Board Track racers are fascinating machines for a myriad of reasons. For starters they’re pretty much uniquely American – which is an increasingly rare feat in the two-wheeled racing world – they possess an undeniable historical significance and they flat out exude an old-school cool and simplicity to them. This beautiful four-valve (two for each of its two cylinders) Factory Indian board Track racer was produced in 1913 (albeit Indian first started turning out board trackers in 1907) to be used strictly for competition purposes and while I can’t find an exact number of how many were produced, I’m confident in saying these skinny-wheeled scoots are incredibly rare.
Powered by a 1000cc (61ci) twin that featured a pair of slender pushrods, these lightweight machines were capable of speeds exceeding 100mph, all the while without any brakes. Like many racers, these machines required a tow, push, bump-start to get the engine fired up, however the absence of brakes meant the use of what was essentially a kill switch (and a spark advance) allowed pilots to have a tenuous control of the racer’s speed. Because these early motorcycles were raced on banked oval (or sometimes circular) wooden tracks, the riders would almost always keep the throttle wide open, utilizing the spark advance or kill switch if a situation required slowing down.
Like the rest of Indian’s board Track racers produced around this time, this example sports a Schleber carburettor as well as a magneto ignition. These relatively primitive racers didn’t possess a clutch and instead only had a compensating sprocket. This 1913 example has been fitted with new 28×2 1/4″ Coker tires and a period-correct Mesinger racing saddle. According to the seller: “Usually the drive chain for the pedal crank was removed and was not allowed on the racers, however this racing bike still has the chain in place.”
This example has been fully restored and is now reported to be in tiptop shape both cosmetically and mechanically. It is an interesting machine from (what I believe is) America’s first motorcycle company and is a great opportunity to pick up a stellar piece of both American motorcycle and Motorsport history. While I haven’t done enough research to confirm or deny this, the seller’s ad includes a link to what he says is “the only known to exist film on early board tracking” (forgive the language barrier), but either way it’s some pretty cool historical footage.
You can find this 1913 Indian board Track Racer for sale here on RaceBikeMart.com in Belgium with a price of $44,375 (or €37,500).