Indian Motorcycle History
 

So when my grandmother passed, she left me this blueprint of an Indian Motorcycle. I knew it might be worth something but I had no idea. Currently I am working out a deal with Bonham's and Butterfield's auction house where they will sell it. They are going to bring in the top motorcycle collectors to bid on this. After doing some research it turns out there is VERY little documentation, authentic blueprints or other specs with the 1901 Indian Single. For those who aren't in tune with motorcycle history, this is basically the invention that gave birth to an entire industry and it seems I have possibly one of the only blueprints of it in known existance. Where you got it you ask? My grandmother as stated before. She got it from her father who received it from another family member. My grandmother wanted it not because of the print but rather the frame itself and it sat for over 50 years in my grandmothers antique room in her basement. Dark and humidity controlled. It's probably the only reason it is still in the shape it is today. Cyanotype printing, aka blueprinting, especially in the early years was very suseptable to natual light.

Here is the print as well as an old image I found of a 1901 Indian and Oscar Hedstrom, one of the founders of Indian Motocycles.

My print
http://www.hopsports.com/jon/1901IndianWeb.jpg

Oscar Hedstrom and a 1901 Indian
http://www.hopsports.com/jon/indianhedstrom.jpg

The Curator from the Motorcycle Museum asked me to donate it to them so it could be shared with the world since he thought it was a significatn piece of history. My thought is, let a millionaire collector buy it and ask him to donate it! My grandmother would have wanted me to have the money!

Call up Jay Leno

give me a ballpark figure what you are looking for.

Actually, Jay Leno is one of their top buyers. That would be kinda cool to sell it to him.


Grumpy,
I have no idea what it is worth, therefore I don't know what to ask. I have inquired a bit with some of the people at some of the Indian Motorcycle forums and have already been offered 30k contingent of authenticity.

Now working with the experts in this sort of thing, it isn't a matter of authenticity but rather gauging the demand for it. They did tell me I was smart not to let it go for 30k

He's not an Indian!

But he did give birth to one!:winkwink:

It wasn't this museum was it?

http://www.nationalmcmuseum.org/

I was working with the curator from this museum but he stopped helping me the moment I told him I had no intention of donating the item to his museum.

Well stay away from this place. Not sure how much of a museum it is. I worked for the "director". He owns most of the displays. The rest are on loan. When he was elected director, the museum was in space he donated at a building he owned in Sturgis. At that point he said he was moving it to more donated space in Anamosa, IA. Or they could start paying rent. So the board really had no choice.

He's not a real stand up guy.

that sucks

Yeah it does. But, at the same time there wasn't anything in it for him now so I understand. He isn't going to bend over backwards to put money in my pocket. Now the auction house would get 26% if they sold it so of course they have been more than helpful!

that seriously rocks :thumbsup

I've been to the old Indian factory for a rendezvous event with some of the best running examples still in existence. My cousin has a '46 Chief but I'm partial to the old b0ard trackers.

(I had to edit this, cuz GFY doesn't like the proper term for the bike as it's used by a company that makes forum scanning products)

I love the piece you have there, but it's definitely more in Leno's price range.

Wow, that's amazing. I think it should cost much, much more than 30k. You just need to find the right place to sell it to.

Well I will keep you guys posted on how it does! part of me just wants to put it on EBay for a reserve of 200k, then again I really have no idea what its worth just yet. I could be way to high or way too low. I guess I will know soon enough!

I guess I misinterpreted what you just said. Are you suggesting that Indian was the first motorcycle?

Thats a fantastic find dude, I sure would like to know what it's worth but I'm not sure I would sell it though, perhaps i'd loan it to a museum.

Warden, I have requested ICQ authorization. I can make a call if you would like me to to possibly get you an estimate or possible buyer

Hey Baddog, Just got back to my desk. You've been authorized!

Well technically engineers had been trying to invent motorized transport for many years whether it was motorized carriage or motorized bicycle. I think there was a few gas powered motorcycles in the very late 1800's but it wasn't until Indian started that the technology was safe enough to start mass production. Throttling, braking, clutching etc. From what I have gathered, Orient-Aster is credited with designing the first motorcycle, however Indian is credited with developing the first dependable production bike. Keep in mind, this is just to the best of my knowledge.

Well, since Henry Ford had not come up with the assembly line idea until 1907 or 1908 I don't think they can take credit for that.

Although, admittedly, Indian did have some pretty major advances over the H-D of the era.

Awesome piece of history there dude. I hope you'll find a rich buyer for that. :pimp

You and I both!!!!:winkwink:

awesome!

thats very good and intresting!