A History of Innovation - Engineering and Competition Highlights

Engineering and Competition Highlights

1901
Prototype and two production units successfully designed, built and tested.

1902
First Indian motorcycles, featuring innovative belt-drives and streamlined styling, sold to public.

1903
Indian co-founder and chief engineer Oscar Hedstrom sets world motorcycle speed record (56mph).

1904
Crimson Steed of Steel paint scheme introduced; Indian wins Gold Medal for Mechanical Excellence at St. Louis Exposition

1906
Indian releases first American production V-Twin after several years of development and testing; 101 years later V-Twin remains most popular cruiser-motorcycle engine design

1907
New York Police Department selects Indians for first motorcycle police unit

1909
Indian "loop frame" positions gas tank on front horizontal frame member, other makers eventually follow suit; basic configuration still used by virtually all motorcycles.

1911
Indian sweeps top three positions in first Isle of Man Mountain Course Race

1913
First swingarm and leaf-spring rear suspension in the industry is introduced.

1914
Indian debuts world's first motorcycle with electric lights and starter; Cannonball Baker sets cross-country speed record on an Indian V-Twin

1916
61-cubic-inch Powerplus side-valve engine is introduced

1918
An overhead cam, four-valve-per-cylinder Powerplus racing motorcycle tops 120 mph

1920
First use of semi-monocoque engine/transmission/frame construction; Indian Scout introduced

1922
Indian becomes first company in America to use "leakproof" aluminum primary cases; competition retains leaks for decades.

1924
74-cubic-inch Big Chief V-Twin introduced

1927
Four-cylinder Indian Ace introduced.

1937
Indian Rider Ed "Iron Man" Kretz wins inaugural Daytona 200; Indian introduces first motorcycles with dual carburetors

1940
Indian pioneers use of "plunger" (spring coupled to an oil-dampened shaft) rear suspension; introduces trademark full-skirt fenders (aka valences).

1941
Indian begins production of advanced shaft-drive, four-speed military motorcycle

1943
Indian wins Army-Navy Production Award

1948
First Daytona 200 held on new beach/road course won by Indian rider Floyd Emde