This is a 1903 Indian motorcycle which is claimed to be the oldest-known unrestored example in existence.
I laugh that electric bicycles are becoming the rage now when these were made back in the early 1900’s. This is nothing more than a motorized bicycle, the 1.75-horsepower Indian. It was owned by the late Charlie Alder, Jr., who passed away last year. His carpenter father obtained it through a $50 barter in 1950, when he discovered it hanging on the wall of a dentist’s office, unused since 1920. Sadly it has spent most of its life in storage, although it has been taken on a tour of motorcycle events over the past several months to show off the history of the bike and the brand. As most motorcyclists we love the history of motorcycles. I have never met anyone who does not enjoy the history of motorcycles.
I really think it is cool that the Indian brand was launched in 1901 and started selling motorcycles to the public the following year. A few nuts and bolts are all that have been changed on the Alder bike, which is not currently in running condition. I actually think it would be a shame to restore this motorcycle as it is more history and should be kept in a motorcycle museum.
Many of the other “original” motorcycles from the period that are on display in museums are largely constructed from reproduced parts. This is the cool part of this motorcycle, that is it unrestored and awesome.
