engineering and design at its finest.

[Craiggo]

This almost inspires me to build a tribute to itself.
http://silodrome.com/indian-boardtrack-motorcycle/

ya know what, I may just do that.... :wink:

 

[jwm]

1000 cc's!
I'm sure it wasn't fast by modern standards, but I can just imagine a motor that big on that light rigid frame. Torque. Vibration. Noise. Imagine throwing hat thing into a turn with a pack of bikes crowded elbow to elbow- 60+ mph, and a leather hat for a helmet.
That's some hairball bikin'!

JWM

 

[Carbon]

Thats just bad to the bone, engine sure looks small to have that kind of displacement. Thats a good ole white nuckle ride for sure, I think theres one over in builds right now under construction, Australian member I believe.

 

[expjawa]

I've posted this before. But, it's relevent and impresses me enough to post again here:

Glenn Curtiss started building motorcycles the same year as Indian, and was already an established bicycle builder/racer at the time. In 1907, he became the "Fastest Man on Earth", with this 4000cc V8 bike - 136 MPH on Ormond Beach. In 1907.

 

[gcrank1]

4K cc's
Them ol' boys had 'no limits' thinkin'!

 

[expjawa]

4K cc's
Them ol' boys had 'no limits' thinkin'!

Well, that and the engine was developed for aircraft use. Curtiss just needed a ground-based test bed. But that's the kind of engineer - and crazy person - he was (also see his "Wind Wagon" used for propeller testing)... :mrgreen: Really, though, I've come to think that 100 years ago, bicycle and motorcycle racing were essentially extreme sports. They're common place today, but at the time, they were the equivalent of the X-games.