1940 Indian Four with the Sidecar - Jay Leno's Garage

[@trobnova]

I remember in 1947,when I was in second grade on a cold winter day, huddling with my friend in an Indian motorcycle-sidecar as his Dad drove us to school.

[@TheAnnoyingBoss]

It would be cool if indian did a scout with a straight 4 and a sidecar today. Wed have a rea disdecar bike that isnt that junk ural 😂

[@RayTeerlink]

@@TheAnnoyingBoss recently saw an HD at a bike show with an aftermarket side car made to match the bike. He had it made to haul his dog with him and said it cost him like $25k to get it made.

[@unshdhGbzbs]

You would've been pushing 80 when you commented this, probably not kicking around anymore, huh?

[@richardmcginnis5344]

my grandfather invented and patented the drive chain tensioner at indian in springfield. he was also one of the first to go from westfield mass to daytona on an excelsior in 1928

[@howabouthetruth2157]

Hey, that's really cool Richard. Do ya have any old photo's from those times & places from your Grandfather? Those would be a treasure........for those of us who dig the old days, anyway. Cheers & God Bless-

[@emsnewssupkis6453]

Richard, you should contact Jay Leno and talk to him.

[@rubenson9653]

Liar it was my grandpa that invented it.

[@richardmcginnis5344]

@@howabouthetruth2157 i actually have a newspaper photo of him and his brother in law riding down to daytona to work on the canals when they were building them i just don't know how to get it into the conversation. i used it for my facebook picture for a while then changed it

[@howabouthetruth2157]

@@richardmcginnis5344 Sorry, I can't help ya with getting that posted either. Sounds really cool though.

[@karaDee2363]

I was born and raised in Springfield Massachusetts and remember the old Indian Motorcycle Factory which they tore half of it down and turn the rest into condo Apartments LOL Absolutely love this motorcycle, it's beautiful. Thanks Jay💕

[@YZ250W1]

Thanks Jay for showing us all your cool stuff. Love this bike!

[@waynehoward9535]

Hey Jay: Great video and bike What a great story and background for the bike. Wayne Howard

[@linovieira5260]

this channel is what makes monday the best day of the week see you next week thanks

[@thenewnormal8853]

I could listen to you talk about cars and motorcycles all day. You remind me of my Father he was quite a guy and belonged to ATHS (antique truck historical society) he did a lot of the paint/body and fab work for other members. If they couldn't find a replacement part my dad would track it down or make it himself. We went to all the swap meets up and down the West Coast as if we were treasure hunters in search of rusty goodness. Watching this channel reminds me of all the wonderful years I spent with my father working in the shop so I'd like to say thank you for that Jay

[@mws3779]

I love the old tour's. She's a beauty. Very, Art Deco. Being born and raised in Milwaukee I hope I don't incur the wrath of Harley Owners. You are so lucky Jay, keep preserving the history.

[@drogoscg1]

I'm completely jealous of that bike.

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

Not sure one can be jealous of a machine. Envious of Jay, sure, but not a motorcycle.

[@southpawdj]

@7A Maybe they want Jay to sit on and/or ride them? Hey, we are living in new times. You be the motorcycle you always wanted to be.

[@ClayLoomis1958]

Leaves a spot of oil for someone else to clean up. Good ole Jay, insuring job security for the clean up guy.

[@skunkhollow1]

Hahaha, that part cracked me up

[@claudreindl7275]

Clay Loomis //// The oil looked really black to me. Time for a change?

[@ClayLoomis1958]

They must have blackened it for the camera to see. My guess is, Jay doesn't have a single dirty drop of oil in any vehicle he owns.

[@claudreindl7275]

Classic bull nose on the sidecar. I wonder who copied who wrt autos with similar design.

[@mattlourer9692]

I bet Jay takes care of his employees.

[@tomedgar4375]

Thanks for this series Jay, love the videos

[@doncox5639]

I'm not a big motor bike guy but i love the old ones. thanks Jay we for all the time you spend showing the videos.

