For Paul Remaley, who set a new transcontinental record in 1926 by covering the 3,700 miles from Portland to New York in a shade over 5 days, there was no better machine on which to make his historic adventure than an Indian Scout. The machine, like this meticulously restored example complete with a sidecar, had become one of the most popular in the world given its balance between agility and power. Introduced by Indian’s legendary engineer Charles B. Franklin in 1920, the Scout’s success was due to its unique approach to motorcycle design, with a low, streamlined stance, short wheelbase for a more nimble character, and a power plant that made the machine just as easy to service as it was to ride. Franklin, a talented engineer who had been working as an Indian dealer in Ireland since 1910 and counted several racing victories and speed records to his name, was called to the Springfield headquarters in 1916. He started working on Indian’s latest V-twin design, refining the work of Indian’s side-valve pioneer Charles Gustafson in producing the company’s Powerplus. With Franklin’s expertise in tuning the new engines, Indian returned to its place at the top of motorcycle competition, and with its reliability having been thoroughly vetted in Europe during WWI, the brand’s popularity surged. So, in 1919, Franklin was charged with building a new model that was more maneuverable than its big twin yet just as capable. Thus, the 37 CI (606cc) Scout was born, paired with a direct gear primary, a 3-speed gearbox, and set into a low, short-wheelbase double-cradle frame. The Scout marked a turning point in motorcycle design and represented a new benchmark model for the brand. Beloved for its flowing style, effortless operation and rugged durability, the Scout opened up a new demographic of customers, proved nearly unbeatable at the track, and amassed a cult-like following that remains just as devout today as it did in the 1920s. This meticulously restored 1926 Indian Scout is a testament to that devotion, complimented by one of Indian’s “Princess” sidecars better to share the joy of the Scout with friends. Today, rare and early Scouts like this prime example stand as a symbol of the enduring legacy of the Indian Scout and a tribute to the ingenuity of motorcycle pioneers like Charles Franklin, Paul Remaley and Eugene Walker. S171.1 1926 Indian Scout with Sidecar
