First Miles

This bike, as previously posted, is assembled as close to original specs as I could get for a 1914 Indian. Staying true to the design and technology of the day gives you a glimpse of what it was like riding an early form of motorized transportation. So with a lot of hours of rebuild behind me, we headed out.

The first ride was an eye opener. The motorcycle was geared high, and when I finally got the clutch fully disengaged, the single speed was loafing down the road at about 55 mph. The motor seemed to want more fuel, but this is not adjustable on the soup can carb. It also wants to run a constant speeds, and doesn't react quickly to throttle adjustments. Final first ride observations.......... It could use a little more brake.

First Life

It is always a special day when one of these projects come to life for the first time. You never really know what to expect. So early one Saturday morning, I pushed the 14 out in the driveway, and got ready to fire it up. I primed the carb, retarded the spark, disengaged the clutch, and started pedaling. Within a few revolutions of the motor it roared to life, for the first time in 76 years. The Indian basket was finally alive!