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Indian 441 1940

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Indian Four 441 (the number's last two digits indicate the year of production, 1941). Luxury four-cylinder motorcycle based on ACE model from 20s. This model was manufactured by Indian company from 1927 to 1942, being constantly improved and modified in this time. All together 12,000 units were built.

Engine: 1265cc (69.9x82.6mm) in-line four-cylinder, air-cooled, four-stoke. Schebler carburetor. Power output: 40 HP. Valves: overhead inlet/side exhaust. Transmission: 3 speed hand-change gearbox; chain final drive. Suspension: (front) left-sprung trailing link; (rear) sliding pillar. Brakes: (front) drum; (rear) drum. Weight: 569lb. maximum speed:100 mph (160 kph).

[img]The ancient predecessor of the Four was four-cylinder Henderson machine from 1912. After Henderson was taken by Schwinn company, a new make was created for this model: Ace. Under this name it was built from 1920 to 1924. Indian purchased the ownership of the name, rights, and production facilities of the Ace Motor Corporation in the end of 1926. Production was moved to Springfield.

In 1927 the motorcycle was sold under the name Ace, in 1928 - Indian Ace. In 1929 Indian Ace was renamed again and the Four appeared in sales catalogs. The first instance of the Four was Indian 401, a development of the Ace designed by Arthur O. Lemon, former Chief Engineer at Ace, who was employed by Indian when they bought Ace. The Ace's leading-link forks and central coil spring were replaced by Indian's trailing-link forks and quarter-elliptic leaf spring. By 1929, the Indian 402 would have a stronger twin-downtube frame based on that of the 101 Scout and a sturdier five-bearing crankshaft than the Ace, which had a three-bearing crankshaft. Despite the low demand for luxury motorcycles during the Great Depression, Indian not only continued production of the Four, but continued to develop the motorcycle. One of the less popular versions of the Four was the "upside down" engine on the 1936-1937 models. While earlier (and later) Fours had inlet-over-exhaust (IOE) cylinder heads with overhead inlet valves and side exhaust valves, the 1936-1937 Indian Four had a unique EOI cylinder head, with the positions reversed. In theory, this would improve fuel vaporization, and the new engine was more powerful. However, the new system made the cylinder head, and the rider's inseam, very hot. This, along with an exhaust valvetrain that required frequent adjustment, caused sales to drop. The addition of dual carburetors in 1937 did not revive interest. The design was returned to the original configuration in 1938. Like the Chief, the Four was given large, skirted fenders and plunger rear suspension in 1940. In 1941, the 18-inch wheels of previous models were replaced with 16-inch wheels with balloon tires. In 1942 Indian focused on production of Scout, which was more suitable for the army, and The Four was discontinued. Although the company studied several prototypes for postwar production, the '42 model remained the last of the American straight fours.

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