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 Indian - 1265 Mod. 441
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Indian Mod. 441 motocyclette motorrad motorcycle vintage classic classique scooter roller moto scooter
Photo ou archives : F-M. Dumas
110

Capacity : 1265
Model : Mod. 441
Production : 1941 -
Category : (R) Street Bike

INDIAN

Four-Model 441 - 1941

End of the line

All that remains of the long history of the American motorcycle today is Harley Davidson and its unchanging V-twins. But the land of the wide-open spaces once boasted a multitude of makes and models, particularly a long line of four-cylinder bikes, of which the Indian 441 was the last – and maybe finest – example.

Famous for Four Cylinders

It was in 1927 that Indian, one of the greatest American makes, bought another notable manufacturer, Ace, renowned for its in-line fours. Ace production continued little changed until 1936, when Indian unveiled a curious new four with overhead exhaust valves and side intakes.

Best of the American Fours

Then in 1938 came a new model that was to prove one of the best of the American in-line fours. Its power unit had the cylinders cast in pairs with light-alloy cylinder heads; Indian had returned to the normal valve layout for this type of power unit, with overhead inlet and side exhaust valves. Sliding pillar rear suspension was added in 1939. The year 1940 saw the appearance of the flamboyantly skirted fenders that were to characterize American bikes at that period. The Indian Four remained in that form, with minor detail changes, until the end of production in 1942. Although the Springfield, Massachusetts, company studied several prototypes for postwar production, the '42 model remained the last of the American straight fours.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 1265cc (69.9x82.6 mm) in-line four-cylinder four-stroke

Power output: 40 hp

Valves: overhead inlet/side exhaust

Fuel system: Schebler carburetor

Transmission: 3-speed hand-change gearbox; chain final drive

Suspension: (front) leaf-sprung trailing link; (rear) sliding pillar

Brakes: (front) drum; (rear) drum

Wheels: wire 4.50x18 in (5.00x16 optional)

Weight: 569 lb

Maximum speed: 100 mph

Luxurious and well-equipped, the Indian Four was ideally suited to the fitting of a sidecar, like the rare Goulding built in Michigan.




Le fichier Moto Passion réalisé par François-Marie Dumas réunit près de deux mille photos accompagnées d'un historique très complet des machines présentées.
Il sera progressivement mis à jour ici et toute information complémentaire est la bienvenue sur info@moto-collection.org.

Cette documentation unique, qui constitue sans doute l'encyclopédie la plus exhaustive jamais écrite sur l'histoire de la moto, a été réalisée avec l'assistance de nombreux spécialistes dont principalement Didier Ganneau, Christophe Gaime, Mick Woollett, Jean Goyard, Bernard Salvat, Christian Rey, Yves Campion, Helmut Krackowizer, Michael Dregni, Michel Montange, etc. que je remercie ici.

Disponible sur demande :
- Les fiches originales sur papier
- Les photos et archives signées de mon nom en haute définition ou les documents originaux.
Me contacter sur info@moto-collection.org pour les conditions et droits d'utilisation.