1923 Indian 74ci Big Chief 'Board-Track Racing Motorcycle'

There being no purpose-built motorcycle racetracks in the sport's pioneering years, the first competitive events were held on existing velodromes built for cycle racing. Indian's co-founders George M Hendee and Carl Oscar Hedstrom had both been successful racing cyclists in their day and so were well aware of the valuable publicity to be gained from racetrack successes. Indeed, Hedstrom's interest in motorcycles had been kindled when he built a motorised pacer for use on cycle racing tracks, and Hendee's favourable impressions of this machine had brought the two men together. Indian was soon profiting from its products' competition successes, to such an extent that the firm was overwhelmed with orders and had to turn for assistance to the Aurora Automatic Machinery Company, of Aurora, Illinois, which from October 1902 was contracted to build the Hedstrom-designed engines under license.

At first, Indian motorcycles used in competition were modified road models, and not until 1908 did the Springfield company offer a purpose-built racing motorcycle for sale. The following year Messrs Hedstrom and Hendee opened their own hometown, pine-board motordrome in Springfield, thus providing Indian with its own test track and works rider 'Jake' DeRosier - one of motorcycle sport's first superstars - with a stage to showcase his immense talent.

The current private vendor purchased this Indian board racer in July 2015, the previous owner having purchased it in California some three years previously (2015 purchase receipt on file). The previous owner had been told that the owner before him had died 20 years ago, leaving the project half completed. The rolling chassis had been finished and the paintwork and plating done some 20 years previously. The engine's internals were said to have been rebuilt with new pistons, con-rods, flywheels, stainless valves, bearings, etc, while the gearbox and clutch were reported to be fully reconditioned. Our vendor purchased the Indian via an online auction platform and the seller's full description is on file (perusal recommended).

As it stands, this Indian has been restored and is in near complete condition. We are advised by the vendor that the carburettor will need overhauling and that the exhaust pipes are only loosely fitted. The machine has been dry stored in the current owner's home and has never been started or run.

It is not known whether the Indian was built in period for board-track racing or was originally a Big Chief road bike that has been restored to board-track specification, therefore prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's history, authenticity, originality, mechanical condition, completeness (or otherwise) prior to bidding. Sold strictly as seen, the machine is offered with import paperwork and sundry invoices, including one for a magneto overhaul in 2013.
Key not required