In a room filled with the most coveted and iconic motorcycles of all time, the Indian 101 Scout, like this exceptionally restored example from 1929, stands above the rest. Produced for only four years, the balance achieved between style and performance by the 101 Scout made it one of the most popular of its time and is considered among the finest motorcycles ever created. Celebrated the magnum opus of Indian’s legendary designer Charles B. Franklin, the 101 Scout was a continuation of Franklin’s string of successes at Indian and the culmination of his experience gained as a pioneer motorcycle racer. Franklin was born in Dublin, Ireland, and later trained as an electrical engineer at the turn of the 20th century. He began racing motorcycles in 1903 and became the first Irishman to compete in international races, including being in the top ten finishers at every Isle of Man TT between 1908 and 1914. In 1910, he began racing Indian motorcycles, opening a dealership for the American brand shortly after. In 1911, he finished second in the Isle of Man Senior on an Indian, followed by setting new speed records at the Brooklands track on one of Oscar Hedstrom’s 8-Valve racers in 1912. He soon took over Indian’s Dublin-based distribution hub before moving into the company’s design department in Springfield in 1916. Once there, Franklin led the transition from Indian’s PowerPlus engines to a new sidevalve configuration of his design. His new sidevalve V-twin debuted in the 1920 Scout, a 37 CI (610cc) middleweight motorcycle that was low and lean compared to the Big Twins of the day, making it more accessible and affordable. The larger Chief debuted in 1922, and in 1927 the first 45 CI (750cc) Scouts arrived. As proven by the success of Excelsior’s Super-X, the 45 CI displacement appealed to many riders including amateurs and professionals involved in the increasingly popular hill climb and flat track competitions springing up around America. A former racer himself, Franklin captured the moment, redesigning the Scout in 1928 and transforming the emerging 45-class motorcycle from an economical middleweight to the sportiest, speediest option available. He changed the standard Scout’s geometry, lowering the seat height by 2 inches, lengthening its wheelbase by 3 inches and increasing rake and trail on its redesigned leaf-spring fork. The result was a motorcycle that, despite being 30 pounds heavier than its predecessor, was substantially more agile and maneuverable. It was a formula rarely achieved in motorcycling, balancing power, weight and handling, leading racers and enthusiasts to become devotees at the altar of Franklin’s crown jewel, the 101 Scout. This wonderful 1929 Indian 101 Scout features a 45 CI (750cc) sidevalve V-twin and 3-speed gearbox, handsomely equipped with a luggage rack, Klaxon horn and gear-driven Corbin speedometer. S196.1 1929 INDIAN SCOUT 101
