History of Hendee the company that produced the Indian Motocycle 1897-1953

Today on what it’s like, all new segment called motorcycle Monday, if everything goes good, and according to plan, this will be a weekly episode into the motorcycle world.. today’s episode is on Indian motorcycles built by Hendee Manufacturing co in Springfield Massachusetts. Really cool episode
I’m going to let you guys vote on the next motorcycle Monday episode the poll will be up after the episode is over and will remain in effect until Friday …
Enjoy this episode
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[@stephenholland5930]

Great first episode of Motorbike Monday.

[@What.its.like.]

Happy you dig this episode

[@lanedexter6303]

Those Indian fours are fascinating. Dad told me about riding a Henderson four. Noticeable torque effect from the inline. Back in the days before standardized controls, many motorcycle cops liked the Indian because, unlike the Harley, the throttle was on the left, thus allowing a right handed man to ride and shoot.

[@49VinCom]

The Model "O" was an opposed or flat twin as opposed to a "V" as you described it, it was modeled after the British Douglas. Which the British described the engine as a "fore and aft" design. Great work to you, thanks for covering motorcycles.

[@What.its.like.]

=) happy you dig this new series

[@hcombs0104]

For WYR, it’s the 1920 Indian Scout, and the ‘37 Indian 4. Knowing little about motorcycles, I guess I’ll learn something in the coming months. I couldn’t help but notice the streamlined design of those late-1930s bikes!

[@junkmangeorge6363]

Art Deco

[@VintageCarHistory]

Well presented, Sir!

[@What.its.like.]

Happy you dig this one =)

[@geebs76]

Nothing is new? What it's like motorcycle episodes are new! I'd choose the 1916 Indian Power Plus and the 1928 Indian Four, although they are all awesome. My favorite Indian is Deepika Padukone but the 1906 Indian Double Cylinder Racer is pretty sweet too. I enjoyed the episode.

[@What.its.like.]

=) thank you happy you dig the new series I came down with being sick which I don’t have time for driving home tomorrow

[@johnmartin7158]

The Power Plus was a great racing machine in the day. Shrimp Burns raced one and sadly his life was short loved. Love the American history of board racing.

[@What.its.like.]

@@johnmartin7158 thank you so much for sharing that information

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Great vid!!!!! 🤜🤛 🏁

[@What.its.like.]

Happy you enjoyed this one =)

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

@@What.its.like. 👍👍

[@fidobite3798]

Indian Motocycle's history is quite convoluted, and the attempts to revive the name in more recent years has finally (I think) succeded! The new bikes (built, I believe, in Iowa) are truly excellent. I have ridden the new Scout (cruiser style bike) & the FTR (standard style based loosely on their flat track racer). Both are fully competitive in the modern motorcycle market. I love the old classics though & would be happy to own any of them for their historical cachet!

[@ceriabestsb3023]

Very good information on the Indian..I always prefer Indian over HD..it seems you have the same enthusiasm for motorcycles too..👍👍👍 I like..

[@What.its.like.]

=) me too Indian as the gentleman motorcycle

[@ernielaw]

My former brother-in-law Edgar Hendee was a great nephew of George Hendee. He is still living at the age of 88.

[@russC13]

Great video, great series on motorcycles. I had the Harley and friend had the Indian. Great job on the history.

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome happy you dig the new series =)

[@middleclassretiree]

Very cool Jay, this is the first of your motorcycle videos I’ve seen and I really like it. For the WYR I’m going to take the scout and the 28 inline 4 having ridden my grandpa’s 29 Cleveland inline 4 that came with a factory guarantee to do 100 mph I have to say there is something totally exciting about those early bikes with virtually no suspension or brakes , basically a engine, tires and handle bars but they are a ton of terrifying fun and talk about turning heads 👍👍

[@What.its.like.]

Happy you dig this episode sweet choices

[@automatedelectronics6062]

Back in the early-80's, a friend and I bought a '52 BSA B33 500 basket case and were looking for parts. The former BSA dealer in town had literally thrown out their stock of BSA parts a year or so before. They only sold Suzuki motorcycles at that time. We were told who picked up those BSA parts and where he lived. I believe his named was Hugh Darby. We went over to his address and were blown away. The guy lived in a log cabin and had an old western town facade in his back yard and it wasn't a bunch of miniatures either. They were actually storage sheds. Now, he wouldn't show or sell us any of the BSA parts. He'd probably been more akin to selling his first-born. He did invite us to see his restored motorcycle collection. It was in a separate purpose-built building of which the inside was like a motorcycle dealership. In one half were Indian motorcycles and the other half were Hendersons. All the bikes were perfectly restored. Many had made it to the front covers of motorcycle magazines over the years. They were absolutely beautiful! The pictures you showed reminded me of what was there. I know the man passed many years ago and I have no idea whatever happened to his collection and have often wondered. I don't think his log cabin and outbuildings are still there. I couldn't find them on Google Earth. There are multiple motorcycle collections and museums still around. It would be cool if you visited them and featured the motorcycles in them.