[@congospruce]

What a beautiful bike, and an awesome vintage piece of Americana motorcycling. What I love about Jay is that he's a true gear-head and is really knowledgeable. I almost always learn something new with each video, even though I'm a 50 year old gear-head raised by a bus mechanic by day, and a car/train/cycle/steam engine fanatic from birth.

[@JohnSmith-fb7nz]

Jay, I'm a sidecar guy from way back, speedway, trials, enduro. You handle that thing with just a nod to the oddity of motorcycle/sidecar combo. Me thinks yous a natural. My first sidecar was homemade, stitched to a honda xr500a in 79 and me and a mate rode it fully around the south island of nz during the school holidays of that year. Fukn beautiful.

[@jamesellsworth9673]

My father had an Indian Chief with sidecar from the early 1940's when I was in sixth grade. It was great to see your bike and to remember the flowing Art Deco lines of the whole thing. The sidecar attachment always looked 'industrial strength' to me. It was a real disconnect from the flowing lines of the body work. We did not have a windscreen on our sidecar. When your camera man got in and showed some footage, the bouncing ride from the car's suspension brought back memories. Thanks for a great episode.

[@rjprescott4742]

The first time I rode a sidehack I ended up on my neighbors lawn. Remember you could order an Indian in any color that was in the DuPont paint paint catalog, so no one can say the color is wrong. These are some of the reasons I love the pre-war Indians.

[@gizmothewytchdoktor1049]

"uncle frank" had one when i was a kid. one of the first engines i got to work on once i had the basics down pat. pulling maintenance was a day long chore with the clean up ;-). never had a problem with overheating. he ran kendall racing oil in it and if i remember correctly...50wt. it was an old bike back in the 60's but was well taken care of.

[@jameschristiansson3137]

With a name like Edison-Splitsdorf, that magneto's got to be good.

[@dylanmccallister1888]

@7A like the jam?

[@wolfmanradio]

Hang in there Jay. Sometimes we all hit a streak of bum-luck. Wishing you a speedy recovery… again. Hope the bike makes it through, too.

[@challengerbrant]

I'd love to surprise my dad with a trip to Jay's garage, simply to meet him. We both recognize him for good conversation. Like a wealth of information presented on page one. ha ha. Car guys are car guys. I'm 40 and realize now, I've been so obsessed with cars since I was like 6. My dad has supported my energy for cars and has always found answers to my questions. I appreciate that now that I'm older. My dad is older now, and man are we close because of the car scene. I've been blessed with good people surrounding me. Jay is now casting that net far and wide. A good time to be living - special thanks to people like Jay - there's so many of them out there. It's important to learn proper restoration techniques so we can maintain and preserve the process of production when older cars and bikes were produced. that's so exciting!

[@internetkumquat4542]

Motorbikes are a forever trend. Always rode by the same men over countless decades. A grandfather expresses love through bikes as much or more than autocars.And his grandson can do the same. Cheers.

[@nelsong4719]

Been riding for 50 years and some of the most fun was with a sidecar rig namely a 68 Matchless G15 Mk. 2 with a Watsonian sidecar. My father had a 1938 Indian Four with a sidecar when he was only 17 and always said it was his favourite ride. Years ago as a young lad I was lucky enough to meet Sammy Pierce in 1973 in Alhambra Calif. who was still selling rebuilt Indians and known officially as the last Indian dealer had a Indian Four with sidecar in the showroom. Seeing Jay ride that rig brought back a lot of good memories.

[@martincontreras9915]

I really hope that Mr Leno reads this, I want to thank him for sharing all this.

[@wingersdingers]

In the past 3 years, i can absolutely promise you, He has AND will not ever read this......

