Old 1914 Indian Model F Board Track racing motorcycle once owned by legendary Hollywood actor Steve McQueen is to be offered for sale by Bonhams at the International Classic MotorCycle Show in Stafford, UK, on Sunday 28th April.
Indian’s co-founders were George M Hendee and Carl Oscar Hedstrom. Lacking a clutch, throttle and brakes, board-track racing motorcycles were push-started and run flat-out until the end of the race when the rider would short the magneto to stall the engine. Although rudimentary, they nevertheless could reach 100mph.
This board-track racer is powered by Indian’s 4hp, 30.5ci (500cc) engine featuring inlet-over-exhaust valve gear. It is fitted with a clutch, though this appears to be inoperative. The frame is Indian’s conventional loop-type, though with geometry different from that of the roadster’s, the fork angle being steeper and the wheelbase shorter. This altered fork angle effectively moves the engine closer to the front wheel, thus improving steering and high-speed stability.
Restored by marque specialist Stephen Wright, this 1914 Indian was once owned by motorcyclist and actor, the late Steve McQueen. The machine was purchased at Bonhams’ sale at Carmel, California in May 2010 and since then has formed part of a private collection.
The 1914 Indian Model F Board Track racing is predicted to fetch up to $43,000 when it goes under the hammer at Bonhams.
