Frame off restoration of the military version of the venerable Indian Scout motorcycle, performed by known marque expert Jerry Greer Engineering of Deadwood, South Dakota.
Finished in Olive Drab with white initials, the 741’s paint and trim are in excellent condition. This model is period-correct down to its Indian tires, size 4.00-18.
The bike features a non-firing Thompson Machine Gun in its holster up front. In back are dual saddlebags the same color as the saddle and gun holster.
In 1933, to appease the sporting motorcyclists offended by the replacement of the 101 with the Standard Scout, Indian introduced the Motoplane. This had a Scout engine fitted into the frame of the discontinued Indian Prince single cylinder motorcycle. The Motoplane was also sold as the Pony Scout with the engine displacement reduced to 30.50 CID.
The power of the Scout engine was too much for the Prince-derived frame and the Motoplane was discontinued. The less powerful Pony Scout remained in production and was later renamed the Junior Scout. The Pony Scout and the Junior Scout were collectively known as the “Thirty-Fifty” after their engine displacement in cubic inches.
The most common Indian motorcycle made for military use in World War II was the 741, a military version of the Thirty-Fifty. These were primarily used by British and Commonwealth forces. Around 5,000 were sent to USSR under Lend-Lease Program.