[@What.its.like.]

I’m totally down for going there if it’s still exist. Thank you so so much for sharing that memory of that place. I’m happy if you could bring that back to. =) There are few and far between it’s very sad that a lot of their younger generations don’t really care about this stuff.. would rather sit behind a car, steering wheel that dictates every move and watches everything they do, and back to the higher ups

[@superhawk3057]

My Dad owned a 1940 Indian four he said it was the best bike he ever owned. It has a art deco type of style. His last bike was 1986 Honda 1100 Gold wing when he was 72 years old.

[@What.its.like.]

That’s awesome thank you so much for sharing your fathers bikes with us =)

[@powellmountainmike8853]

I know a LOT about the post WW2 Indians. I owned a 1950 Arrow from 1972 when I was discharged from the U.S. Navy until 2016 when I moved to my present home in Tennessee and gave it to a young cousin of mine who always admired it. The Arrow and Scout and Warrior of 1949 on were VERTICAL engines, single and twin, NOT a V twin ! The twins were side by side VERTICAL engines. The Arrow, model 149 had a 244 CC (15 CI) single cylinder engine, the Scout model 249 had a 488 CC (30 CI) two cylinder engine. This was later increased to 500 CC (30.5 CI) in the Warriot. These were made to compete with the British motorcycles beginning to be imported to the U.S. after the war. They did not sell as well as expected. When war surplus Harley 45's could be had for a much lower price, they struggled to compete. In an ill advised attempt to keep their dealerships going in the early 1950s Indian made an arrangement with AJS-Matchless to sell their bikes in Indian dealerships. In the 1950s motorcycles bearing the Indian name and trademark script were made by Royal Enfield in England and sold by Indian dealerships. They were hard to get parts for, and required special Whitworth wrenches which few Americans had, so they went over like a lead balloon. By this point, in the late 1950s the Indian production ceased and Floyd Clymer took over the name and made some bikes bearing the old trademark, small dirt bikes which were a sad ending to the old line.

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much fir all the information =)

[@edminas3159]

Great video

[@bobdillaber1195]

Very nice change of pace and very well done, as usual.

[@What.its.like.]

=)

[@frasermcburney270]

MY FRIEND GRANDFATHER ROAD FOR INDIAN IN THE 20 s HIS NAME WAS KENNY TATTOM AND AS A CHILD HE WAS A GRAND OLD STORY TELLER IN THE LATE 40S HE OPENED A RESTAURNT NAMED KENNY ' S BAR -B QUE IN RAWDON QUEBEC AND IT IS STILL IN BUSINESS.

[@What.its.like.]

That’s awesome thank you so much for sharing that =) how cool Have you ever eaten there

[@asteverino8569]

Motorcycle Monday was a success to me. Very interesting history of Indian cycles. In high school, (1968-'72), many friends had motorcycles instead of cars. Kawasaki, Suzuki and even the lowly Honda 90. Lol I only saw a couple of Indian brand cycles but it was legendary.

[@What.its.like.]

=)

[@Steven-p4j]

San Diego to New York is impressive, given that a road system didn't exist yet. Sleep or no sleep.

[@What.its.like.]

Totally agree that’s an insane trip

[@kenpruvit1037]

Fantastic Jay , Great Idea for new series ,well done thank you

[@What.its.like.]

=) your welcome happy you dig this new series

[@JamesAllmond]

Mr Hendee and a certain Mr Arthur Davidson were friends, because of their shared interest in cattle ranching and (no kidding) motorcycles... My Grandfather rode a Powerplus w/sidecar. Those later twins were actually vertical twins, basically Royal Enfields...don't get me started about Clymer... 1916 Powerplus (that is the same year as my Grand Dad's) 1940 Indian 4 My Favorite of all, either the 1941 4 or any of their Dispatch Tows....

