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==Later Scouts and demise (1931–1948)==
==Later Scouts and demise (1931–1948)==
Cost cutting led to Indian designing a new basic frame for 1932 that would form the basis for the Scout, Chief, and Four frames.<ref name=FranklinIndians /> The 1932 Standard Scout that was based on this new frame<ref name=FranklinIndians /> was heavier and bulkier than the 101 frame, and was less successful as a result.<ref name=ClassicScout /><ref name=EncyclopediaScout101 /> The negative reaction to this Scout led to the creation of the Sport Scout of 1934, with a light frame, Girder forks, improved carburation and alloy cylinder heads.<ref name=ClassicScout /> The new Scout was still 15 pounds heavier than the 101 Scout.<ref name="McQueen Sport Scout">{{cite journal|last=Williams|first=Greg|title=The Star Power of Steve McQueen’s 1942 Indian Sport Scout|journal=Motorcycle Classics|year=2013|month=March/April|volume=8|issue=4|url=http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-american-motorcycles/steve-mcqueen-zmwz13mazbea.aspx|accessdate=19 April 2013}}</ref> The Sport Scout won the first [[Daytona 200]] in 1937.<ref name=ClassicScout /> Despite the introduction of the Sport Scout, the Standard Scout remained in production until 1937.<ref name=FranklinIndians />
Cost cutting led to Indian designing a new basic frame for 1932 that would form the basis for the Scout, Chief, and Four frames.<ref name=FranklinIndians /> The 1932 Standard Scout that was based on this new frame<ref name=FranklinIndians /> was heavier and bulkier than the 101 frame, and was less successful as a result.<ref name=ClassicScout /><ref name=EncyclopediaScout101 /> The negative reaction to this Scout led to the creation of the Sport Scout of 1934, with a light frame, Girder forks, improved carburation and alloy cylinder heads.<ref name=ClassicScout /> The new Scout was still 15 pounds heavier than the 101 Scout.<ref name="McQueen Sport Scout">{{cite journal|last=Williams|first=Greg|title=The Star Power of Steve McQueen’s 1942 Indian Sport Scout|journal=Motorcycle Classics|year=2013|month=March/April|volume=8|issue=4|url=http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-american-motorcycles/steve-mcqueen-zmwz13mazbea.aspx|accessdate=19 April 2013}}</ref> The Sport Scout won the first [[Daytona 200]] in 1937.<ref name=ClassicScout /> Despite the introduction of the Sport Scout, the Standard Scout remained in production until 1937.<ref name=FranklinIndians />
In 1940 The Sprt Scout gained full-skirt fenders, a lower seat height and increased fork rake, and in 1941 Indian added plunger-style rear suspension.<ref name="McQueen Sport Scout" />
In 1940 The Sport Scout gained full-skirt fenders, a lower seat height and increased fork rake, and in 1941 Indian added plunger-style rear suspension.<ref name="McQueen Sport Scout" />
[[File:1942 Indian Scout 500cc v twin 2.jpg|thumb|1942 military Indian Scout]]
[[File:1942 Indian Scout 500cc v twin 2.jpg|thumb|1942 military Indian Scout]]
Many Scouts were used in the Second World War. The most common military version was known as the 741, which was its VIN designation. Despite this the Scout was dropped when the civilian production restarted in 1946 because, although engineering work was done on a Model 647 Scout, this was abandoned in favor of developing a completely new line of lightweight single-cylinder and vertical-twin motorcycles (of which the latter initially bore the name "Scout").<ref name=IndianScout>{{cite book| first1 = Jerry| last1 = Hatfield | title = Indian Scout| year = 2001| publisher = Motorbooks International | isbn =0-7603-0813-6| page = | pages =106–108 | nopp = | at = | chapter = }}</ref> In 1948, Indian built just 50 units of the Daytona Sports Scout, (The "Big Base" Scout), one of which took Floyd Emde to victory in that year's Daytona 200&nbsp;mile (322&nbsp;km) race.<ref>{{cite book |last=Wilson|first=Hugo |title=The Ultimate Motorcycle Book |edition= |year=1993 |origyear= |publisher=Dorling-Kindersley |location= |isbn=0-7513-0043-8 |page=37 |chapter= }}</ref>
Many Scouts were used in the Second World War. The most common military version was known as the 741, which was its VIN designation. Despite this the Scout was dropped when the civilian production restarted in 1946 because, although engineering work was done on a Model 647 Scout, this was abandoned in favor of developing a completely new line of lightweight single-cylinder and vertical-twin motorcycles (of which the latter initially bore the name "Scout").<ref name=IndianScout>{{cite book| first1 = Jerry| last1 = Hatfield | title = Indian Scout| year = 2001| publisher = Motorbooks International | isbn =0-7603-0813-6| page = | pages =106–108 | nopp = | at = | chapter = }}</ref> In 1948, Indian built just 50 units of the Daytona Sports Scout, (The "Big Base" Scout), one of which took Floyd Emde to victory in that year's Daytona 200&nbsp;mile (322&nbsp;km) race.<ref>{{cite book |last=Wilson|first=Hugo |title=The Ultimate Motorcycle Book |edition= |year=1993 |origyear= |publisher=Dorling-Kindersley |location= |isbn=0-7513-0043-8 |page=37 |chapter= }}</ref>

Revision as of 18:40, 19 April 2013

Scout
1920 Indian Scout
ManufacturerIndian
Production1919–1949
Engine500–745 cc V-twin

The Indian Scout was a motorcycle built by the Indian Motocycle Company from 1920 to 1949. It rivaled the Chief as Indian's most important model.

