Description
H&H Classic Auction @ National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
30th Oct, 2024 13:00
1942 Indian 741 B
Beautifully restored example
Estimate
£17, 000 - £19, 000
Registration No: GLY 613
Frame No: 7415254
MOT: Exempt
Family owned since the 1970's
Restored by Alan Forbes in 996
Very little use since completion
Offered with V5c
The Indian 741 was designed in 1939 to be used mainly for the US army and the armies of its allies. The 741 had a flathead V-twin based on the civilian Thirty-fifty model the 741 was used mainly by couriers and scouts due to its lack of performance, but was very durable. A hand-change three-speed transmission with a foot-operated clutch is a typical practice for the day. The configuration is very similar to its bigger brother the 750 cc Military Scout ( model 640 B), but the 500 is built lighter as regards to both frame and engine. There are also many differences in detail. The 741 production ran for about 6 years till 1944 with about 35, 000 machines being made.
This 741 b Indian started its life with the Allied Forces at the RAF Airfield at Madley in Herefordshire during World War 2. The owner's late father acquired the bike in 1960 and was then registered for the road in 1973. In 1995 it was transported from Herefordshire to Edinburgh and was meticulously restored by the highly respected ‘Indian Man’ Alan Forbes of Motolux. This Indian V Twin is a mostly original machine, the restoration provided a complete mechanical overhaul, a new chrome silencer, and a new classic saddle seat. The original owner has ridden the bike intermittently since 1996 and there are nearly 400 miles on the clock. There is a MOT certificate from when it was restored, the last tax disc shows 1997. The bike starts easily, runs very well, and has just been checked over. It comes with the original logbook, some correspondence, and Indian Club magazines. Included is a rare copy of the ‘Indian Riders Handbook’ detailing the mechanics of the Indian Twin and Four models.
