Indian Motorcycles 741-b Scout 1942
In 1939, with involvement in World War Two imminent, Indian began developing a 30.5ci (500cc) version of the Sport Scout called the Model 640.
The engine was derived from that of the Junior Scout with a lowered compression ratio, mild valve timing and other modifications designed to ensure reliability. It featured a T-shaped inlet manifold instead of the Sport Scout’s Y-shape and an oil bath air cleaner was added. Ground clearance was increased by fitting longer front forks and modifying the rear frame and the mudguards were mounted well clear of the wheels to prevent clogging with mud.
Following its evaluation by the US military, Indian developed a 45ci (740cc) version of the 640 designated 640-B. However, the US military authorities preferred the 45ci Harley-Davidson Model WLA but Indian supplied substantial numbers of the 30.5ci (500cc) 640, which was designated the 741-B Scout, to allied forces in Britain, Poland, Russia, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
This 1942 example was imported into the US from Belgium in May, 2000, having been restored more in the style of an earlier Sport Scout by the owner in Rotterdam in about 1995. It was purchased by Hibou Motor Classics in Miami, Florida, in May, 2008, from a private vendor in Hollister, California. It was subsequently acquired for the NZ Classic Motorcycles collection via a US auction house in October, 2008.