1941 Indian Scout 741 Vintage Flat Track Racer Restored and Ready to Ride

I acquired this bike from the daughter-in-law of the original owner last year in Bluefield. WV. Here is the story she told me: Her father-in-law owned and operated the Indian Motorcycle Dealership in Bluefield. WV in the 30's. 40's and 50's. After WWII he got several 741 Scouts in trade. He also got several unmarked motors that had been originally sold to the Federal Government as replacements during the war. Sometime around 1950 or so. he decided to build a flat track racer. He put one of the new motors into this frame and then never got a chance to race it. The daughter-in-law had this bike restored for her son in 2012 as a gift and a memorial to his grandfather. but he had absolutely no interest in motorcycles (I think he needs to be institutionalized) so she put the bike on Craigslist. It sat there for over a year for two reasons. she misspelled "Indian" and she wanted too damn much money for it. Anyway. I bought it from her at a more "reasonable" price in April of 2014. Like a lot of these old race bikes. the generator was removed to save weight I guess and cut down on the possibility of slipping the generator drive chain during a race. It currently runs on what I call a "sacrificial ignition" system. which is short for "battery only". I have a brand spanking new $900. 00 Joe Hunt magneto made especially for a 741 Scout that I have not installed yet. It comes with the bike. As you can see from the pictures. the bike is in great condition. The most noticeable thing is that the dampers on the front girder forks are missing. however all the hardware. bolts and adjustment nuts are still there. As with any old Scout. it rides like a buckboard. but it runs great. It has the original Linkert carb. etc. The spark advance was never hooked up when it was built back in the 50's so it makes for interesting starting sometimes (can be a little dicey because you can't retard the spark) but usually roars to life on the first of second kick. To the best of my knowledge the motor has less than 50 miles on it since new. It is unmarked and the bike is titled off the frame. It's a hoot to ride. the breaks actually work very well and will stop you where you want to stop. Have I told you it's LOUD. sounds sort of like a P51 Mustang with a Merlin engine when you start it up. So no it's not a Chief and no it's not a 101 Scout. but it's an Indian by God and it's a part of motorcycle history. So if you want a bike that no one else will have and one that takes a knowledge greater than "turn key. push start button. pull in clutch" to ride. then this is the bike for you. It would be very easy to install a headlight and taillight and make this bike street legal in most states. especially if you leave the battery in-place to run them. Jerry Greer and several other folks have the complete generator set-up for this bike and it is an easy install. You could also use this as a basis for a complete restoration. but you would probably have more in it at that point than it would ever be worth. at least I'm honest. This would make a great display for a man-cave. restaurant or Indian Motorcycle Dealership! You guys in Charlotte and Greensboro reading this??? I've bought new Indians from each of you. seems only fair you buy one from me!You know you want it. so come on and buy it so I can get it out of my garage and get onto my next project. fixing up the bathroom. wooohooo! The price I have on it is what I have in it plus the cost of the magneto. I am not worried about making a huge profit on this bike. but I won't take less because I don't feel like subsidizing your purchase. Crating. shipping. pick-up or whatever is the complete and total responsibility of the buyer. I'm old and cranky. so don't expect me to find out how much shipping costs are. I have currently have a clear WV title made out to me from the previous owner. I will have clear Virginia title in my name this week for the new owner (I've just been too lazy to go to DMV).

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