pre-WWII Indians,1917 Indian Light Twin Model O Project

One of the rarest pre-WWII Indians
1917 Indian Light Twin Model O Project
Engine no. 32J281
Like the Harley-Davidson Model W Sport, the Indian Light Twin Model O was inspired by the British Douglas that likewise used a horizontally-opposed, twin-cylinder engine. Replacing the short-lived Featherweight two-stroke, the Model O was introduced in 1917 and, like the Douglas, had its engine set fore-and-aft in the frame. According to Indian, the Model O was ‚a machine of light weight, low fuel consumption, moderate cost and sufficient speed and power.‘ Although endowed with sewing-machine smoothness, the engine displaced only 15.7ci (257cc) and had a claimed maximum power output of 4bhp – good enough for a top speed of only 36mph – so it is not at all surprising that Indian’s customers preferred the larger and more powerful v-twin models. Production ended in 1919 and the Model O remains one of the rarest of pre-WWII Indians