Dom.,

These are beautiful . Are they all yours ? The RE is very very special . I have been looking for a RE twin for years.

Just thought I would ask : Does ANYONE of you know of an R series BMW Airhead Boxer Twin for sale ? My preferences are immaterial - any R series.

Cheers

OceanBreeze