Depending on who you ask, the Indian Arrow was either a terrible idea or a necessary pivot in a changing post-war market. Either way, it was a failure that unfortunately contributed to the company’s bankruptcy in 1953. In 1945, Ralph Rogers and some backers bought a controlling interest in Indian, and they stopped production of the legendary Scout because they felt the future of motorcycling was in small-diplacement bikes. Replacing the usual lineup was a 436cc version of the Scout and the Arrow, which was powered by a 218cc OHV single. Here’s a restored example of the base model.
The bikes were well targeted for the up and coming generation of new motorcyclists, but riders who expected 750cc performance from the Scout were disappointed, to put it mildly. Production costs were high and reliability concerns resulted in larger than expected warranty costs. For more on the Arrow, check out this article on the AMA Hall of Fame.
This example (VIN: AD12419) was given a full restoration and it’s said to be ready to show or ride. The seller notes that the handlebars were left in original condition and the seat has been recovered in a custom pattern. Find this Indian Arrow for sale in Edgewater, Florida with a BIN of $9,800
This bike-uriousity brought to you by Rob B!