Indian 741, ex-WD
Although George has made his name as an off-road ace and most of the bikes in his collection are either trials, scrambles or enduro machines, he also has several interesting road machines, including a pair oflightweight MVs, a prewar Blue Star BSAand two exAmerican Second World War Army issue model 741Indian V-twins.
In the days of the Depression in the 1930s,hundreds of US motorcycle manufacturers had fallen by the wayside and it was left to Harley-Davidson and Indian as the only ones left to carry the flag into the war years.
The Second World War changed both factories even before US involvement, as the armies of other countries needed motorcycles for their war effort and during the six years of hostilities, the Springfield company produced some 38,000 bikes, most of which went to the allies including Great Britain,
Canada, Poland, Australia and Russia.
With a detuned 500cc side valve engine, the 741was based on Indian's existing civilian model
Junior Scout and modified for the Army by extending the front forks and the rear frame for greater ground clearance. Also included was a rifle holder on the right front mudguard and an ammunition carrier on the left.
After the war, there were plenty of the American V-twins left in Europe, and with the UK home market machines in short supply - most of the factories' output going to export - many Indians were civilianised with a coat of paint and the removal of the ammunition and gun holders.
They sold well, but that's not to say they weren't quirky, as unlike the controls found on a conventional (British} machine, those on the American twins had a throttle on the left, an ignition advance and retard on the right and a foot operated clutch, initially all very confusing for those brought up with a standard layout.
George's pair of741s are now painted in a sparkling red hue but they are now very different to when they came his way over 50 years ago.
"Shortly after I moved to Wiltshire in 1965,my brother and I were offered four Indian twins, all in 'large lumps; along with an assortment of spares, which cost us a total of £25. My two were missing the exhaust pipes, foot brake and chainguard and the engine was extremely tired but I managed to fabricate the twin pipes and at that time all of the other spares needed were available through an Indian dealer based in Edinburgh.
"The Army issue green was very rough so all of the metalwork was sprayed in a red livery, but despite my best efforts with fresh petrol in the tank, plus a decent spark, it steadfastly fully refused to fire up.
"Thanks to the very helpful dealer in Edinburgh, I discovered that unlike British V-twins which had number one cylinder on the front, those on the Indian were the opposite way round, so with the timing adjusted, it just took one prod to bring the engine into life. With its foot clutch and lefthand throttle, riding the American twin took a bit of getting used to and initially the gearbox felt a bit 'notchy' but this was transformed by changing the oil for grease and although no speed machine, the 500cc side valve twin is happy to roll along at a steady 55 to 6omph:'