1915 Indian 'Hedstrom Racer 500cc Solo

Description

Based in Springfield, Massachusetts, the Indian Motorcycle Company was the only motorcycle manufacturer able to compete on equal terms with Harley-Davidson for the first half of the 20th Century. With its origins as a producer of bicycles, the partnership of George Hendee and Oscar Hedstrom followed the familiar practice of building a powered version in 1901, using a proprietary Thor single horsepower engine, and from the emergence of the first V-twin in 1907, Indian quickly established itself as a maker of quality motorcycles. Indian steadily evolved over the next decade, with developments like a steel cylinder head in place of the original cast iron one, sprung front forks and the first ever use of a twist grip sealing the company’s reputation for technical innovation. Starting in 1906, Indians were powered by engines built in-house by the Hendee Manufacturing Company, using Hedstrom’s own carburettors, while the first Indian V-twin appeared the following year. Sales grew strongly and the Massachusetts manufacturer went racing, enjoying considerable success such that by 1911, it was producing special-order racing motorcycles including this bike built to compete in the Isle of Man Senior 500TT. These had a 500cc engine with cylinders an inch shorter than those on the regular Model B little twin. The Hedstrom racer model was not listed in the Indian sale brochure that year as they were a special order.