[@NikolajHansen]

We did make motorcycles with the same philosophy behind it in Europe. But not many. One is the Danish Nimbus. It was also commonly used with a sidecar by the postal service and police departments. Also an inline 4 but with only 750 cc

[@Zonkotron]

The sad thing is really how America and Europe forgot......took the japanese to remember that the 4 stroke inline 4 and vee4 were really the ultimate motorcycle engines....that was in 69 with the CB750. It was only in the 80s that BMW remembered and with the K100/K75 series designed the european inline 4 bike of the 20th century......and america never really caught up till present day.

[@rosicroix777]

The Nimbus vvas a really vvonderfull bike , they never vvere made in great numbers & vvere best used vv/a sidecar . The pressed steel frames vvere ahead of their time as vvell . VVish someone vvould Re-Start Nimbus as a company making inline 4's & keeping their retro look as there is a good & grovving market for retro bikes , just ask Royal Enfeild.

[@rosicroix777]

The Japanese did the same vv/the Monoshock rear suspension ,vvhich vvas a Dutch invention . I can't blame them for doing vvhat they did as it did result in a lot of fantastic bikes.

[@kentallard8852]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nimbus_(motorcycle)#/media/File:Nimbus.jpg ~ that looks pretty cool and like they were inspired by Indian

[@drewswann29]

You're a legend, Jay!

[@Anth230]

Drew Swann Want any butt to go with that kiss???...lmao

[@unclequack5445]

You got to respect Jay Leno He's an expert on all these old vintage hand shift bikes it takes more skill than riding a modern bike.

[@michaeldicker4839]

Brit here, seeing the hand change brought back memories when I was a mechanic in the army during the sixties. I took on an old Vespa scooter that was being scrapped because the gear change was inoperable. I got rid of the gearchange mechanism which was cable operated from the handlebar. I welded a rod on the shafts protruding from the gearbox and put a knob on it. ( had to reduce the size as it was too heavy and going over large bumps caused a gear change ) As the gear lever was on the right hand side I had to move the throttle to the left hand side. When I took it for MOT the inspector was highly amused but gave it a certificate after I fitted a new bulb horn to it. Lots of fun with it, happy days.

[@jaimecunningham1057]

She's a beaut Clark!

[@plgfritz]

Quality item, Clark.

[@woooster17]

“Clark, I’d like to try to fumigate this here chair, it’s a quality item. If you don’t mind my askin’, how much did she set you back”

[@Jaybird-oo3ih]

who cares if the forks have been chromed? that is an excellent example of the Indian 4 , thanks for showing us Jay

[@ronrobertson59]

When I was a kid in the 50's an old farmer my dad knew had an Indian 4 with side car he rode around on. That's the first Indian 4 I ever saw. His son still had it in the early 70s stuck in a barn. I tried to buy in in like 1979 but he wouldn't sell it. I have no clue what ever happed to it.

[@MrRoach-yo3mz]

Thats one bike Ive always wanted but will never be able to afford....... What a Beautiful Motorcycle!

[@fidelcatsro6948]

we can always build one amigo...plenty of 4 cylinder engines available

[@paulsawczyc5019]

You can buy a new Indian on credit.

[@curbyweaver4606]

Not a 4 cyl. Hey fidel, are you serious?

[@fidelcatsro6948]

why not amigo curby? tons of used modern 4 cylinders on the net! www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=metro+used+engine&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xused+4cyl+engine.TRS0&_nkw=used+4cyl+engine&_sacat=0

[@vintageequipment3768]

Thanks Jay! Great to see the old bikes on the channel again!!

[@disvillage]

I worked down the street from the original factory in Springfield. They kept the artwork in the main meeting hall. It was turned into condos. Some of the other programmers lived up there. It still had a feeling of awe from Indian years.

[@jimstretch6109]

Yeah. But that area of Springfield like all cities is going bad.

[@Ian-bq7gp]

I wish they still made them. Its so good seeing a low revving beautiful warhorse built to run reliably and easy to service. I love the chromed forks.