The first Scouts (1920–1927)

Indian Scout. Model G-20

The Scout was introduced in October 1919 as a 1920 model, with a 606 cc (37 cu in) engine. The engine size was increased to 745 cc (45 cu in) in 1927 in response to the popularity of the Excelsior Super X.[1][2]

101 Scout (1928–1931)

Main article: Indian 101 Scout

The original Scout was replaced in mid 1928 by the Scout Series 101. Designed by Charles B. Franklin, who had designed the original Scout, the 101 Scout had a new frame with more fork rake, a longer wheelbase, and a lower seat height.[2][3] The geometry of the 101 Scout wheelbase, steering head angle and rear sub-frame were all adopted from the new Indian 401 model which was under development at the same time.[4] The Scout had started the 1928 model year as a short-frame model whose main change from 1920-27 Scouts was the addition of a front brake[5]

Later Scouts and demise (1931–1948)

Cost cutting led to Indian designing a new basic frame for 1932 that would form the basis for the Scout, Chief, and Four frames.[4] The 1932 Standard Scout that was based on this new frame[4] was heavier and bulkier than the 101 frame, and was less successful as a result.[1][2] The negative reaction to this Scout led to the creation of the Sport Scout of 1934, with a light frame, Girder forks, improved carburation and alloy cylinder heads.[1] The new Scout was still 15 pounds heavier than the 101 Scout.[6] The Sport Scout won the first Daytona 200 in 1937.[1] Despite the introduction of the Sport Scout, the Standard Scout remained in production until 1937.[4] In 1940 The Sport Scout gained full-skirt fenders, a lower seat height and increased fork rake, and in 1941 Indian added plunger-style rear suspension.[6]

1942 military Indian Scout

Many Scouts were used in the Second World War. The most common military version was known as the 741, which was its VIN designation. Despite this the Scout was dropped when the civilian production restarted in 1946 because, although engineering work was done on a Model 647 Scout, this was abandoned in favor of developing a completely new line of lightweight single-cylinder and vertical-twin motorcycles (of which the latter initially bore the name "Scout").[5] In 1948, Indian built just 50 units of the Daytona Sports Scout, (The "Big Base" Scout), one of which took Floyd Emde to victory in that year's Daytona 200 mile (322 km) race.[7]

Smaller 500 cc (31 cu in) Scouts were also built between 1932 and 1941, known as the Pony Scout, Junior Scout and Thirty-Fifty.[8]

Land speed records

Replica of Burt Munro's 1920 Indian Scout as modified for his record attempts in 1962

Between 1962 and 1967, New Zealander Burt Munro used a modified 1920s Indian Scout to set a number of land speed records, as dramatised in the 2005 film The World's Fastest Indian.

"Gilroy" Indian Scout

2001-2003 Indian Scout[9][10]
ManufacturerIndian Motorcycle Company of America
AssemblyGilroy, California
Engine88 cu in (1,440 cm3) 45° S&S V-twin engine
Bore / stroke3.625 in × 4.25 in (92.1 mm × 108.0 mm)
Ignition typecomputer-controlled electronic
Transmission5-speed foot shift
SuspensionFront: 41 mm telescopic forks
Rear:
Rake, trail32°, 5.25 in (133 mm)
Wheelbase67 in (1,700 mm)
Seat height26.5 in (670 mm)
RelatedIndian Chief,
Indian Spirit

The Indian Motorcycle Company of America, based in Gilroy, California, built a Scout model from 2001 up to their bankruptcy in 2003.[11][12]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Johnstone, Gary (1993). "Union Pacific Meets Roy Rogers". Classic Motorcycles. Tiger Books International. pp. 46–47. ISBN 1-85501-731-8.
  2. ^ a b c Wilson, Hugo (1995). "The A-Z of Motorcycles". The Encyclopedia of the Motorcycle (in UK English). London: Dorling Kindersley. pp. 104–105. ISBN 0-7513-0206-6. When Excelsior created the 45cu. in. class with the introduction of its Super X model in 1925 (see p.59), Indian responded with a bored and stroked 45cu. in. version of the Scout, introduced alongside the original model in 1927.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  3. ^ "1929 Indian 101 Scout". AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. American Motorcyclist Association. Archived from the original on 2012-09-20. Retrieved 2011-07-09. It incorporated a number of changes prompted by real-world racetrack experience with the original Scout, including a stronger frame, better suspension and steering, a 3-inch increase in wheelbase, increased fork rake, a low, 26¼-inch seat height, and a front brake. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ a b c d Sucher, Harry V; Pickering, Tim; Diamond, Liam; Havelin, Harry (2011). Franklin's Indians: Irish motorcycle racer Charles B Franklin, designer of the Indian Scout & Chief. Panther Publishing. p. 291. ISBN 978-0-9564975-5-0. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |nopp= (help)
  5. ^ a b Hatfield, Jerry (2001). Indian Scout. Motorbooks International. p. 32. ISBN 0-7603-0813-6. Cite error: The named reference "IndianScout" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b Williams, Greg (2013). "The Star Power of Steve McQueen's 1942 Indian Sport Scout". Motorcycle Classics. 8 (4). Retrieved 19 April 2013. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  7. ^ Wilson, Hugo (1993). The Ultimate Motorcycle Book. Dorling-Kindersley. p. 37. ISBN 0-7513-0043-8.
  8. ^ Wilson, Hugo (1995). "The A-Z of Motorcycles". The Encyclopedia of the Motorcycle (in UK English). London: Dorling Kindersley. p. 107. ISBN 0-7513-0206-6.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  9. ^ 2001 Indian Scout brochure
  10. ^ 2003 Indian Scout brochure
  11. ^ Minnesota Motorcycle Monthly, May 2001: The Indian Scout - Reborn
  12. ^ New York Times 29 Sept 2003 Business: High Costs Bring Indian Motorcycle to a Halt
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