I just love these old photos of motorcycles and cars. Firstly the original picture is of a single cylinder Indian motorcycle of 500cc (which equates to 30.50 cubic inches capacity the preferred method of the USA to measure engine capacity). What the modifications are on top of the fuel tank I can only guess at. They may be to do with improving performance or extra fuel carrying capacity. I won't speculate.
The original picture is of a chain drive motorcycle, whereas the second picture which shows an 'inner' rim is the wheel mounted drum for a belt driven cycle. Indian always preferred chain drive over belts from day one of production.
The keys to dating this image are the fork mounted leaf spring which was introduced in 1910 and lasted until 1946, and the name Indian which in this picture is the 'cursive' form adopted in 1911. So that alone tells us it is a post 1911 motorcycle. The exact date of course could be somewhat later still, but
definitely no earlier than 1911, and definitely no later than 1913 given his early demise, so you can now adjust your dates on that jo68.
You might find this website of interest as it shows a post 1911 belt driven single cylinder 500cc Indian with an asking price of $75.000 in 2008! Don't you just wish you had one of those going spare in the basement eh?!
http://thevintagent.blogspot.com/2008/09/1911-indian-belt-driver-for-sale.htmlHope you find the colour images interesting.
Philip
PS the pedals would have been used to start the engine on its stand as there was no electronic start in those days. Also if one ran out of fuel, pedalling eventually got you to your destination or a filling station, though exhausted and sweaty!
I remember my father having such experiences on his small motorcycle which followed the same principles lol. Poor old chap! Came home wheezing more than once
