1913 Indian 4hp Model E

Engine no. 75E330

• Restored by the late vendor with believed original parts
• Part of a museum collection for the last 20 years

In 1897, as he created Hendee Manufacturing Company, George Hendee actually created the oldest American motorcycle company. It took less than 5 years for the former bicycle racer to decide motorcycle could be fitted with gasoline-powered engine. In that vision, George Hendee decided to hire a highly qualified engineer, Oscar Hedstrom. Together, they built their first prototype Indian "motocycle" in 1901. That first machine was powered by a single-cylinder "F-Head" (intake over exhaust) engine that formed part of the "diamond frame" that sloped rearwards to act as the seat tube. An advanced feature in motorcycling's early pioneering days, chain drive was used by Indian right from the start. The Indian single proved immensely successful and provided the basis for the first of the powerful, large-capacity V-twins for which the marque is best known.

Indian's first 38.61ci (633cc) V-twin appeared in 1907 with an engine clearly derived from that of the single, though mechanical inlet valves – introduced for 1908 – were an early improvement. The twin's rear cylinder continued to form part of the frame until 1909 when a loop frame of the type favored by rivals Harley-Davidson was adopted. The Springfield company's first "Big Twin" debuted that same year displacing 60.32ci (988cc).

In 1911 Indian broke new ground yet again with its OHV four-valves-per-cylinder racers. The firm achieved its famous 1, 2, 3 finish at the Isle of Man TT that same year, a remarkable achievement made possible by the advantages conferred by the use of all-chain drive. The twin models were updated in 1913 with Indian's innovative, leaf-sprung, swinging-arm Cradle Spring Frame, but at the end of 1915 the new "Flat Head" V-twin – the Powerplus – was introduced, thus bringing to an end the noble, pioneering line of F-Head Indians.

By 1913 Indian was the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world, producing nearly 32,000 machines. There were 2,000 dealers worldwide and Indian controlled some 42% of the American motorcycle market.

The seller bought the bike in parts about 20 years ago and rebuilt it with original components. The kick starter is not functional, so the bike has not been started since being worked on. It is essentially used as a display piece.