What Motorcycle

GordoSD · Jul 20, 2013

My Grandfather's lifelong passion for all things mechanical. He started a very early M/C shop out in the black Hill about 1906. He most likely was the force behind the Sturgis Rally as he had one out there then for his farmer buddies from East River.
Here he is on one of his early rides. Sorry about the quality . it was all I could get from a 4th cousin. Anyone know what it is> I do know he always loved the Indians.
I believe this is a 1916. Electric light, parking stand, chain guard and fenders.

37chief · Jul 20, 2013

Don't know what it may be. I think Indian had a pointed tank on each end, so I don't think it is Indian. Up until the mid 20's I heard there were some 200 or so brands of motorcycles. Only Indian, and Harley survived the depression. Then Indian crashed around 1951-2. Someone has started it up again, several times. It is alive and well again. Stan

waltdavies · Jul 20, 2013

I think its a Thor, google Thor motorcycles.
I saw one like it on TV the other day sold for over $100,000
Walt

ben there · Jul 20, 2013

google Terry's Custom in Latham IL...i dont have his number handy but he would be the first i'd call...he restores any and all American bikes...tell him Big Chuck from Tx sent ya

Dr. Walt · Jul 20, 2013

That bicycle looks very similar to the old Road Master that I had as a kid. Mine was a hand-me-down from a neighbor boy who had outgrown it and moved away to College, it had been his fathers before that.

Mike (WA) · Jul 20, 2013

Early Harleys had a cylindrical tank and handlebars like that, I think, but many others may have also.

JD Seller · Jul 21, 2013

(quoted from post at 23:49:00 07/20/13) My Grandfather's lifelong passion for all things mechanical. He started a very early M/C shop out in the black Hill about 1906. He most likely was the force behind the Sturgis Rally as he had one out there then for his farmer buddies from East River.
Here he is on one of his early rides. Sorry about the quality . it was all I could get from a 4th cousin. Anyone know what it is> I do know he always loved the Indians.
I believe this is a 1916. Electric light, parking stand, chain guard and fenders.

Gordo: I believe you are correct in that it is an 1916 Indian Motorcycle. Look at the tool box on top of the fuel tank. Then look at the front fender. It is wider as it gets lower. The earlier Indians front fender was different.

Here is a picture of a 1916 Indian Motorcycle.

Here is picture of a 1912 Indian motorcycle. Note the lever on the left of the fuel tank. Also how the front fender is different.

Also the 1916 Indian was a totally redesigned motorcycle. It was voted the "best Motorcycle of the year" by several publications then.

Here is a link to an article in Forbes about the changes.

http://www.forbes.com/2000/12/18/1218vow.html

GordoSD · Jul 21, 2013

Yes, no doubt now. He had another one with a sidecar made of wicker

What Motorcycle

GordoSD

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37chief

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waltdavies

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ben there

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Dr. Walt

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Mike (WA)

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JD Seller

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GordoSD

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