c1915 Indian 8-Valve Board Track Racer

Description

In 1915, the Indian factory in the USA built 25 special racers that were not destined for retail sale but instead were provided to its top dealers. Rhodes Motorcycle Co in Elizabeth St (Melbourne) were allocated two of these Model H bikes, both in full Board Track racing specification, which meant they had no suspension, no brakes, no clutch and no throttle control [just an ignition cut out]. In Board Track racing there was only one speed – flat out! These Model H Indians had a simple tube frame (whose bicycle forebears were still evident in the design), it had laydown handlebars, and the engine was a 998cc V-twin-cylinder, with a single stumpy exhaust and chain-drive to the rear wheel. Of these two Indian specials, one still exists in the Birdwood Motor Museum in South Australia, in that original Board Track specification. The other was modified in period for racing on closed country road circuits by Rhodes’ race mechanic Jack Morris, who fitted it with conventional carburettor control, rear brake, suspension, and a clutch. It was then raced in this specification with great success by Rhodes Motorcycle Co’s riders Jack Booth and later Harold Parsons, the former setting three World Speed records over one mile, file miles and 10 miles in South Australia, in October 1916.