[@rogerrendzak8055]

WOW, $275.⁰⁰, for a motorbike, when back then, you could buy a brand-new automobile, for $600.⁰⁰!? Also like the concept,of 'Motorcycle Monday'!!!

[@ronnieroberts9478]

Very good, thank you wonderful motorcycles great history

[@What.its.like.]

Glad you enjoyed this episode =)

[@michaelsimmons261]

Good job! Looking forward to more 😊

[@dantiel4179]

Love motorcycle Monday very informative

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you =) I’m happy to dig this episode I’m going to do all of them like that. If there’s a rabbit hole we’re going to explore everything. =)

[@ronnieroberts9478]

I love them all

[@DeanZwicker]

Great history of the Indian Motocycle!

[@What.its.like.]

=)

[@ColtonRMagby]

WYR: All of them. Old Harley-Davidson bikes: Throttle on the right, toe-to-go. Old Indian bikes: Throttle on the left, toe-to-stop.

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choices also great information

[@ColtonRMagby]

@@What.its.like. Having the throttle on the left makes switching between a modern motorcycle and one of those a little tricky. God knows how many people went to adjust spark timing and hit the throttle, or vice versa.

[@What.its.like.]

Yeah and then there is a the shifter

[@ColtonRMagby]

@@What.its.like. Foot clutch with hand shift makes sense for long trips. Less painful for the toes. The shifter being on whichever side should be determined either by the dominant hand or remaining hand/arm of the individual. One-handed and one-armed people should get to enjoy motorcycles too.

[@P_RO_]

@@ColtonRMagby In 1975 Federal regulations required motorcycle foot controls to shift on the left and brake on the right. English bikes and early Harley Sportsters had right-hand shifting prior to that. It was never a problem for me to instantly do either, but adding hand control differences might have changed things for me.

[@maxsands3861]

Nice video, I had the pleasure to work on many Indians from all over the world. I worked for a guy named Wally Komondy who knew Indians inside and out with a full machine shop to boot. Sometimes I wish I could go back in time, if you're still alive and happen to see this Wally it's 2 tall. Thanks for teaching me all you did.

[@What.its.like.]

=)

[@P_RO_]

Indian had standardized on left-hand throttles early on, as a way to increase appeal to Police who had their guns holstered on the right. Harley countered by using a non-spring-return throttle which stayed put where you let go of it. The in-line 4 started as the same engine Henderson motorcycles used; not sure if Indian bought the company to do that or not. In WW2, the US chose Harley to be their primary bike which hurt Indian financially. After the war, Indian had only a flathead bike, and Harley had their 'Knucklehead" OHV engine and in 48 the "Panhead" which Indian had nothing to compare to; it was a faster better bike and spelled the end for Indian. They tried several ploys such as selling re-badged Royal Enfeild bikes from Englandas well as selling scooters, but by then Harley dominated the US large bike market, and England was shipping over smaller bikes to sell as fast as they could make them. Jay's done a good overview of Indian history here for those who might not know it's history, but even a 6-hour episode couldn't really cover all the details of Indian. The brand being sold today has absolutely nothing to do with any of the old iterations of Indian; they simply bought the rights to the brand name. WYR is the 24 Chief and the 40 Indian 4. Both are iconic Indians. If I could choose one Indian, it would be Burt Munro's Bonneville Streamliner Indian which topped 200MPH unofficially.

[@What.its.like.]

Great insight and information thank you so much for sharing that =)

[@Steven-p4j]

Great historical coverage, Jay. Indian, seemingly stuck in a time warp, and BUELL, not yet starting up production.

[@stevelee5724]

Hi Jay. Cheers from New Zealand

[@What.its.like.]

Hey Steve I’m usually in PA but down in GA

[@johnmartin7158]

Cheers from West Auckland. I have 2 motorcycles.

[@tedecker3792]

‘20 Scout. If it was good enough for Burt Munro, it’s good enough for me! ( watch Worlds Fastest Indian )

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome =)

[@stephenholland5930]

Great film!

[@ronkemperful]

Great history on a company that had an early impact on motorcycles. As a ten year old in 1966 I saw an Indian motorcycle with its distinct logo parked by a baseball field in Phoenix and always wondered why this brand failed.

[@What.its.like.]

