General Information

Serial #

EA1180

Part Number

1

Total Parts

1

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

TUBULAR STEEL FRAME/ STEEL CLUTCH/ METAL PARTS/ CHROMED HEADLIGHT CASE/ ALLOY ENGINE PARTS/ LEATHER SEAT/ GLASS HEADLIGHT LENS/ RUBBER TIRES, FOOT PADS

Dimensions

Note: These reflect the general size for storage and are not necessarily representative of the object's true dimensions.

Length

238.0 cm

Width

81.3 cm

Height

96.5 cm

Thickness

N/A

Weight

N/A

Diameter

N/A

Volume

N/A

Lexicon

Group

Motorized Ground Transportation

Category

Motorcycle vehicles

Sub-Category

N/A

Manufacturer

AKA

INDIAN

Country

United States of America

State/Province

Massachusetts

City

Springfield

Context

Country

Unknown

State/Province

Unknown

Period

Unknown

Canada

``American motorcycles never challenged the supremacy of the automobile; manufacturers could not compete economically with Henry Ford`s mass-produced Model T. After boom years in the early 1890s, the motorcycle market contracted rapidly and by the 1920s only three major manufacturers remainds, of which Indian was the largest. When Excelsior stopped production in 1931, Harley-Davidson and Indian were left. At that time, Indians were considered to have the better design, and Harleys to be the more reliable bike; riders were fiercly loyal to their chosen brand. Indian`s founders had left by 1916 and ownership changed several times. For a while, Indian was part of the group that owned the Du Pont paint company, a factor which influenced color schemes used for the bikes.`` (Huge Wilson, ``The Ultimate Motorcycle Book``, 36.) There were four prominent four-cylinder American motorcycles in the early part of the century (1927-1935): the Pierce, the Cleveland, the Henderson and the Ace. The Henderson brothers worked in the Excelsior-Henderson organization for a couple of years, and then left to design and produce the Ace. In 1927 Indian obtained the right to the ACE motorcycle, adding a four-cylinder machine to their range.Despite the low demand for luxury motorcycles during the Great Depression, Indian not only continued production for the Four (Cleveland and Henderson had ceased their production in 1931), but continued to develop the motorcycle. They advertised the Four 402 as the "Modern Roman Chariot". (L07613) One of the less popular versions of the Four was the "upside down" engine on the 1936-1937 models that consisted of a unique exhaust over-intake (exhaust valve in the cylinder head and the intake valve in the block) cylinder head. While in theory, this was said to improve fuel vaporization and be more powerful, the new system made the cylinder, and the rider's inseam, very hot and required the exhaust valvetrain to be frequently adjusted. As a result, sales of the Inadian Four dropped. The introduction of dual carburetors in 1937 did not revive sales or interest in this motorcycle. The design was returned to the original configuration in 1938. Fours were expensive to build and investment in them, rather than V-twins, contributed to Indian's demise. The Indian Four was discontinued in 1942.

Function

GENERAL TRANSPORTATION

Technical

By 1929, the Indian 402 had a stronger twin-downtube frame based on that of the 101 Scout and a sturdier five-bearing crankshaft than the Ace, which had a three-bearing crankshaft. All Aces, Indian Aces and Indian Fours from 1920 through 1937, featured exposed pushrods. Unfortunately, the standard pushrod arrangement resulted in dirt being ingested into the engine, where it formed a lapping compound and greatly accelerated wear, plugged up oil passages, and insured oil seepage onto the exterior of the engine. The 1930 Indian 402 has the following specifications: Engine: In-line inlet-over-exhaust four cylinder. Capacity: 1265 cc. Power: Output 30bhp. Transmission: Three-speed handchange bearbox, chain drive. Frame: Tubular steel cradle. Suspension: Leaf-sprung trailing-link forks, rigid rear. Weight 455 lb. Top speed: 121km/h. Indian promoted the Four 402 as having many imrpovements, "Among the improvements in the Indian 4 for 1930 is a sturdier transmission, with heavier gears and heavier main shaft. A new clutch - all steel - makes for smoother clutch action and longer clutch life. Other improvements are heavier sprokes in front and in side car wheels, and the new Indian headlight. Detachable tail light wire of armored flexible cable is also new. With chromium plated parts at all important points, and a general improvment in finish, the Improved Indian 4 is a splendid vehicle." (L07613)

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

STAMPED INTO FRAME AT REAR AXLE LOWER LEFT IS: `3509'/ STAMPED INTO ENGINE CASE ON LEFT IS: `EA1180'/ STAMPED TWICE INTO ENGINE CASE ON RIGHT REAR IS: `1225'/ STAMPED INTO FRAME BELOW SEAT ON LEFT IS: `36C-2'/ STAMPED INTO RIGHT REAR FRAME IS: `36B10'/ MFR DECAL ON BOTH SIDES OF FUEL TANK READS: `Indian 4'/ `Indian' DECAL ON TOOL BOX/ ON PLATE ON LEFT SIDE ENGINE PART IS: `NS 4-2588'

Missing

GENERATOR, GEAR SHIFT LINKAGE, THROTTLE CABLE, BATTERY BOX, MOST WIRING; POSSIBLY MORE

Finish

FRAME, FORKS, HANDLE BARS, WHEEL RIMS ALL PIANTED BLACK/ FRONT & REAR FENDER & RUEL TANK PAINTED RED/ TAN SEAT/ CHROMED HEADLIGHT CASE/ BLACK TIRES, FOOT PADS

Decoration

2 BLACK PINSTRIPE LINES RUNAROUND EXTERIOR OF FRONT FENDER/ 2 BLACK PINSTRIPE LINES FORM PANEL ON FUEL TANK