Indian... what model... year? Any Indian experts out there...

[grizCP]

So my parents had told me about my grandfather's love for his Indian and that he had raced it in Ohio during the late 30s and early 40s... but, my dad and his father had a major falling out and my dad never talked about him much in detail. By the time they made up near the end of Grandpa's life and I got to know the man, I never got to ask him about his motorcycling days.

My parents recently found these old pictures of Grandpa on his Indian... I can only guess that this photo was taken sometime in the early 40s in Ohio... the picture with the lake is Springfield Lake near Akron, OH. I know pretty vague, right.

Are there any vintage bike experts out there who might be able to identify model and year from the photos... better yet, can anyone identify the venue of the race with the grand stands in the background of the 3rd photo? Thanks for any help.

[England-Kev]

Fantastic pictures, what a shame you never got to talk about this with your grandad.

As for the bike, and my meagure knowledge, is that a 1937-39 Sport Scout?

Way cool.

[r77toy]

From the shape of the Grandstands, I'm guessing Baseball stadium.

[grizCP]

Originally Posted by r77toy

From the shape of the Grandstands, I'm guessing Baseball stadium.

That was my thought too. There is another picture (my cousin has it) of my grandfather in a race, and it also looks like a stadium... I need to look into some history of dirt racing in Ohio.

[Pablo83]

Check out this page, but keep in mind some of these bikes are modified.

http://www.bucksindian.com/buck's_bikes.htm

The key features I can see on your granddad's bike are:

teardrop air cleaner
the horn is mounted above headlight
the fenders do not hide the side of the tire
no jockey shift
leaf spring front


I think you should take those pics to the motorcycle museum at the Harley dealership in the Springs. It you haven't been there, it's worth a trip on it's own.

[pbarmy]

Early mid 30's,Scout.My guess.

[grizCP]

Thanks Paul for the x post to Flattrack.com - link to that thread:

http://www.flattrack.com/index.php?o...temid=0#184516

[grizCP]

1939 Sport Scout:

[grizCP]

1937 Chief

[grizCP]

Originally Posted by Pablo83

Check out this page, but keep in mind some of these bikes are modified.

http://www.bucksindian.com/buck's_bikes.htm

The key features I can see on your granddad's bike are:

teardrop air cleaner
the horn is mounted above headlight
the fenders do not hide the side of the tire
no jockey shift
leaf spring front


I think you should take those pics to the motorcycle museum at the Harley dealership in the Springs. It you haven't been there, it's worth a trip on it's own.

Based on the models shown, I concur.

[Pablo83]

You might want to try and find some pics of Sportsman Park, Northfield, Ohio.

Some info: Sportsmans Park was origianlly built as a greyhound racing track in 1934 during Max Kliens term as mayor (1934-1938) and then shortly after the track changed ownership and the track switched from greyhound racing to midget car racing. Then in 1956 sportsmans park was torn down to make way for what is known today as Northfield Park.

Another one to look up would be Canfield Speedway ohio

[bomberdave]

it is a 38 or 39 indian chief

[Pablo83]

Originally Posted by bomberdave

it is a 38 or 39 indian chief

what identifies it as such? ...just curious.

[bomberdave]

ridgid frame with leaf spring front end makes it pre 1940 chief, open fenders also make it pre 40, headlight below horn with the tin fork shroud behind headlight and a cast aluminium instrument housing on tank make it post 37. somebody who know more than me will pick up on something else and get it down to either 38 or 39. white handgrips might be a clue, im not sure.

almost got my 37 chief on the road.

[rtwdoug]

the horn face has the indian head & feathers, and the gas cap is the screw in type, not the later bayonet style, which to me, would mean its a 35-36 chief.

Doug