A US make of motorcycle
1913-1917 For a list of the models and prices of motorcycles in the UK see the 1917 Red Book. Imported by Hendee Manufacturing Co.
Indian motorcycles were produced in Britain from 1950 to 1955 by Brockhouse of Southport in Lancashire.
1950 having already produced the Corgi, the firm introduced the 247cc Indian Brave. It had a rigid frame with telescopic forks and conventional lines, but the sv engine had the three-speed gearbox built in-unit, an alternator, and the gear and kickstart pedals on the left - this was not the norm for British machines at that time. The Brave was not much of a success on either side of the Atlantic as it proved to be commercially unsuccessful and mechanically troubled..
1953 The US subsidiary, Indian Company, continued to sustain losses. Substantial volumes of parts and motorcycles had been imported into the USA and substantial stocks of spares were held there[1]
1954 The addition of a version with rear suspension did little to help sales.
1955 Brockhouse's Southport factory had not been profitable since WWII and was closed. An arrangement had been made with Enfield Cycle Co to manufacture the Indian motorcycle at a new factory at Boston in the UK for export to USA[2]
1955 Although there had been a prototye with a 125cc two-stroke engine based on the 250cc bottom half, nothing came of it and all models were dropped.
1959 Brockhouse sold the Indian Company to Associated Motor Cycles; the name of the Indian company was changed to Brockhouse Corporation[3]
Note:
The Indian Motocycle Club of Great Britain has its own web site. [1]
See Also
Sources of Information
- The British Motorcycle Directory - Over 1,100 Marques from 1888 - by Roy Bacon and Ken Hallworth. Pub: The Crowood Press 2004 ISBN 1 86126 674 X
- [2] Ian Chadwick's motorcycle web site