c.1935 Indian 77.21ci Model 402 Four

Frame no. 35B10 & 4502 Engine no. EA845

Footnotes

• Iconic American four

• 'The Duesenberg of Motorcycling'

• An older restoration

Marketed as the Indian Ace for 1928, the Springfield company's first four-cylinder motorcycle had resulted from its purchase of Ace rights and tooling from Detroit Motors the previous year. The Ace company, although bankrupted twice, had developed a fundamentally sound four-cylinder motorcycle based on William Henderson's original design, and this provided Indian with an opportunity to offer an in-line 'four' with minimal development costs.

The Ace was William Henderson's second four-cylinder motorcycle. One of the most charismatic names in American motorcycling history, the Henderson company - founded by Tom and William Henderson in Detroit in 1912 - produced nothing but four-cylinder motorcycles in the course of its 19-year existence. The firm passed into the control of Chicago-based cycle maker Ignaz Schwinn, owner of Excelsior, in 1917 and the Hendersons soon moved on to found the Ace motorcycle company - later taken over by Indian - thereby having a hand in the design of all the major American-built fours.

The first Ace four had been offered late in 1919 for the 1920 season and retained the F-head (inlet over exhaust) valve gear of the original Henderson. (Schwinn's Hendersons went 'flat head' for 1920). The 77.21ci (1,265cc) air-cooled inline engine employed splash lubrication and was built in unit with the three-speed, hand-change gearbox. A wheelbase of 59" and a seat height of 29" made for a stable and comfortable ride, while weight was kept down to a commendable 365lbs.

By 1926 the reconstituted company was owned by Detroit motors, from which it was bought by Indian in January '27. Having acquired the Ace, Indian made few changes for the next couple of years before beginning to put its own characteristic stamp on the Four, beginning in 1929 with a restyle (Model 401) and following up with a new five-main-bearing crankshaft. Introduced on June 1st 1929 on the Model 402, the latter was the biggest single change made to the motor, which retained the Henderson Ace's basic architecture right up to 1936 when the so-called 'upside down' Model 436 Four was introduced. Production of the Indian Four, 'The Duesenberg of Motorcycling' and America's last four-cylinder motorcycle, ceased in 1942.

An older restoration (the engine turns over), this Indian Four features a Dixio carburettor, Corbin speedometer, and a Stuttgart Carmen-Wertag plaque attached to the steering damper. Accompanying paperwork includes photocopied technical literature, a magazine article, and a parts catalogue (modern).


• Moto à quatre cylindres emblématique américaine

• « La Duesenberg des Motos »

• Ancienne restauration

Cette Indian « Four » anciennement restaurée est dotée d'un carburateur Dixio, d'un compteur Corbin et d'une plaque Stuttgart Carmen-Wertag fixée sur le frein de direction. La documentation jointe comprend des textes techniques en photocopies, un article de magazine et un catalogue de pièces de rechange (moderne).


It should be noted that these vehicles have either been on display in the museum or kept in store since Peter and Ulrike passed away. Their present mechanical condition is not known; accordingly, perspective bidders must satisfy themselves with regards to their condition, completeness, correctness, or otherwise prior to bidding.

On notera que depuis le décès de Peter et d'Ulrike ces véhicules ont été maintenus en exposition dans le musée ou entreposés. L'état actuel réel des mécaniques est inconnu et les éventuels acquéreurs devront s'assurer par eux-mêmes de la condition, de l'intégrité, de l'authenticité et autres points relatifs à la qualité des machines avant de porter leurs enchères.