[@alleng332]

My Great Grandpa and Grandpa used to make The Goulding Sidecar. A beautiful rig that is you have there.

[@kbtruck65blair64]

That's one beautiful Indian. Thanks for sharing.

[@stephendunster1005]

The lines of that machine are fantastic ... and the engineering is approachable .. Thanks for this.

[@tracyc2695]

I don’t anything about Indian motorcycles, but I learned some, and enjoyed your enthusiasm for it.

[@mikevale3620]

Fascinating how this classic motorcycle is all about cruising along....not what its top speed is or how quickly it gets from zero to 100MPH. I also really like how Jay has his Chrysler 300G, front and centre...oops yep, I'm not an American,...when he's describing the vehicle of that week. That 300G is such a car to drool over...yeah back to the bike. I'm also fascinated that Jay didn't use riding gloves on this test.

[@mws3779]

A friend who owns Competition Cycles in Butler Wisconsin just next door to Milwaukee has a Excelsior Henderson 1937 KJ. I've always loved those inline fours. I always love the torque four.

[@rodneyyoung8096]

My grandpa deliverd tha mail for the post office. That old guy was great. Always wonderd what it was like for him. Although he lived in Pensalvania . Winters were harsh . He was pushed into the oncoming lain by a strong wind across a bridge. If you havent figured out by now it was winter and the roads were iced over. The othere insident was winter and he ended up on his butesemo grinding rock salt . My dad said they grandad was getting the but end of the jokes for a while . And like you jay, he had a great sence of humer. Thanks so much for the shoe , this one touched my heart in a good way.

[@badopinionsrighthere]

As an Indian, I love these bikes. Heck, I have a customized Vulcan 900 named Half Breed with a skirted fender because I can't afford the real thing.

[@AyrenJagar]

Jay collects cars and bikes that actually mean something to him and not because it is an investment. Talking about classics specifically.

[@northerniltree]

Jay says the '40 and '41's (there's even a few '42's) are the "best" Fours, but after the '36 and '37 "upside down" fours, Indian redesigned the engine for the remaining years. Other than the rear suspension and the swoopy valanced fenders, the 1938 and 1939 Indian Fours are the same machine. Many consider these two years the most beautiful Fours. I saw this bike on Ebay about 6 years ago. Although it wasn't listed as Joe Montana's bike, an image of the title in the listing shows that it was. The "buy it now" price was around $48K. That was low- even then- for this bike, with a sidecar to boot! It could have been a scam listing, if Jay owned this bike that long and he didn't list it. I have found by riding Fours with sidecars that putting a black labrador in the sidecar with a bandana and aviator goggles, the bike runs better.

[@davidtaylor6613]

"There isn't anything on this bike you can't fix with a hammer." Love it Jay! I have a drawer full of different ones. More motorcycle videos please.

[@danmar007]

Great looking rig. The reliability, the comfort, the stability of the sidecar and the limited top speed would make this a great first bike to own..

[@allenmcdaniel1470]

True work of mechanical Art from the Henderson Bros. Jay is a great steward of our MC History and Heritage.

[@LeMecanoDuDimanche]

Jay is the best to show us these beauties.love it.

[@patrickchubey3127]

Interesting variety of vehicles right from the pricey to the inexpensive, from the weird Shotwell to the ordinary but beautiful in my eyes '41 Plymouth, this collection doesn't really get specific which means we're always seeing unusual and awesome vehicles. I'm so hooked on this channel.

[@klyanadkmorr]

☺♥ As an ex ardent motorcyclist I give this the Golden Award of 2Wheeled Lazyboy & Sofa side Car Extraordinaire!!

[@jeffreyhill7990]

It's just a cool bike....great history....always enjoy your videos thanks

[@saabjunkieSPG]

Great video! I wasn’t into bikes until I saw this one. Love the side car too.

[@LEMMYKISGOD]

I have always loved the classic Indian motorcycles. Never have been a HD fan.

