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2017 Shannons Melbourne Winter Classic Auction
Lot
29

c1919 Indian Power Plus 1000cc V-Twin Solo Motorcycle

$50,000

Sold

Specifications

Engine V-twin, 61-cid
Gearbox 3-speed manual
Colour Indian Red

Description

This lot is no longer available

The legendary Indian Motorcycle Company based in Springfield, Massachusetts was the only American motorcycle manufacturer able to compete with Harley-Davidson on level terms for much of the 20th Century.  Founded by a bicycle builder named George Hendee and his partner Oscar Hedstrom in 1901, 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.  Following Oscar Hedstrom’s decision to quit in 1913, his replacement Charles Gustafson designed a number of new products, including the new V-twin Powerplus range in 1916.  The Powerplus was Indian’s first ever flathead engine, a four-stroke unit displacing 61-cid and developing 16 horsepower, a considerable improvement over Hedstrom’s own V-twin.  Initially mounted in the existing rigid frame, Indian offered the Powerplus with the option of its patented Cradle Spring Frame from 1913, featuring a rear swingarm with trailing leaf springs for a more comfortable ride.  The Powerplus had a three-speed gearbox and kick-starter, while early problems with piston slap were cured by lengthening the barrels and pistons and relocating the piston wrist pin in 1917.  In September 1919 a revised frame design, using the engine as a stressed member, was introduced and a version with a lowered top tube and steering head earned the nickname Daytona the following year.  Popular with racers in the day, a Daytona Powerplus was famously owned by motorcycle enthusiast Steve McQueen.  From 1920 the Powerplus was offered with the option of a larger 74-cid engine and remained in production until 1922, being renamed the Standard that year and sold alongside its eventual successor, the Chief.  The bike was popularised through the use of record stunts like “Cannonball” Baker’s attempt to break the “Three Flags” record in August 1915, setting a new benchmark of 3 days, 9 hours and 15 minutes between Vancouver and Tijuana.  Baker also travelled to Australia in 1916 to test the reliability of the Powerplus on our harsh roads.