Description
-= CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE =-
Manufacturer: Indian
Model: PowerPlus Daytona
Year: 1919
Capacity: 1000cc
Engine number: 84M226
Competition between the major American motorcycle manufacturers was fierce in the 20th Century’s opening decades, a factor that greatly accelerated technological development. In Indian’s case, the need to stay ahead of rivals Excelsior and Harley-Davidson prompted the introduction of an eight-valve v-twin racer in 1911 and then in 1916 a new 1000cc flat head (sidevalve) v-twin - the Powerplus - was introduced to replace the production F-head (inlet over exhaust) type. Development of the Powerplus had been initiated after Harley-Davidson trounced Indian in the 300-mile Venice road race in the spring of 1915, chief designer Charles Gustafson suggesting that a well-designed sidevalve ought to prove good enough to beat the Harleys. The 42-degree v-twin configuration of the existing Oscar Hedstrom-designed F-head engine was retained, but with side valves and increased use of roller bearings. Gustafson’s intuition did indeed prove correct, the new 1000cc twin proving more powerful than its predecessor right from the start, hence the ‘Powerplus’ name. In September 1919 the Powerplus racer appeared with a new Harley-style frame, open at the bottom, that used the engine as a stressed member. A revised Daytona version of this frame was introduced the following year featuring top tubes and steering head lowered by an inch or two to achieve a lower saddle position. Readily recognized by its ‘S’ shaped seat tube, the Daytona frame quickly became the Indian factory racers’ favorite.
Indian compressed performance and design into one piece. The answer was the Daytona.
The Indian needs an overhaul of the mechanics. The engine runs.
A video of the running motorcycle can be seen on our website.