[@thomaswelcomer8443]

I don't remember ever seeing the "motorcycle room" but can imagine the variety in it. I also imagine that keeping the vehicles roadworthy is a chore. it would be very different than restorations bring done. How about an episode of THAT??? As a dreamer (and future lottery winner!) I've had many days spent thinking of what is involved with maintaining a collection. Servicing, searching for related materials, and how do you decide what to ride/drive each day???? A schedule??? Mood??? do share!

[@michaelspinello3607]

Jay and his TOYS. Thanks for sharing Jay!

[@goatflieg]

One favorite memory from long ago was meeting you at the Griffith Park Sidecar Rally (RIP Doug Bingham). Good times... as always, thanks for sharing.

[@sportscarnut]

Beautiful! Jay Leno respects motoring machines! Well done!

[@NYCLusso]

Jay, I LOVE your MB Gullwing. I personally don't think you should restore it. It has SO much character. It's incredible. My favorite car that you have shown on your show. Thank you for the entertainment. -DV

[@garygullikson6349]

Gotta love the sound, didja know that in CA, you don't need an M1 to ride a side hack rig or other 3 wheeler? Like to see current Indian company come out with an inline 4 styled like vintage ones.

[@plasterboy25]

The color is great has that pastel era tone. Love a bike that a show piece and can run too! Great video Jay

[@lawerencestimpson2280]

This is the first 4 that I have seen.An old fellow in our neighborhood had an ACE,and I heard from another old fellow that he had an ACE.My Dad said the Indian 4 was a big bike and it was a treat to see Jay's 4.

[@thomascorey2676]

Jay, respect. I have enjoyed several of your videos and will more. Your conversation is casual and enjoyable. Thanks again.

[@elfthreefiveseven1297]

Both my parents rode in The Two Tire'd Too club in Ohio in the late 1930's. My father was in the Elyra chapter, my Mother was in the Lorain chapter. My father had an Indian and my mother had a Harly, she got it for her 18th birthday in 1937. Bill & Roma now riding their bikes in heaven.

[@angiefav1847]

The styling is just incredible those old 30 40s cars and bike were really something no other time was autos so beautiful thanks jay very nice

[@LMacNeill]

Listen to how smoothly that thing idles! Love it!

[@BCHonea]

God that late deco streamliner look is my juice, my game, the most beautiful design ever.

[@thomasangelo4219]

A really beautiful machine keep it just the way it is perfect

[@beautyjuicynayx06]

What's up Jay! I saw you driving a weird looking vehicle by my kids school today ..It was awesome seeing you

[@VintageMotorcycles]

The best motorcycle video in my life... until now. Heard this sound! That is so cool. I don't have words. Thanks Jay. Cheers

[@paulmendolia8483]

Jay you are simply a National Treasure.

[@jst4curiosity704]

Love it Jay! Thanks for sharing.

[@bredlo]

This model (with sidecar) looks phenomenal in a dark, blood red. The chrome sparkles, and with the fork and springs in black the way they were intended... the whole rig takes on a bit of a menacing look. What a great period in American history to explore its highways on a bike like this.

[@kenwalz7231]

Jay You said the center stand was not needed with the side car ... but it seems like it still would work for lifting up the rear tire. Just Thinkin'.... Beautiful bike and I sure loved your Scout bike ...I would love to ride one! It blew me away being gear driven primary! Thanks for the many years of priceless shows that will never be repeated.....at least in my lifetime!

[@niandra92]

Loving this series of motorcycle videos. It's always been a hole in my automotive knowledge

[@Darren...son4634]

Love your work J miss your late show watching reruns now

[@scottmarshall2297]

I loved the video Jay, I'm a motorcycle guy and the more bikes you show the better! Thanks

[@geraldestes2470]

thanks jay mr leno; gorgeous machine, expertly narrated.

