Classic Motorcycles in India

Julian UK · 24th February 2008, 00:18

Hi bikers I’m new here so just getting the hang of this image posting
Any Indian fans out there?

These two projects have taken up the last 2 years part time
1913 Indian 7HP (1000cc) single speed.

In my extremely spacious home workshop (don’t tell the landlord)

1916 Indian Powerplus (1000cc) 3 speed

gt_mustang · 24th February 2008, 14:24

that sure is a beauty!!!!!!
is it one of the earliest bikes in poduction if not the first

but seriously 7 hp
where could u go in that???

Julian UK · 24th February 2008, 16:16

They started selling bikes in 1902, have a look here:

Indian (motorcycle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

If you Google "Indian Motorcycles" there are lots of pictures and information
In 1914 Erwin "Cannonball" Baker rode an Indian across America, from San Diego to New York, in a record 11 days, 12 hours and ten minutes. Think of the roads then.

DKG · 25th February 2008, 09:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julian UK

Any Indian fans out there?

Have seen a beautifully restored 1912 Indian here in India, quite similar to the one you have, complete with the white tyres.

Great work Julian, the bike looks awesome

jkdas · 25th February 2008, 09:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by gt_mustang

that sure is a beauty!!!!!!
is it one of the earliest bikes in poduction if not the first

but seriously 7 hp
where could u go in that???

Seems you havent heard about a guy who made a record with that

There's even a film about him.

The fastest Indian.

Nice job Julian. You has these bikes with you or you bought it and worked on it?

VJ_MAVRICK · 25th February 2008, 10:07

Nice and pristine are the words i can say for the pics you posted Julian. These Indian bikes were a certain mainstay for sometime in the US in the early 1900's and good to see that in UK.From the pictures and the information you had given ,it seems that its a 1000cc with just 3 gears? So how is the ride quality with only 3 speed ranges?

ram_hyundai · 25th February 2008, 10:07

wonderfull piece of restoration job and i like the color too,but both look identical and similar in many ways.can we have some more details of it.
ram

Julian UK · 26th February 2008, 17:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkdas

Nice job Julian. You has these bikes with you or you bought it and worked on it?

I’ve had a pile of bits since 1982 in storage.

Quote:

Originally Posted by VJ_MAVRICK

So how is the ride quality with only 3 speed ranges?

3 speeds are adequate but the 1913 Hedstrom has 1 speed only using a clutch. This is not so usable. Lots were fitted with 3 speed gearboxes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ram_hyundai

wonderfull piece of restoration job and i like the color too,but both look identical and similar in many ways.can we have some more details of it.
ram

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rider60 · 26th February 2008, 18:58

hey the red bike looks so cute. reminds me of the fairy tales like chitti chitti bang bang and wizard of oz, man those white color tires do add the spice for the cute looks!

Julian UK · 27th February 2008, 02:31

This photo was taken the day before Sanjay Gandhi’s aircraft crash, this is the Pitts aerobatic aircraft he was training in and his instructor sitting on a friend of mine’s Indian Chief at Safdarjung airport in June 1980. The pilot also owned an Indian Chief 1200cc.
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Julian UK · 27th February 2008, 02:59

My last Indian Chief restoration in Delhi
1946 Indian Chief 74c.i. (1200cc)

Same bike still in Delhi now.

In UK but the bike unwanted in Delhi in 1981 so I bought it.

In the UK but the bike was unloved in Delhi in 1981 so I bought it.

In the UK but the bike was to be scrapped in Delhi in 1981 so I bought it.

Same bike

They were/are all legally exportable being post 1940.
I still have the permission letter from the Chief controller of Customs.

[FONT=Arial]More to come only my daughter is dominating the printer/scanner

I pray for an absence of mystery font tags.
[/FONT]

Julian UK · 27th February 2008, 03:11

This is THE last unconverted Harley Taxi in New Delhi. Whose owner/driver I knew. The end of an era. They used to sound great..

This is one of the first Greeves-Lombardini diesel engine conversions (butchery?)It is being fitted into a Harley Davidson 3 wheel taxi in New Delhi. They cut into the petrol tank from underneath and use an auxiliary diesel tank mounted separately. They got a better fuel average.
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Julian UK · 1st March 2008, 01:40

Some more pre-war bike photos of bikes in India

An early 20s Henderson 4 cylinder from Calcutta now in Delhi and restored.

A early Wooler in Karol Bagh, New Delhi in the 80s.

A 30s Panther 600 in Delhi

A 1930s Brough Superior SS100 from Bihar.

A 1927s Norton CS1 500cc SOHC from Delhi

My last Indian Chief before restoration:

This is not in India but I include it because it was quite an experience.
A 1980s Quasar (Reliant 4 cylinder engine 800cc All aluminium) feet forward, very low centre of gravity, petrol tank under the seat, very fast on corners but tricky at low speed. Hub centre steering i.e. th pivot for the front wheel is in the centre of the hub , much better than wobbly telescopic front forks.

Interested? Try this:
Malcolm Newell's FFs

More photos coming of bikes, if any responses indicate some interest?

deutscheafrikar · 3rd March 2008, 22:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julian UK

Some more pre-war bike photos of bikes in India
More photos coming of bikes, if any responses indicate some interest?

Yep Julian...keep 'em coming. Say you ever come across a BMW R12 or R75 manufactured in the late thirties and early forties?

Julian UK · 4th March 2008, 01:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by deutscheafrikar

Yep Julian...keep 'em coming. Say you ever come across a BMW R12 or R75 manufactured in the late thirties and early forties?

