1911 Indian

After taking a closer look at the wheelsets, two of the sets are made for much thinner tyres. the blue wheels with the white stripes on them are the thinner pair
 

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If Australia’s bike history is anything like the States then I believe those are actually old bicycle wheels from a short lived transitional era in the late 1920’s/early 30’s.

They bridged the gap between the earlier wooden and metal clad wooden wheels ( all 28”) and the increasingly popular balloon tires ( 26er’s) that followed.

The earlier wheels had to have the tires glued into place and of coarse the newer balloon tires were grippers ( no doubt this helped their quick raise in popularity)

Yours are also were meant to have grippers, but I imagine proper tires are quite hard to find now days.

I’d sure like to find a set of those here for a old Elgin project I have, I’m hoping I could force some 700 mm tires on to some someday! :)

-Kirk
 
I concur that these are actually old bicycle wheels and not motorcycle wheels. A nice find for a builder of an old bike. I think I will have to pass on them as I need to mount motorcycle tires on my wheels. I think if you post on EBAY you could sell these quickly. There are folks looking for these.
 
Chassis saver or Pro-15 paint right on after wire brushing. Dries hard and glossy and then can be painted over. It is a must in the sun oxadizes it. Most stree rodders use it on old rusty frames..........Curt
 
The rims look the same as the ones i have. They must be more common over here in Oz then they are over there in the states. They arent exactly rare and you do see them, mostly on EBay still on old bicycles....... and im pretty sure you can still get thinner Schwalbe Fat Franks to fit, maybe not the best for a 6.5HP Clone but would look great on a bicycle or lower HP MB.
 
Interesting.

They’re pretty scarce around here- Tires must also be easier to find then?

-Kirk
 
Well it's official. I have entered my Indian in the 2012 EasyRiders Sacramento bike show January 14th-15th 2012 in the People's Choice Division. This show attracts 20,000 people, so it's going to be very large. It should be a lot of fun.
 
cobrafreak said:
Well it's official. I have entered my Indian in the 2012 EasyRiders Sacramento bike show January 14th-15th 2012 in the People's Choice Division. This show attracts 20,000 people, so it's going to be very large. It should be a lot of fun.
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Good idea. Will make a nice change to all the over priced choppers etc!
 
brett7777 said:
Good idea. Will make a nice change to all the over priced choppers etc!
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Exactly my line of thinking as well. It will also be refreshing to actually have a bike on the floor that has patina rather than buff and polish. It saddens me that many cars and bikes are never driven or used only to live their boring lives on a piece of carpet or behind glass. If I can't use it, I don't want it.
 
agreed,,,
a few rock chips and scratches show a well used machine :)
(at least that's what I tell myself while looking at my bike ;))
 
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Someone asked me if I would sell my Indian. I don't intend to as it's my favorite toy, but help me put a value on it. What do you guys think a fair price would be if I were ever to sell it to fund another project?
 
That's a tough one. I'd guesstimate between $2500 and $3K, but you can prolly get $5K+ for it if someone really wants it.

You could probably reproduce it for what, $2500 or less? Yet, look what $3500-$4500 can buy in a brand new complete MaB.

And then there's always the fact that it's not street legal whatsoever rotfl
 
I am unable to view it from any point of view as "fair", because bgf offers a kit for a 'fair' price, distinguished builders here sell mabs for profit, and I am NOT a buyer.
That being said, 2k comes to mind first.
Best
rc
 
If you get a good offer then take it. If you try to sell it later you may not get the same money. Usually if someone wants something bad enough they will offer enough to get it. Let them keep offering till you say yes.
 
I'm going to have to agree whit Pat, its hard to find a buyer when you are looking for one especially for a item like this.

Speaking from personal experience I had a heck of a time trying to sell my clone engine bike, nobody wants a expensive novelty bike unless it is registered and street legal. I happen to get lucky and sold it to a guy who wanted it for display purposes in a store.

In all reality you bike is probably worth 2-2.5k I would tell the guy 3k and see what he says.

Besides with all the knowledge you gained from building this bike and money you would have from it's sale imagine what you could build. wink wink
 
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