Indian Prince 350cc-1926-28---- Intended as an entry-level motorcycle, the Prince was promoted with the slogan "You can learn to ride it in five minutes." Of course, Indian hoped those lured into motorcycling by the amiable Prince would return to buy a larger, more expensive Indian Chief, or perhaps the soon-to-be-released inline-four model. With its 21-cubic-inch flathead single and manageable 265-pound curb weight, the Prince made an ideal first motorcycle. Like most others of the period, it had a spring-mounted seat to make up for the lack of rear suspension. In front, girder-style forks compressed a coil spring to provide a nominal amount of suspension travel. Also common for the era was the three-speed transmission and single drum brake fitted to the rear wheel. A number of improvements marked the 1926 edition of The Prince. Most noticeable was the European-inspired rounded fuel tank that replaced the wedge-shaped tank used earlier. A redesigned saddle lowered the seat height a few inches, and handlebars were lengthened to reduce the long reach to the grips
Recently visited the Wheels Through Time Museum, took a ton of pictures, here are a few. If you’ve never been, well worth a visit. We went in fall, the colors in Maggie Valley were amazing, easy to coordinate with the Cherokee Rod Run too. Cool part, it’s a running museum and they just randomly fire up a bike and Dales son will discuss the history of the bike and where they found it.
I love how they all have a drip pan under them. I gotta see that place in person, a friend went a few years back and almost didn’t come home. Awesome photos, thanks for sharing!
In 1912 J. F. Kettering introduced the electric starter for the automobile and by 1913 they were fairly common. The idea for an electric start motorcycle was thought to be an important innovation. George Hendee was determined to build an electric start Indian which he did and a model was offered for sale in 1914. Only around 350 were built and the operation was problematic from the start because of weak batteries. Furthermore, the rough roads quickly damaged the batteries as well. The motorcycles did not work well and all but one were converted back to kick-start models. In 1981 there were only two known examples to exist and both had been converted back to the original kick-start system. The electric start models could be identified by several minor parts attached to the frame to hold the starter motor. Sometime after the mid-1980 a complete, still in the crate, electric start Indian was found in Europe and is the only one known to exist as a complete unaltered electric start Indian. The man in the picture above is Harry Sucher, the author of "The Iron Redskin," one of the earliest complete histories of the Indian motorcycle
Yes, Mr Potter must have feared no machine! ^ Bike #3 painted on that one. Also note the chromed canister filter housing.
I suppose people do crazier shit nowdays, but back then, for a 16 year old motorhead, he was truly inspiring.
Three color Silkscreen Art Hello, When we were in our college classes, the requirements were tedious and repetitive. The classes that held my attention were the Art Metal class and the myriad of Photography Classes. I am kind of a hands on person and as a 20 something, it was a new horizon with art all rolled into a couple of fantastic classes. If I could have stayed in those classes, it would have been a fabulous college curriculum. No tedious dribble coming from a lecture hall or even in a small class with a podium. It was pure hands on work and learning “how to” in each class. In the Art Metal class, I learned to spin aluminum to try and make my versions of Moon Discs for a wall decoration, among other projects. In the early to advanced photo classes, I learned plenty of ways to make photos clear and develop them to the best possible way at the time. Dark room work was tedious, but the end result was outstanding as far as ideas, results and products for future use. In the surfing world, printed t-shirts were a thing that everyone wanted, whether being a surfer was a thing or heavily involved with manufacturers, shapers, or surf shops. Custom t-shirts, sweatshirts were part of the total package for most shops and surfers. In the photo class, I learned how to take a photo and make it into a silk screen image in various layers. Deep, middle and center front images all had their layers to silk screen. When the image is in any single layer, it was nice enough by itself, with the chosen colors. But, when the total project is carefully aligned and pin pointed to the correct spacing, the finished project is/was pretty satisfying. Jnaki I had taken a photo of a friend’s 650 cc custom Triumph. In living color, up against an old wooden building wall. The color on the Triumph was multiple colors in a wild scallop pattern. But in the processing, the patterns melded together. The custom motorcycle had just been modified from the custom Ceriani Forks to a new style Girder front end in the longer raked look. It was one of the best looking custom motorcycles and it stood out at the next car/motorcycle show that was at the Long Beach Sports Arena. The build went from a low slung, full suspension, track racer style motorcycle with short handlebars to a full rigid frame custom motorcycle for show and style. YRMV
I took one of the Ironheads out today. Dropped the summbitch coming back in the gravel driveway. No girls saw me do it, though, so everything okay.
