Indian Four

In the 1930's Indian was looking to create a flagship model to better combat Harley Davidson. Another American motorcycle manufacturer, Henderson, was offering their Ace brand for sale. Ace had an inline four cylinder model designed by Henderson. Indian adopted the four cylinder engine for the Indian brand as a top of the line model.

In the mid 30's Indian tried to refine their new engine by creating what was known as the "upside-down" four. The new design featured exhaust valves over the intake valves, with the carburetors mounted low and the exhaust mounted high. The new design didn't last however, customers complained about the excessive heat, and the "upside-down four only lasted two years.

The four cylinder Indians didn't last much longer. In 1943 the last one was produced. Closing the chapter on American four cylinder bikes.