1930 SCOUT 101

‘You can’t wear out an Indian Scout’ was the boast long before the 101 was launched in the spring of 1928. Capacity had been hiked from the original 600 to 750cc for the 1927 Police Special, and it was this ’45 cubic inch’ engine that went into the 101. One of the best Indians ever, the new Scout was about 3in longer, 1in lower at the saddle and even had decent brakes. Big ‘balloon’ tyres were standard and handling exceptionally good. For 1931 there was a twistgrip-controlled oil pump to vary the delivery rate of lubricant. The 75mph 101 Scout was popular for amateur racing and Wall of Death. Despite the Depression, some 14,000 were sold before it was (unpopularly) replaced by the 203 Scout – a 750cc using the heavy Chief chassis – in 1932. The sporting image was regained with the 1934 Sport Scout – a winner for Ed Kretz at the first Daytona 200-miler in 1937.