1925 BIG CHIEF
For the 1920 season a radically different Indian was launched: the 600cc Scout, with semi-unit construction – the engine, primary drive, clutch and gearbox were locked together. The primary drive consisted of three helical gears, each on roller bearings, all enclosed in an oil-tight alloy casing. Instead of a single camshaft to operate all four valves there were now two camshafts, each with a single-lobe cam to operate both inlet and exhaust valves of one cylinder through pivoted cam followers. Heads and barrels were cast in one piece. The double-loop cradle frame had a flat platform to mount the engine/transmission. But there were those who demanded more power. Enter the Chief, launched on Labor Day, September 1921. The 998cc engine delivered about 20hp, enough for brisk acceleration to a top speed of 65mph. But Harley had gone supersize with a 1200cc engine in 1921. The Chief was more technically advanced, but Indian needed something bigger for the 1923 season – enter the 1200cc Big Chief. In November that year Hendee Manufacturing Company became Indian Motocycle [sic] Company.