The Facts About Scout Motorcycles From Indian Motorcycles
During’20 Indian Motorcycle came out with a outstanding motorcycle which was called Indian Scout motorcycle and was used by everyone from police to motorcycle racer. This motorcycle which was in use till’39 had a low body and better handling. India was also producing engines for aircraft and motors for boats, air conditioner and cycles during World War II.
Indian Scout motorcycle went through some changes since its introduction in’20. While it was introduced with an engine size of 37 cubic inch (596 cc) by’27 it was increased to 45 cubic inches (745 cc). This came as a response to the American built motorcycle Excelsior Super X, which had a 45 cubic inch engine.
When 101 Scout was introduced in’28 the Indian Motorcycle fans felt that it was the ultimate in Indian Motorcycle technology. However Scout started using the body of another Indian’s famous model called Chief in’31 which delighted its admirers to no end.
Between’32 and’41 the Scout fans saw a succession of smaller Scout motorcycles which may have been done to satisfy its supporters. These motorcycles had small engines of only 30.50 cubic inch and were called Scout Pony, the Junior Scout, and the Thirty-Fifty.
The two big motorcycle companies Indian Motorcycle Company and Harley Davidson were trying to out do each other in America in the early years of 20th century. The rivalry was well known and was written about in a book called Harley-Davidson and Indian Wars by Allan Girdler. The run away success of Scout was strongly opposed by Harley Davidson.
There is some interesting fact concerning the road worthiness of’20 model of Scout motorcycle. The motorcycle racer Burt Munro set out to make a world record in speed on land with a Scout between’62 and’67. He succeeded in making an unbeatable record with under-1000cc. The remarlable part was when Munro made the record he was 68 years old riding a 47 years old motorcycle. There were some more examples and everything taken together was made into a movie named World’s Fastest Indian in 2005.
The company Indian Motorcycles witnessed a series of trouble and was ultimately declared bankrupt in’77. In’35 controlling interest of Indian Motorcycles was sold and by’46 it stopped manufacturing any motorcycle. After that till’77 it changed hands several times. Through out’80s and1990s the company was fighting court battles over the ownership of the brand name.
Finally, in December’98, the claim was established in Federal court in Denver. IMCOA Licensing America, Inc. was given the trademark, and the Indian Motorcycle Company of America was shaped as a conglomerate of nine companies. Production began again in’99, and Scout models were manufactured from 2001 to 2003, until the company went bankrupt again.
The new Indian Motorcycle was set up in Kings Mountain, North Carolina in the year 2006. However they closed the production of Scout model and the Chief model was taken up for production.
The rush that a die hard lover of the classic Indian scout motorcyclegets from riding is not easy to put into words. If you’re interested in buying one, check out this page on Indian motorcycle dealers.
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