The Indian Scout motorcycle was the star of the Indian motorcycle line from 1920 until 1939. Indian Scout motorcycles were used by police, by motorcycle racers, and during World War II. During the war, Indian made aircraft engines, motors for boats, air conditioners, and bicycles. Perhaps the most revered Indian Scout motorcycle was the 1928 101 Scout, with its lower slung frame and improved handling.
Indian Scout motorcycle went through some changes since its arrival in 1920. While it was introduced with an engine size of 37 cubic inch (596 cc) by 1927 it was increased to 45 cubic inches (745 cc). This came as a reaction to the American built motorcycle Excelsior Super X, which had a 45 cubic inch engine.
When 101 Scout was introduced in 1928 the Indian Motorcycle fans felt that it was the ultimate in Indian Motorcycle technology. nevertheless Scout started using the body of another Indian's famous model called Chief in 1931 which pleased its admirers to no end.
Between 1932 and 1941 the Scout fans saw a series 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 heavyweight 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 competition 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.
One testimony to the speed and toughness of the 1920 Indian Scout motorcycle was racer Burt Munro's use of a modified 1920 Scout to set land speed records between 1962 and 1967. Munro's under-1000 cc world speed record in 1967 still stands. At the time, Munro, a New Zealander, was 68 years old and was riding a motorcycle that was 47 years old. This and other feats were dramatized in 2005 in the movie The World's Fastest Indian.
Since 1935 when the ownership of the Indian Motorcycle was transferred it came under a lot of problems having to stop production of all model of this brand in 1946. The final crunch came in 1977 when company had to announce itself bankrupt after changing of hands. The company was fighting a dispute in the court over the ownership of brand name all through 1980s and90s.
The claim of ownership came through in 1988 when IMCOA Licensing America won the trademark by the Federal court in Denver. A nine company multinational was set up to form Indian Motorcycle Company of America. From 1999 the manufacturing of Scout Motorcycles were started and carried on till 2003 when the company again had to announce bankruptcy.
In 2006, the company re-formed and set up shop in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. Though the Chief model is being resurrected, the Indian Scout motorcycle is no longer made. - 30329
Indian Scout motorcycle went through some changes since its arrival in 1920. While it was introduced with an engine size of 37 cubic inch (596 cc) by 1927 it was increased to 45 cubic inches (745 cc). This came as a reaction to the American built motorcycle Excelsior Super X, which had a 45 cubic inch engine.
When 101 Scout was introduced in 1928 the Indian Motorcycle fans felt that it was the ultimate in Indian Motorcycle technology. nevertheless Scout started using the body of another Indian's famous model called Chief in 1931 which pleased its admirers to no end.
Between 1932 and 1941 the Scout fans saw a series 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 heavyweight 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 competition 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.
One testimony to the speed and toughness of the 1920 Indian Scout motorcycle was racer Burt Munro's use of a modified 1920 Scout to set land speed records between 1962 and 1967. Munro's under-1000 cc world speed record in 1967 still stands. At the time, Munro, a New Zealander, was 68 years old and was riding a motorcycle that was 47 years old. This and other feats were dramatized in 2005 in the movie The World's Fastest Indian.
Since 1935 when the ownership of the Indian Motorcycle was transferred it came under a lot of problems having to stop production of all model of this brand in 1946. The final crunch came in 1977 when company had to announce itself bankrupt after changing of hands. The company was fighting a dispute in the court over the ownership of brand name all through 1980s and90s.
The claim of ownership came through in 1988 when IMCOA Licensing America won the trademark by the Federal court in Denver. A nine company multinational was set up to form Indian Motorcycle Company of America. From 1999 the manufacturing of Scout Motorcycles were started and carried on till 2003 when the company again had to announce bankruptcy.
In 2006, the company re-formed and set up shop in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. Though the Chief model is being resurrected, the Indian Scout motorcycle is no longer made. - 30329
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The Indian scout motorcycle was a pioneer of it's times. If you are a real Indian lover you'll be interested in reading this page on Indian motorcycle accessories.
