F180 1912 INDIAN BIG BASE RACER As an example of one of the most sought-after, collectible motorcycles in the world, this gorgeous 1912 Indian Big Base 8-Valve Racer is quite a find. The year 1912 was the Indian factory’s glory year, when it was the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world and had just taken a 1-2-3 sweep at the Isle of Man TT and won every conceivable speed contest in the United States. Nothing compared to the 8-Valve racer at the time, and it was technologically superior to any other motorcycle on the track. Indian’s 8-Valve took advantage of the principle that smaller, lighter valvetrain parts not only made for less wear, but the multiple valves breathed better, making for more horsepower. For the 1909 Brooklands and Isle of Man racing season, Oscar Hedstrom invented the “factory race team,” using Irish Indian importer Billy Wells as his front man. Wells gained an exclusive import agreement, a London showroom and a racing budget, while Indian sent two specially modified 750cc (the twin-cylinder class limit) racers to England for the Isle of Man TT that year, with Wells and Lee Evans racing. Evans finished second in Indian’s first Isle of Man attempt. Jake DeRosier, America’s premier “track man,” was shipped to Brooklands and made quite a show against Britain’s finest. The following year at Brooklands, the Indian team filled the top three spots of many races, garnering press as the “boys to beat” at the TT. Taking no chances in 1911, Hedstrom accompanied three mechanics and DeRosier to England for TT preparations. The “Works” team grew to five riders, now including: O. Godfrey, A. Moorhouse, J. Alexander and Charles Franklin, an Irish racer who would years later design the revered Indian Scout. The TT route was changed to the mountain course over Snaefell, and Indian, with its 2-speed chain drive, proved unbeatable, taking 1-2-3 with Godfrey in front and making 1911 the Indian Summer. Back home, Indian sprung ahead technologically in 1911 with the introduction of new, overhead-valve board track racers with four-valve cylinder heads—the immortal 8-Valve racer. It was the most advanced racing motorcycle built in the U.S. and the fastest in the world, capable of over 90 MPH. Their performance was astounding, but it took an extremely skillful—and brave—rider to get the best from the 8-Valve and survive. This 1911 Indian 8-Valve Big Base board track racer is a spectacular motorcycle and the most exciting, raw and dangerous Indian racer ever made. THE ROBERT RICHARDSON COLLECTION
