1912 HEDSTROM RACER REPLICA

Headline news in 1906 was the addition of the 633cc V-twin racers to the catalogue, soon followed by the road version (still with a camelback tank). A single-loop cradle frame replaced the bicycle-style diamond frame in 1909, and there was a coiled spring in a cartridge mounted horizontally above the mudguard to provide suspension for the forks (although the famous leaf-spring forks were introduced for the 1910 season. There was also a new 988cc F-head engine with a mechanical oil pump, and these engines were reduced to 585cc to make them eligible for the 1911 Isle of Man Senior TT, the first time the race was run over the Mountain course. With all-chain drive, a clutch and a two-speed gearbox the red Indians swept the board with a 1-2-3 finish. At the end of 1911, Indian held all 121 American speed and distance records. For the motodromes, Hedstrom developed an eight-valve engine but these rare beasts were for the chosen few. Mere mortals used a tuned F-head like this 1912 racer replica.