The Indian Motorcycle Company In Making
Posted by Harry Matlis on December 6, 2009
Royal Enfield is the oldest motorcycle model in the world that is still in production. The company started in Redditch, Worcestershire and was dissolved in 1971, but production in India goes-on to this day. The 1963 Royal Enfield Indian Motorcycle was the last to use the “Indian” name attached to Royal Enfield and sold in America…
While Royal Enfield was most famous for its sale of motorcycles, it made numerous other things, like rifle parts, lawnmowers, and bicycles. Their logo was a picture of a cannon with the motto “Made like a gun, goes like a bullet.
By 1955, Enfield of India began producing Bullet motorcycles under a licensing agreement with the UK brand, and by 1962 they were making complete bikes. Even when Royal Enfield dissolved in 1971, the Indian company, in Chennai continued production and bought the rights to the name “Royal Enfield” in 1995. They’re still in business as of 2009.
The year 1950 was a turning point for the Indian Motorcycle Company of America. A company called Brockhouse Corporation was helping with the finance of wavering Indian organization, and bought it in 1950. Some unlucky transactions led to the India branch being split into two: one for the sales, and one for manufacturing.
The overhead valve engine expenses was high and the manufacturing arm could not meet the retooling finances. So it closed in 1953, and some Indian purists thought that it was the end of “real” Indian motorcycles. But the sales arm was still functioning and didn’t fold.
The Brockhouse Corporation had the rights to the name and after the Indian manufacturing failed, they began importing Enfields and marketed them as Indian from 1955 to 1970. This was an example of “badge engineering” but it was not successful. Even though the dealers still went on with the matchless Indian name after 1959, the Indian name was removed from the motorcycles.
Disputes as to who will earn the brand name became a big issue during that time of Indian Motorcycle history. The Enfield Chief was still produced in 1960 – a rebadged Enfield 700 cc twin fitted with the fender guards, saddlebags and other Indian accessories.
In 1960, the Indian name was taken by Associated Motorcycles of Britain. But in 1963 the US distributorship of Associated Motorcycles was completely taken by the Berliner Motor Corporation and all the hints of Indian name were silently removed for good. Until 1999, the details of the agreement were lively through trademarks and branding disputes.
Floyd Clymer, who was a racer, author, motorcycle dealer, and a magazine publisher, obtained the sales sector of the Indian company in the mid 60s. He spent five or more years of his life trying to retrieve the Indian brand name by fitting Indian nameplates to Italian Velocette-based bikes, and even having a prototype built based on the original Indian V-twin pattern. Even though it was well received, it was the only prototype ever made.
An Indian scout motorcycle is a great addition to the collection of any motorbike fan . If you are interested in purchasing an Indian motorcycle jacket follow the hyperlinks.
categories: motorcycles,bikes,cycling,cars,vehicles,auto,science,transport,health,fitness
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