Photo ou archives : J-A.Museau
3209
INDIAN
1000cc Powerplus -1920
A monumental achievement
At the same time that it launched the 1916 Powerplus roadster, the Indian factory was developing a racing version intended equally for board track and dirt-track competitions.
Cannonball Rides Again
On January 24, 1916, a carefully-prepared Powerplus roadster, ridden by the immortal Erwin G. "Cannonball" Baker, set a new 100 mile record. The following year "Cannonball" took the 24 hour non-stop solo record, covering 861 miles. That machine served as a test-bench for the racer, though the development program was necessarily side-lined in 1917-18 by the production of military motorbikes.
Records at Daytona
Racing was resumed in 1919, and the works-prepared Powerplus track bike, ridden by Gene Walker, took four out of the nine dirt-track events in the American Championship. At Daytona Beach, on April 12 through 15, 1920, another works-prepared Powerplus shattered speed records recently set by Harley-Davidson. Herbert MacBride took amateur class records, covering a flying kilometer at 97.3 mph, while in the professional class, Gene Walker achieved 105.7 mph. Over the flying mile, Walker recorded 104.6 mph and MacBride 98.7 mph, while over two miles the pair hit 102.7 and 98.2 mph and over five miles, they recorded 96.9 and 94.6 mph respectively, all records being FIM recognized.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 998cc (77x79mm) air-cooled 42-degree V-twin four-stroke
Power Rating: 7 hp (rated)
Valves: side
Fuel System: carburetor
Transmission: direct chain drive
Suspension: leaf-sprung trailing link (front); rigid (rear)
Brakes: none
Wheels: 28 inch wire clincher (front & rear)
Maximum Speed: over 105 mph
Indian made a life-size bronze sculpture of the dirt-track Powerplus racer and its rider Gene Walker to celebrate its many victories.