Happy you dig this episode =) There’s so much history in doing the motorcycles, I believe because there’s a lot of different high-end there’s a lot of different companies that built motorcycles would never knew that built motorcycles, like Pierce arrow, Peugeot, etc Me personally, I always thought Indian to be the gentleman bike I still think that the more sophisticated rider of motorcycles rides in Indian. They’re just heads and shoulders above the competition, especially in sophistication… maybe that’s just me

[@johnboydTx]

Royal Enfield. British Bangladesh India manufacturer??? Unusual Story🤔👍

[@What.its.like.]

That’s interesting I’ve never even heard of that company

[@johnboydTx]

@@What.its.like. started 1901 Indian WW 2 American Royal Enfield WW2 British Very similar to Indian Motorcycle

[@P_RO_]

@@What.its.like. There's a tie-in to Indian here. Towards it's end Indian lacked any successful smaller bikes, so it and Royal Enfield (RE) came together and imported and sold the RE's as Indians here in the US. After Indian failed, RE struggled, and in the 60's was sold to a company in India and they produce RE's to this very day. You've done a very good overview but there's a huge amount of history and intrigue with Indian and a 6-hour long episode couldn't cover it all. AS an aside, the first Honda dealer in upper SC was Herman Miller, and he'd previously been an Indian dealer. I knew his daughter and son-in-law who inherited his house. In the garage was about a pick-up truck load of mostly new RE Indian parts. I don't know what became of them but it was a kick to see a new gas tanks and such older than I was.

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for sharing that information =) I know I missed some stuff it was hard to figure where to draw the line, at the same time we did go down rabbit holes and tie everything together =) probably be a part two possibly 3

[@JefferyHall-ct2tr]

Hi Jay! VERY interesting history on George Hendee and the Indian Motorcycles! My great uncle had an Indian for a while. I will have to see if I can find the picture of him on it, and see if I can decipher which model he had. WYR 1920 Scout. My favorite Indian 4 is that 1940 model with the beautiful skirted fenders. Might just be my favorite Indian bike of all time!

[@What.its.like.]

That’s awesome your uncle had a really cool bike sweet choices =)

[@bparksiii6171]

Enjoyed this one. Well done first motorcycle episode lots of good pictures and history. The 40,s 50'5 models were good looking bikes with the skirted fenders. , First pick 1916 Indian power plus, second 1940 Indian 4.. Read some of my Indian history book today, found a magazine article that Indian made 4 prototype cars in 1927 , but abandoned the idea. only 1 exist in a museum.

[@What.its.like.]

In 27? Interesting where they four cylinder prototypes or I’m happy you dig this episode. It took a long time to put it together. I didn’t even use all the advertisement pieces that I found. I wanted to cover all the models, but I missed the scout junior, as well as the pony and the prince. .. I think that’s how we’re going to format it eventually we’re going to come back and do the Floyd clymer years and present day it would’ve been way too long if everything was in one episode

[@bparksiii6171]

​@@What.its.like. Taken from a Hemmings article Aug 2008, in 1927, Indian wanted to consider other products, motorcycle production was 25 % at the time. New president Louis Baurer , son and John Diedrichs, Harold Peavey built 4 cars; X1 through X4 at a cost of $65,000. X1 had the Indian v twin, X2 had a Contineltal 6 changed to the Lycoming 6, X3 had a Chevy 4 cylinder. X4 was patterned after the Austin 7, wheel base 81 inches powered by a Lycoming WS straight 6 from the Auburn 6-76, bore 2.88, stroke 4.75, 188 cubic inches and that car looks like a Crosley Hot shot. The car is in a museum in Springfield Massachusetts.

[@bobmccurdy8881]

Very, very, very cool video I always loved the Indian motorcycles awesome!!! 25 -40

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choices =)

[@chuckkottke]

Three wheel motorcycles 🏍️ would be interesting Jay!

[@stevelee5724]

It's midday Tuesday here in New Zealand 😊

[@What.its.like.]

Haha nice

[@johnmartin7158]

Hi fellow Kiwi. This is my favourite you-tube channel.

[@What.its.like.]

@@johnmartin7158 thank you it means lot welcome to the community

[@roderernst9990]

Got the Motocycle right! Good !

[@stephenholland5930]

Have you been to Wheels Through Time motorcycle museum in North Carolina? Man, that place is chock full of Indian and H-D bikes, all in running condition. They even ride them through the museum!

[@What.its.like.]

Never been there I’ll need to go sometime I really want to go to Coker’s in Chattanooga Tennessee but I really want to meet Corky

[@Frank-sf1wh]

I always liked the looks of the older Indian bikes. In the WYR, I chose the 1920 model, and the 1940 chief. Would really like to ride one some day.

