Early brakes 1923 -1928

In 1923 Indian released the new Chief (1000cc) and the Big Chief (1200cc) a completely new design which became the starting point for one of its most successful models. The 1923 and 1924 had a rear only expanding shoe and band brake of 6.5 inches O.D. There were no front brakes fitted to the Chief or Big Chief travelling mostly on dirt roads it seems brakes were not a big priority then. For 1925 the external band brake of 7.0′ O.D was fitted and the internal expanding shoe was removed. This continued for 1926 and 1927.  1928. The authorities in Australia refused import to these machines until 2 brakes were fitted so an export auxillary secondary brake was fitted. (I believe only on Australian bikes but maybe other countries) the auxillary secondary brake consisted of a single sided shoe brake operated from the front handlebars operating inside of the standard rear external band brake. It seems this brake shoe is common also to the 1927-1928 Early Scouts and the 101s of this time as it was a 7.0′ outside diameter. On investigation it appears the basic shoes are all from the same casting albeit machined slightly differently. Finally in 1928 the 101 scout was launched with drum brakes at the front and the rear similarly in late 1928 a conventional front and rear expanding drum brake was finally fitted to the Chief as well. Its a well known fact the Indian Motorcycle did tend to use up remaining sub assemblies so characteristically we can use these dates loosely. There were also a large number of interchangeable parts in the wheel area so over the years many of these parts, particularly brakes have been swapped over to keep the bikes running so don’t be alarmed if your own bike is different to the above. Sadly these parts are becoming all but impossible to locate however with some help from friends within the industry i located one of the brake shoes complete and we have now managed to make the shoe casting. This is already available for sale and hopefully it will help Australian Scout and Chief owners to keep their brakes working as its a relatively simple matter to machine and friction line these brake shoes. I would like to thank Chris Knoop for his valuable insight to these rapidly changing specifications on the old model Indians.

 Zorro’s

PO Box 5118

Mordialloc VIC 3195

E: sales@zorros.net.au

W: www.zorros.net.au

Pictured the new brake assembly for both the 1939/45 twin leading shoe front brake now available, and of course the later 1946/53 version which I have had in production now over 2 years. The late version is $1,500 or and the new billet CNC 1939/45 version is $2,200 to members or $2495 retail, both versions come with a new cast-iron drum and yes you use your existing wheel no real permanent modifications to your machine which can be returned to stock if necessary in under 1/2 hour. These brake plates and drums are all Aussie now guaranteeing excellent quality. Available to order direct from Phil Pilgrim or Mark at Zorro’s 0433 106669

Nearly 5 years ago the IIRA decided that a website would encourage news about Indians and new memberships, we had the basis already in place after I personally organized it for a similar club that zeroed the idea for another three years. Anyway it went live in August 2010 and slowly it has grown, if you would have told me that in another 5 years Indians would be back on the market and sold in a retail store in Melbourne as well as around the world I believe that I would have been sceptical but that’s whats happened or we would have a healthy membership participating in four major rallies a year and a better than 10% turn out at monthly runs I would view it as successful so I’m happy. The next rally is our Spring Rally the Crazy Horse Rally at Corryong and as I have posted the details above now is the time to book in at Mountain View Motel, within days I will have the entry forms posted and please pay into our new rally account, details above. So what happens after 1 million hits, well after that number someone else can take the job so you have been warned, on the average thats around 12 months away start thinking about the job now.

 

Things that may have saved Harley, the Harley snow ski, the Harley caravan and Harley boat, and the Harley mobile golf cart, all sold from the late fifties to the seventies, diversification is what they need now to keep up with the Polaris Victory-Indian group which motorcycles only account for 4% of their profit margin. The strange thing is they had the opportunity to buy the Indian Trademark and bury it but thought Indian would never be a threat again I bet they regret that decision. I like the cartoon I bet a few can relate to it

 

After about 18 months Chris Horner has a right to be happy with the Kiwi-Indian framed bobber as it’s ready to roll. Although the engine is a 1942-44 Chief with a Timmerman electric starter fitted basically all the rest is a brand new motorcycle