Not in India, I saw a R25 once thats all.
I once had a R50 and rebuilt the wheels and the Weinmann rims were so accurate you could true them with a dial gauge and they came within .002" inch. Amazing quality.

Here’s three more photos of the “The Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles” The Brough Superior SS100, 1000cc JAP engine from Bihar, guaranteed 100mph.
There’s one up for sale in a Bonhams auction at Stafford here in April price estimate £120,000 - £140,000
The tank and front mudguard and some other parts have been removed.

24th February 2008, 00:18	#1
Julian UK BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: London UK Posts: 709 Thanked: 254 Times	Classic Motorcycles in India Hi bikers I’m new here so just getting the hang of this image posting Any Indian fans out there? These two projects have taken up the last 2 years part time 1913 Indian 7HP (1000cc) single speed. In my extremely spacious home workshop (don’t tell the landlord) 1916 Indian Powerplus (1000cc) 3 speed Last edited by Rehaan : 26th February 2008 at 23:00. Reason: font tags removed
	() Thanks

24th February 2008, 14:24	#2
gt_mustang BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: hyd Posts: 247 Thanked: 5 Times	that sure is a beauty!!!!!! is it one of the earliest bikes in poduction if not the first but seriously 7 hp where could u go in that???
	() Thanks

24th February 2008, 16:16	#3
Julian UK BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: London UK Posts: 709 Thanked: 254 Times	They started selling bikes in 1902, have a look here: Indian (motorcycle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) If you Google "Indian Motorcycles" there are lots of pictures and information In 1914 Erwin "Cannonball" Baker rode an Indian across America, from San Diego to New York, in a record 11 days, 12 hours and ten minutes. Think of the roads then.
	() Thanks

25th February 2008, 10:07	#6
VJ_MAVRICK Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,239 Thanked: 34 Times View My Garage	Nice and pristine are the words i can say for the pics you posted Julian. These Indian bikes were a certain mainstay for sometime in the US in the early 1900's and good to see that in UK.From the pictures and the information you had given ,it seems that its a 1000cc with just 3 gears? So how is the ride quality with only 3 speed ranges?
	() Thanks

25th February 2008, 10:07	#7
ram_hyundai Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calicut ,trisur Posts: 2,020 Thanked: 53 Times View My Garage	wonderfull piece of restoration job and i like the color too,but both look identical and similar in many ways.can we have some more details of it. ram
	() Thanks

26th February 2008, 18:58	#9
rider60 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bhagyanagaram. (A.K.A. Hyderabad) Posts: 1,620 Thanked: 56 Times View My Garage	hey the red bike looks so cute. reminds me of the fairy tales like chitti chitti bang bang and wizard of oz, man those white color tires do add the spice for the cute looks!
	() Thanks

27th February 2008, 02:31	#10
Julian UK BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: London UK Posts: 709 Thanked: 254 Times	Indian Chief 1200cc This photo was taken the day before Sanjay Gandhi’s aircraft crash, this is the Pitts aerobatic aircraft he was training in and his instructor sitting on a friend of mine’s Indian Chief at Safdarjung airport in June 1980. The pilot also owned an Indian Chief 1200cc. [FONT=Arial][/FONT]
	() Thanks

27th February 2008, 02:59	#11
Julian UK BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: London UK Posts: 709 Thanked: 254 Times	Some of my Chief restorations My last Indian Chief restoration in Delhi 1946 Indian Chief 74c.i. (1200cc) Same bike still in Delhi now. In UK but the bike unwanted in Delhi in 1981 so I bought it. In the UK but the bike was unloved in Delhi in 1981 so I bought it. In the UK but the bike was to be scrapped in Delhi in 1981 so I bought it. Same bike They were/are all legally exportable being post 1940. I still have the permission letter from the Chief controller of Customs. [FONT=Arial]More to come only my daughter is dominating the printer/scanner I pray for an absence of mystery font tags. [/FONT]
	() Thanks

27th February 2008, 03:11	#12
Julian UK BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: London UK Posts: 709 Thanked: 254 Times	Harley davidson phut phut taxis Delhi This is THE last unconverted Harley Taxi in New Delhi. Whose owner/driver I knew. The end of an era. They used to sound great.. This is one of the first Greeves-Lombardini diesel engine conversions (butchery?)It is being fitted into a Harley Davidson 3 wheel taxi in New Delhi. They cut into the petrol tank from underneath and use an auxiliary diesel tank mounted separately. They got a better fuel average. [FONT=Arial][/FONT]
	() Thanks

1st March 2008, 01:40	#13
Julian UK BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: London UK Posts: 709 Thanked: 254 Times	Some more pre-war bike photos in India Some more pre-war bike photos of bikes in India An early 20s Henderson 4 cylinder from Calcutta now in Delhi and restored. A early Wooler in Karol Bagh, New Delhi in the 80s. A 30s Panther 600 in Delhi A 1930s Brough Superior SS100 from Bihar. A 1927s Norton CS1 500cc SOHC from Delhi My last Indian Chief before restoration: This is not in India but I include it because it was quite an experience. A 1980s Quasar (Reliant 4 cylinder engine 800cc All aluminium) feet forward, very low centre of gravity, petrol tank under the seat, very fast on corners but tricky at low speed. Hub centre steering i.e. th pivot for the front wheel is in the centre of the hub , much better than wobbly telescopic front forks. Interested? Try this: Malcolm Newell's FFs More photos coming of bikes, if any responses indicate some interest?
	() Thanks