INDIAN MOTORCYCLE, 1902 

 Gift of the Indian Motocyde Co. in 1930 (USNM 309934) 



The design of this maehine (fig. 63) was conceived in 

 1901 by the noted bicycle racer Oscar Hedstrom for the 

 Hendee Manufacturing Co., of Springfield, Mass., later to 

 be known as the Indian Motocycle Co. This machine was 

 made in 1902, the year that the model was first offered for 

 sale. The engine number is 150. 



The motorcycle is equipped with a 1 %-horsepower, 

 1 -cylinder, 4-cycle, air-cooled, gasoline engine with an 

 automatic intake valve and a cam-actuated exhaust valve. 

 Dry cells, a coil, a timer, and a spark plug compose the 

 ignition system, the timer being advanced and retarded by 

 a small lever at the front of the frame on the steering head. 

 This lever was used also for the compression release, lifting 

 the exhaust valve from its seat when moved to the retarded 

 position, and as an ignition switch. Another lever, on the 

 frame cross bar, is designed for the fuel adjustment. 



A float-equipped Hedstrom carburetor was supplied with 

 gasoline from the tank on the rear fender. A section of 

 the tank contained oil, which flowed by gravity through a 

 sight glass into the crankcase. A small exhaust pipe leads 

 to a muffler beneath the crankcase. 



Power was transmitted from the engine to the rear wheel 

 by a double-reduction sprocket-and-chain drive on the left 

 side of the frame. As the machine has no clutch or 

 change gear, the engine is connected to the wheel at all 

 times. A pedal-and-chain drive, incorporating a New 

 Departure coaster brake, is provided on the right side to 

 supplement the engine. The brake is engaged by slight 

 backward pressure on the pedals. The pedals remained at 

 rest when the engine was propelling the machine. 



The diamond frame is of tubular construction, the 

 wooden-rimmed wheels mount 28-by-l 1 / / 2-inch, single-tube, 

 pneumatic tires, and the complete machine weighs just 

 under 100 pounds. 



85 



