Indian V-twin 5HP factory racer & Paul J.C. Derkum 1908 motorcycle photo photo

Description

A superb and rare photo of Indian factory rider
Paul J.C. Derkum
and his
1908
Indian 5HP F-head V-twin factory racer
.
The photo was made on
February 22, 1908
after Derkum broke with the photographed machine
10
American speed records.
The
Indian V-twin racers
were legendary machines. In 1907, Indian built its first V-twin, and in following years made a strong showing in racing and record-breaking. One of the firm's most famous riders was Erwin "Cannonball" Baker, who set many long-distance records. In 1914, he rode an Indian across
America
, from
San Diego
to
New York
, in a record 11 days, 12 hours and ten minutes. Baker's mount in subsequent years was the Powerplus, a side-valve V-Twin, which was introduced in 1916. Its 61ci (1000 cc), 42 degree V-twin engine was more powerful and quieter than previous designs, giving a top speed of
60 mph
(
96 km/h
). The Powerplus was highly successful, both as a roadster and as the basis for racing bikes. It remained in production with few changes until 1924. Competition success played a big part in Indian's rapid growth and spurred technical innovation, as well. One of the American firm's best early results came in the Isle of Man TT in 1911, when Indian riders Godfrey, Franklin and Moorehouse finished first, second and third. Indian star Jake De Rosier set several speed records both in
America
and at Brooklands in
England
, and won an estimated 900 races on dirt and board track racing.
Indian
is the oldest motorcycle marque currently in production in the
USA
. They were manufactured from 1901 to
1953 in
Springfield
,
Massachusetts
. Indian was initially known as the Hendee Manufacturing Company but was later renamed the Indian Motocycle Manufacturing Company. The Indian factory team took the first three places in the 1911 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy. During the 1910s Indian became the largest manufacturer of motorcycles in the world. Indians most popular models were the Scout, made from 1920 to 1946, and the Chief, made from 1922 to 1953. The Indian Motocycle Manufacturing Company went bankrupt in 1953. Between 1953 and the early 1970s, different organizations imported motorcycles into the
United States
and applied the Indian logo to them, with varying degrees of legitimacy. The rights to the Indian marque were reconciled in the late 1990s and were acquired by Indian Motorcycle Company of
America
, which began building new Indian motorcycles in
Gilroy
,
California
in 1999. The Indian Motorcycle Company of
America
went bankrupt and ceased production in 2003. Rights to the Indian marque were acquired by the Indian Motorcycle Company of
Kings Mountain
,
North Carolina
in 2006. The concern has since begun production of the new Indian motorcycle. The "Indian Motocycle Co." was founded as the Hendee Manufacturing Company by George M. Hendee and Carl Oscar Hedström. Both Hendee and Hedström were former bicycle racers who teamed up to produce a motorcycle with a 1.75 bhp, single cylinder engine in Hendee's home town of
Springfield
. The bike was successful and sales increased dramatically during the next decade. In
1901, a
prototype and two production units of the diamond framed Indian Single were successfully designed, built and tested. Work began on these in previous years. The first Indian motorcycles, featuring belt-drives and streamlined styling, were sold to the public in
1902. In
1904 they were made available in the deep red color that would become Indian's trademark. The engines of the Indian Single were built by the Aurora Firm in
Illinois
. In 1903, Indian's co-founder and chief engineer Oscar Hedström set the world motorcycle speed record (56mph). In 1904, production of Indian motorcycles was up to over 500 bikes annually and would rise to its best ever
32,000 in
1913. In
1907, Indian built its first V-twin, and in following years made a strong showing in racing and record-breaking. One of the firm's most famous riders was Erwin "Cannonball" Baker, who set many long-distance records. In 1914, he rode an Indian across
America
, from
San Diego
to
New York
, in a record 11 days, 12 hours and ten minutes. Baker's mount in subsequent years was the Powerplus, a side-valve V-Twin, which was introduced in 1916. Its 61ci (1000 cc), 42 degree V-twin engine was more powerful and quieter than previous designs, giving a top speed of
60 mph
(
96 km/h
). The Powerplus was highly successful, both as a roadster and as the basis for racing bikes. It remained in production with few changes until 1924. Competition success played a big part in Indian's rapid growth and spurred technical innovation, as well. One of the American firm's best early results came in the Isle of Man TT in 1911, when Indian riders Godfrey, Franklin and Moorehouse finished first, second and third. Indian star Jake De Rosier set several speed records both in
America
and at Brooklands in
England
, and won an estimated 900 races on dirt and board track racing. He left Indian for Excelsior and died in 1913, aged 33, of injuries sustained in a board track race crash with Charles "Fearless" Balke, who later became Indian's top rider. Work at the Indian factory was stopped while De Rosier's funeral procession passed. Oscar Hedstrom left Indian in 1913 after disagreements with the Board of Directors regarding dubious practices to inflate the company's stock values. George Hendee resigned in 1916. The Scout and Chief V-twins, introduced in the early 1920s, became the
Springfield
firm's most successful models. Designed by Charles B. Franklin, the middleweight Scout and larger Chief shared a 42 degree V twin engine layout. Both models gained a reputation for strength and reliability, which led to the old Indian saying: "You can't wear out an Indian Scout, or its brother the Indian Chief. They are built like rocks to take hard knocks; it's the Harleys that cause grief." In 1930 Indian merged with DuPont Motors Company. DuPont Motors founder E. Paul DuPont ceased production of duPont automobiles and concentrated the company's resources on Indian. DuPont's paint industry connections resulted in no fewer than 24 color options being offered in 1934. Models of that era featured Indian's famous head-dress logo on the gas tank. Indian's huge
Springfield
factory was known as the Wigwam, and native American imagery was much used in advertising.
This is a very nice and very rare non period photo that reflects a wonderful era of Indian motorcycle history in a wonderful way. This is your rare chance to own this photo, therefore it is printed in a nice large format of ca. 8" x 10" (ca. 20 x
25.4 cm
). It makes it perfectly suitable for framing!
Contact us for more Indian and other motorcycle photos of the old and famous American and European motorcycle brands and save on shipping!
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No copyright expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well protected in PVC clear files
and board backed envelopes.
We have photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and excellent quality.
After many decades of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace, restaurant, bar or club!
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