[@What.its.like.]

Totally agree

[@edminas3159]

Henderson

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choice

[@bradyelich2745]

Every new parent stays awake for several months ....

[@gertpersson4271]

Carl Oscar Hedström, born in Lönneberga, Småland. The place Astrid Lindgren chose för "Emil i Lönneberga".

[@TA_Plus_Hemi]

You're so correct. Unfortunately nothing is new

[@What.its.like.]

But they pass it off as new technology when it’s not.. we have lost more technology than making new idk they had vehicles in the 50s that could get 30 mpg and now with direct injection and computers they can’t get that now I have a 2011 Honda odyssey van with cylinder deactivation and it claims 28 mpg hwy I haven’t got 25 out of it

[@tikshot566]

Can you please make a video about the 1960 oldsmobile 88

[@What.its.like.]

Totally will when I find one =)

[@formerfarmer1718]

I recently saw a Harley Davidson documentary that told that all the while Harley Davidson was making revolutionary new parts and advancements they weren’t patenting them. Indian found this out and set about patenting them. Pretty soon Indian had control of Harley Davidson.

[@kriseckhardt5148]

Friend James Deemer's mom was a Hendee.

[@charlesdalton985]

What a great episode - well done! I will have to watch this more than once. For a company to consider - Vincent. WYR: 1920 Scout and 1940 Indian Four. Thank you very much ~ Chuck

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome will definitely cover Vincent =) happy you dig this new series

[@MB-hv3ic]

leyenda vivas 👍

[@johnmartin7158]

I choose the Power Plus.

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choice

[@JamesAllmond]

Bike companies for videos? Harley, of course, Triumph, BSA. Royal Enfield, Brough and Brough Superior (not the same), Henderson, BMW, Zundapp, Ural, Honda, Rikyo...

[@johnboydTx]

Honda Cub 50 Taking the World on two wheels. I heard it said there's more honda cub 50s than refrigerators produced 🤷.🤔 that's an achievement 👍

[@What.its.like.]

Wow =) definitely going to cover Honda. I’m not sure if these are just going to be motorcycle/bicycle company, overviews or if it’s going to turn into full-blown motorcycle reviews…

[@ernielaw]

Would the song be , 'Hopelessly Devoted to you' by Olivia Newton John.

[@What.its.like.]

Great guess not that song or band

[@johnboydTx]

Mabel at the wheel. 1914 Charlie Chaplain First Indian Motorcycle on film 📽️👍 enjoy the movie 😉👋👋

[@What.its.like.]

Great information

[@Friedbrain11]

'24 Chief, '40 Indian 4.

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet choices

[@rickblinkco2223]

Before they banned the circus stunts globe of death & wall of death in the 60's the 101 was the only bike safe enough to perform the stunt.

[@What.its.like.]

Great information it’s a shame that we don’t have any of that stuff anymore don’t get me started lol

[@williamleslie4939]

"Warchester" is pronounced "Whoo-stah."

[@Mr.Higginbotham]

1940 😎👍🏼

[@JohnCBurzynski]

A little too much in this video for me. I would prefer if you just focused on one model at a time, like you do with cars. That said I would prefer a 1970 Sportster. LOL.

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for the feedback. I think this series is going to be like that it’s going to be like an overview of bicycle and motorcycle companies might not get into all of the models like this one… it was cool seeing all of the different motorcycle companies involved in this one

[@ThomasGilmore-fi6gb]

Are you actually trying to sound like a robot reading from Wikipedia? Annoying enough to make me check out 😢

[@What.its.like.]

Some information came from Wikipedia but not all of it real person I know I don’t have the best voice but happy to have a voice PS we don’t have the budget to get Morgan freeman I’ve come to the realization that you can’t please everyone

[@johnmartin7158]

@@What.its.like.I’m a Kiwi and actually your voice is partly why I watch your channel. Very unique distinct energetic voice, so please don’t change, Sir.

[@What.its.like.]

@@johnmartin7158 i'm not gonna change I might try to switch up method, but I think I have a winning formula.. it just sucks being a people pleaser there's no way to everyone it's impossible.. Believe it or not, I have people that subscribe this channel just to hate everything that I make. It just blows my mind that people are so angry that they have to do that to feel better I guess... a lot of people told me to block those people, but I like to leave them there just so other people can see how idiotic and people can be =)