1927 witnessed the rise of Indian Motorcycle with three products from its line the Indian Scout, the Indian Chief and the Indian Ace. They made a major impact and besides they acquired the assets of the Ace Motorcycle Company which got them the name of Indian Four.
The year’27 saw the production of the first all-talking motion picture, The Jazz Singer, starring Al Jolson. It was also the year Charles Lindbergh reached Paris after his successful trans-Atlantic flight, and the year Babe Ruth hit his 60th home run in the 8th inning of a game between New York and Washington. The beating that came after Ruth in the line-up was a man by the name of Louis Gehrig.
Though farmers were facing a tough year – tough enough that many of them sold out and became tenant farmers, America was at the peak of the Jazz Age in’27. The Indian Motorcycle Company was having a fine year as well.
In this year Indian Motorcycle models like Scout and Chief were at the top and selling exceptionally well. Indian motorcycle also came up with “Indian Ace” after they acquired the assets of the Ace Company. This top line big and luxurious bike with four cylinders was called Indian Four after one year.
Indian Four bike from the Indian Motorcycle was built till’42. Initially known as Indian Ace this bike got 77 cubic inch (1,256 cc) four cylinder machine in’41. It was fitted with tank-shifting three speed transmission and famous Indian fender. After’42 with the start of World War II the production of Indian four was stopped altogether.
In’27 Indian Motorcycle became synonymous with America. The maximum supply of the Scout and Chief were to the police department. The requirement increased so much that Indian Motorcycle had to have a separate branch dealing with it. Indian Motorcycle also worked upon to lower the frame of the bike in’27.
But they probably didn’t know just how important the 101 Scout from the year’28 would be. And in’27 they could hardly know that 40 years into the future an Indian motorcycle would set an Under-1000 cc speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats in northwest Utah.
A’27 Indian Motorcycle is a rare find today. The few specimens that have been tenderly restored to the attractive machines they started out as can sell for as much as $30,000. Clearly,’27 was a great year for the Indian Motorcycle Company.
The 1927 Indian motorbike is affectionately remembered by true motorcycle lovers around the world. If you are thinking of purchasing an Indian, check out this page on Indian motorbike dealers.
