1919 Indian Powerplus

This 1919 Indian Powerplus was on display at Otis Chandler’s Vintage Museum of Transportation and Wildlife until 1997, when it was acquired by the current owner. Finished in red with gold leaf and pinstriping, the bike is equipped with an optional “Cradle Spring” frame and receives power from a 61ci side-valve V-twin paired with a 3-speed gearbox. The current owner is a collector and restorer of vintage motorcycles who carried out a cosmetic and mechanical refurbishment following his acquisition from the museum’s collection. Work included refinishing the frame and bodywork, overhauling the engine, servicing the magneto, and installing a pair of replacement Coker 28×3 white studded tires. The bike has received several trophies and awards, though it has not been started or ridden since the refurbishment was completed. The seller is now offering this Indian on behalf of the current owner in Canoga Park, California on a bill of sale. The refurbishment included a repaint in Indian Red, complete with pinstriping and gold leaf tank logos. The standard Powerplus model came with a rigid frame, though this example is equipped with an optional Cradle Spring Frame, which utilizes a pair of trailing leaf springs and a swingarm. All of the nickel-plated components were re-plated during the refurbishment. The Powerplus utilizes twist-grip controls for both handles, with the throttle located on the left and the ignition advance/retard on the right. Control levers for gear selection, compression release, and the clutch are located beside the fuel tank as shown above. The clutch lever is also linked to the clutch pedal positioned on the left side of the bike. The hand-operated oil pump for the lubrication system is reported to work along with the tank-mounted fuel primer. Equipment includes a flared front fender, floor boards, and a fold-up center stand. A custom stand was fabricated to allow both wheels on the ground for display purposes and is included. The 28″ wire wheels come wrapped in a set of replacement button-tread tires from Coker. Indian’s side-valve V-twin displaced 61 cubic inches for 1919 production and produced approximately 15-18 horsepower. The cylinders and heads were cast in one piece, with telescoping covers protecting the four valve stems and their springs. This example is equipped with Schebler carburetor and a Bosch magneto. Power is routed through a 3-speed gearbox and chain drive. The 1990s refurbishment reportedly included new piston rings, a resurfaced crankshaft, bearings, and bushings. The bike was started after being removed the museum in 1997, though it has not been started since the refurbishment was completed to prevent discoloration in the exhaust. Over the past 22 years, the bike has won multiple best-in-class and best-in-show awards, including at the recent Handford Vintage and El Camino Classic motorcycle shows. These trophies will accompany the sale. The bike has not been registered since 1990, and an old California title document assigned to a previous owner is included along with the bill of sale from the Otis Chandler Museum.