1940 Indian Sport Scout

What was your intended objective when you started the build?

To build a reliable period correct 40 Indian Scout bobber that was plenty fast and that could be ridden reliably

What motivated you to start your project?

My son wanted a vintage Indian to ride with me when I rode my 43

What was the most unique and creative thing you did to the bike?

Making the kicker pedal out of a rat trap bicycle pedal

What are you most proud of?

I’m probably proudest of the oil tank I made out of a chromed fire truck exhaust pipe
And that this was the last bike I built with my son before he died.

What do other people say about your motorcycle?

It’s now my daily rider and still took best motorcycle at The Run to Raton last year

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Submitted by: David C

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Specifics

Make, Model & Year: 1940 Indian Sport Scout

Fondly known as: El Indio

Time spent: 900 hours

Motorcycle cost: I paid $35.00 for it in a basket in 1969

Money spent: I depresses me to know how much I spend

Engine: 1940 Indian Sport Scout stroked to 57 CID with Chief flywheels and Honda XL 250 pistons,Sportster Connecting rods Bonneville cams

Intake: A Linkert replacement carb for a Knuckle Head sold by Beck with Indian venturi and nozzle and one of Landstroms foundry repro brass air horn covers (pant shield) with filter material from an oxygen condencer.

Exhaust: A set of drag pipes from Jacob Junkers modified to fit the 40 frame

Transmission: Indian’s infamous 3 spd crash box.

Frame: A 40 Sport Scout that had been raced hard from the number plates and the 4″ bend in the front section

Suspension: A hard tail and girder

Wheels, tires and brakes: 4.00 x 18 K81s for a balance between vintage looks and handling.The rear wheel is stock 40 Scout the front is a Trimph conical hub with vented duel leading shoe brakes for that peroid look and enough brake to not get me killed riding in the mountians

Finish – Paint: I did all the paint Pat wanted it red so I used International red enamel

Accessories: The Aces stainless bars just had the right period look, a alternator from a toyota forklift painted so it looks kinda vintage and I don’t walk home like the 6v generator caused frequently