1909 Indian 5 HP Light Twin

In 1897, George M. Hendee, an accomplished bicycle racer from Massachusetts, founded the Hendee Manufacturing Company to produce bikes. They were initially branded “Silver King” and “Silver Queen” until the name “American Indian” was adopted and then shortened to “Indian” in 1898. In 1900, Hendee teamed up with Oscar Hedstrom from Sweden to develop single-cylinder motorcycle prototypes in Middletown, CT. Together, they opened the first factory in Springfield, MA in 1901 to create the first American motorcycle company where they would be produced until 1953. They hired the Aurora Automatic Machinery Company to manufacture their engines in 1901, which they did under license until 1907 when they would go on to produce Thor motorcycles.

The first Indian motorcycles with chain drives were sold to the public in 1902 and the pair would go on to produce powerful and reliable vehicles. Hedstrom, a successful racer, broke a new world speed record of 56 mph in 1903 in the company’s first reliability trial and won an endurance race from NYC to Springfield and back. 1904 would bring the introduction of the signature deep red color and 1905, Indian’s first V-twin factory racer. Their reliability and ingenuity would make them the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world by 1910, taking the first three places at the 1911 Isle of Man.

In 1913, Indian began supplying the U.S. Army and turned the majority of their production efforts from 1917 to 1919 to World War I, most models being based on the PowerPlus. In 1914, Erwin “Cannon Ball” Baker set a record riding from San Diego to the East Coast on a PowerPlus. He would go on to ride a 1916 61ci (1000cc) 42-degree v-twin PowerPlus, which became a highly successful roadster and racing bike, remaining in production with few changes until 1924. In 1923, the company changed it’s name to the Indian Motocycle Company without an ‘r’ in motorcycle and Indian would continue making its mark, including the first Daytona 200 in 1937 with a Sport Scout. Indian turned yet again to war production from 1940 to 1945 during WWII and has underwent many changes in name in location since - from North Carolina, to Minnesota and Iowa, it is now owned and produced by Polaris Industries. Indian motorcycles are still widely known and purchased not just for their rich history and classic American style, but for their modern technology, craftsmanship, powerful engines, their comfortable touring models and cruisers, and their distinctive sound.

This 1909 Indian is in complete operational and original condition! She was manufactured in Springfield, MA only a couple of years after their first Indian Motorcycle was sold to the public in 1902 and a year after they introduced the V-twin, setting the world motorcycle speed record. This was the first year of the loop frame, and it has a 4 HP Hedstrom Motor from Hendee Mfg. Co. 1904 was also the year the trademark Indian deep red color was introduced, making this green factory paint rare.

All original with very rare factory green paint.
The first year of the loop frame.
For sale in complete operational and original condition.
Engine No. 20A352
HP: 5
ENGINE: 38 cu. in. pocket-valve v-twin-cylinder
CARBURETOR: Hedstrom
TRANSMISSION: Single-Speed, Chain Drive
FORKS: Cartridge Spring
START: Pedal Start
BRAKE: Rear Band-Brake
WHEELBASE: 52.25 in.