Indian 1912 4 HP 499 cc 1 cyl IOE 3504

Indian 1912 4 HP 499 cc IOE belt drive single engine # 48D748

In the early days of the motorcycle belt drive was the prevailing system to transmit the engine power to the driving wheel. For instance, a company like Harley-Davidson held on to belt drive till 1913. The Hendee manufacturing Company however had different ideas and fitted all its machines with chain transmission from the very first prototype in 1901. It’s interesting to note that Indian did decide to introduce a 4 HP single cylinder belt drive model in their 1910 range, apparently because there was public demand for it. The front and rear pulleys were of almost equal diameter so that the arc of contact was almost 180 degrees. In the 1911 range two belt drive models of 2 ¾ and 4 HP capacities were included but the 1910 design was abandoned and a more conventional drive was adopted, with small front and big rear pulley.
For the 1912 season the 2¾ HP (316 cc) model was dropped and the belt drive 4 HP was continued with only minor modifications, a notable one being the fitting of the new type of Bosch magneto. This enclosed magneto was advertised in Europe as a “waterproof” device, the 1912 Indian catalogue referred to it as “improved armored magneto”. The belt drive was not available on the twin models, because, according to the catalogue, “…the Indian motors develop such a great amount of power that to apply belt drive satisfactorily to the twin cylinder machine would require a belt of inconvenient proportions, which would necessitate such wide pulleys that the machine would be too awkward to meet with public favor. (…) The Indian engineers have designed a neat and efficient clutch in the engine pulley, which is controlled by a big lever on the left side of the tank. A spring loaded idler pulley makes it possible to vary the tension of the belt. This pulley is operated by a small lever and quadrant mounted on top of the cylinder, within easy reach of the rider’s hand.”
By 1913 the continuing development of countershaft systems and gearboxes made the belt drive system less practical and it was abandoned on most American-made machines; in Europe belt drive held its own on a number of makes till the mid-twenties.
The machine we offer here comes in excellent authentic condition. She has been restored mechanically and is a reliable runner. She’s correct in every detail: top tube toolbox with leather Indian-stamped cover, Bosch ZE1 magneto, original saddle with Indian logo, Hedstrom carb, Corbin contracting band rear brake. Nice details are the New-York made 20th Century acetylene front lamp and the characteristic green Splitdorf spark plug and 28-inch white Firestone tyres.