Ann Margret Hello, One year, our dad took us to Las Vegas to stay for New Year’s Eve and the New Year’s Day, before flying back home. His plan was to allow us to see where he and my mom always stayed and watched those fabulous dinner shows, live and in person. Plus, since his favorite college football teams were not in any bowl that particular year, it was a free weekend holiday for he and my mom. She liked it because she did not have to cook and clean the house. Ha! A 1940’s-60’s housewife/mom in their free days. Since my wife and I were in our own world, my mom no longer had to worry about her “little one.” Despite the fact that she only came up to my shoulder. So, she was in free style heaven with no cooking and an endless menu of good meals from morning to night. She also like the slot machines to no end… Jnaki Our dad's mysterious friend in downtown Los Angeles, got access for us to attend a sold out dinner show at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas. They were not just access, but taken to the front row tables at the Ann Margret dinner show. My wife and I were surprised that we were able to sit so close to the stage and walk out platform into the audience’s tables. Talk about being up close and personal. The dinner was pretty good and the atmosphere was unusual for us. It was a lot of pizazz and showmanship all around. When Ann Margret came on stage, it was like the distance was 3 feet away from our table. She was flawless and nice looking. My wife kept poking me as I was staring. But, it was all in good times for this vacation. We had never been to a dinner show, let alone Las Vegas proper. So, it was a new thing. We were totally surprised when Ann Margret was singing and dancing, then she stepped down to our dinner table level to reach out and touch my chin as part of her singing act. She did look fabulous up close with a lot of makeup that is normally not seen from a distance or on TV shows. But, that did not detract me from enjoying the moment of embarrassment at the commotion and bright spotlight shining in my face. My wife was smiling and my mom was aghast at what her “little boy” was going through! Poor me… The fun thing was, we were just married and living a simple lifestyle. This was not a simple way to live in all of the glitz and glamour. We enjoyed the fruits of the experience and one good thing came of it. Our dad was a great card player and as we watched him play from afar, he kept winning and winning at Blackjack. So, several hours later, as we said good night, he slipped us several hundred dollars, much to our surprise. My mom said that he won big time as usual and gave us some extra stuff. We were playing the nickel slot machines, as that was our speed of enjoyment. YRMV NOTE: She can ride a Motoguzzi, despite it being a large motorcycle. Perhaps not dressed like the above photo.
Hello, In the 1970-71 season, the custom motorcycles were lumped into the local car show at the Long Beach Sports Arena. Then as more custom bikes applied for the few show slots available, the next series of the custom motorcycles got their own floor. The circular wide walkway all around the outside of the 2nd floor. The hot rods and custom car were on the main, wide floor on the first doorway level. Then the motorcycles were given the spaces on the 2nd floor. But, early on in 1970, the custom motorcycles were interspersed between the custom cars and displays on the main floor. That was nice, but as shows go, their own floor seemed better as only the enthusiasts attended the 2nd floor and were interested in the builds. The drop in spectators for the custom cars on the main floor, were only interested in seeing hot rods. When they saw a custom motorcycle, they just nodded their heads like bobbing heads and moved on to the next hot rod display. Typical show attendee. Jnaki When set up day started on Thursday morning, and lasted until Friday afternoon, it was the best time to show up get to talk to the owners and builders. Show time was just that, finishing the display was the main concern and they all were beaming at the sight of people admiring the displays. Thursday, they were willing to talk about the builds and set up photo appointments. At the time, the big thing was … “to be different, like everyone else.” So, an abundance of springer front forks and the popular coffin gas tank was seen. Then some went a little farther and gold plated some highlights on the whole custom bike, including the springs and other items. This Triumph 650 model knew he had to do something to compete with custom Harley accessories and builds, so he went all out to impress the judges. For those that are not familiar with the springer front end, handling the steering is not the same as a normal straight fork (Ceriani style) front suspension. The normal bike front end has a direct steer and feels comfortable in normal driving. But, the advantage as the long front end folks said was that when balanced and trued, one could let go of the handlebars and the custom motorcycles would track straight as an arrow. But, in slow going, city traffic, or stops on the highway, one had to be certain a strong grip was on the handlebars. The whole extended front end tended to flop over if the weight shifted to one side or the other. I was given my turn on a Harley with a long girder front end and one with a long springer front end. To me, both tires flopped over to one side when standing still, with one hand on the grip and one let go of the handlebars. But, the owners assured me that at speed, the long front end tracked straight. They were mostly heavy steel bars, not hollow tubes. YRMV
With all due respect @jnaki, and not to cause a major controversy, if engineered correctly the bikes with long front ends will work at any speed. Case in point is my '55 Panhead with a Denver's front springer assembly and frame. It worked just going down Beach Blvd or going to Laughlin. I have had Denver's wishbone frame, Straight legs, and a trike and none had the notorious wheel flop. AEE Choppers, who started out in Buena Park on Manchester Ave, had a front end that used no neck modifications but instead had raked triple trees would be a hazard.
I have an extra AMF Ironhead, (actually a little too new for here), which runs sweet and the gearbox is smooth. But now I'm 73 and I hung her from the ceiling cause I ain't ever gonna kick start her again.
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