1948 Indian Scout "Big Base"

Metallurgy, ngineering, nduction and exhaust flow knowledge what it was in the 1940's it was not easy to make a competitive V-twin engine that would also endure 200 miles of professional dirt track racing. Bearings, istons, alues and connecting rods all suffered failures. The Indian "Big Base" Scout engine was a special race-only engine that incorporated some secrets learned on the track, ut them in play for pre-World War 2 and early post war racing eras and kept Indian competitive against its rival, arley Davidson. Indian Scouts were ridden to many wins by Indian Wrecking Crew riders Bobbie Hill, ill Tuman and Ernie Beckman. Earlier, n 1948 Floyd Emde won the Daytona 200 on a 648 Big Base.
Experts say there were two batches of Big Base engines with about 40 to 50 engines made complying with AMA rules which called for a minimum production of 25. The initial batch was in 1939, nd then the later 648 Big Base came in 1948. In appearance, ig Base crankcases were similar to standard Sport Scout units. The outward differences being a small triangular internal cavity near the lower rear portion of the crankcase and a shallower case for the timing gears. Inside you can see much beefier crankshaft bearing bosses. Designed by Indian factory engineer Allen Carter, his triangular area is hard to see, ucked in behind the primary and exhaust. Another difference; the 1939 engines were sand cast, he later batch for 1948 were like production Scout crankcases.
This Big Base Scout was built by master tuner and head Indian race mechanic Erwin " Smitty" Smith of Rock Island, llinois is most amazing in that its built up entirely from extremely rare new parts that Smitty kept from the end if the Scout's racing days, new old stock" This bike has been on display for the last couple years in Anamosa Iowa at the National Motorcycle Museum. Smitty passed a few years ago and now the family has asked myself to assist in selling of the "Big Base" Please feel free to message me and will do our best to answer your questions etc....

On Sep-09-15 at 22:55:58 PDT, eller added the following information:

We own a small exporting company based out of the quad cities. We are able and cable to ship this anywhere in the world.

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