[@bikerasuka2550]

I love it! "There's nothing on this bike that you can't fix with a hammer!" That sure keeps my Honda running! 🤣 I got interested in Indian bikes because of the movie, "The World's Fastest Indian" that came out a few years ago now. The bike in that movie was a 1920 Indian Scout which still holds the record as the world's fastest Streamliner at Bonneville in 1967. Thanks for showing us your Indian. What a beautiful machine. Take care.

[@urdaddywingnut7820]

Herbert Orendorff-- Bro, What you talkin bout??!? THIS is the best talk show Jays ever done!

[@maricaibo3507]

Looks so much better than modern 3-wheelers like Slingshot. They mostly remind me of a kid's sneaker. This is a beaut and will still look good in another 50 years.

[@GeorgeBridgetower]

There are several fine shots of Jay's Toronado in the distance.

[@sandflesh]

Id really love to see a video on your type 57.

[@hubifornia]

Thanks Jay, for sharing all your cool stuff with all us working class motor heads. Thanks for keeping it technical and honest.

[@rdaystrom4540]

Thank you Jay. Good job portraying what it's like to ride that Indian.

[@shortribslongbow5312]

Awesome cycle love the sound and looks. Nice color Jay.

[@RoyAH.]

Thank you so much for sharing Jay! Great show! Greetings from Lake Sherwood...

[@user-gc1zn5mn4p]

Another great video, Jay. I respect people who want to keep a bike or car "100% original" yet I also respect people like us who might make or leave, as I call them, "enhancements" to a vehicle. It is not right or wrong--it is personal preference.

[@williammurphy3846]

Jay, that is another civilized Indian. It's my understanding that you could order them civilized from the factory and I guess a lot of riders ordered them that way. As I understand many police departments preferred the Indian to the left shifter motorcycles because the officers - mostly being right handed - could use their service revolvers to shoot if needed. It"s beautiful even if it is civilized. Thanks for showing it and all you do for the history motor vehicles. You are a class act.

[@shoominati23]

The best chopper I've ever seen in my life was made from an Ariel Square 4. It was done in the 70s here in Australia on a custom frame , and had an unreal multitone yellow metalflake paint job and had not been been restored, just weel kept and handed from enthusiast to enthusiast. Just got to watch the rear cylinders on those, they tend to overheat as they don't get as much airflow as the front pair, the solution is jetting the rears a bit richer , not using fittings that block the airflow and even fitting an oil cooler.

[@ErronKebabb]

Loved it! A great watch, thank you for sharing! it's clear to see you passion and love for the sport, the history and the character of all these cool machines!

[@faisalamjad2834]

love the reviews by Leno especially the ones on bikes. a classic 2nd bike is on my list, recently came across a 50s two stroke Harley what a beauty

[@9999plato]

Mags are great. I had a 61 Triumph and that thing would always start by the second kick if not the first. The charging system was another story entirely and don't ask about pistons burning holes in the top regardless of the mechanic.

[@1clackerman]

The "apex of styling" at the time, you could say. VERY cool motorcycle.

[@kenmac3341]

In a word... Magnificent! Cheers Jay 👍

[@prentisspowell8148]

Everyone needs several Indian Fours, Jay!!!! Hope the new Indian company makes a 4 cylinder touring bike, an update on this bike, like they did with the Chief.....

[@roadking155]

When you first started it up it reminded me of and old pick-up truck. I love the color too!

[@regsparkes6507]

Now there's a great looking 'cycle and car', super sound too. Nice one, Jay!

[@tengrandaweek]

On my way to Champion Sidecars tomorrow , to get a look at the Avenger. Thanks for the great Video!

[@peterdevreter]

Aaaah sweet. Finally a real classic and no restomod stuff.

[@boarder989]

Beautiful bike Jay! LOVE the motorcycle videos!

[@caseyvillemodelrailroad3877]

Cool, been working on bikes my whole life, never had a sidecar yet. Just got a 800 Velousia and im thinking a sidecar will look sweet by it. Thanks for the morning coffee...