In 1901 a Massachusetts entrepreneur and bicycle racer George Hendee teamed up with racing bicycle builder Oscar Headstrom.  They formed a company called India Motorcycle where they built versions of Headstrom’s bicycles, but changed to be a motorcycle.  This was the first major production of the American motorcycle.  Their first motorcycle was called the India Chief.  “Many classic motorcycle aficionados today rate the Indian Chief, with its streamlined fenders, the most beautiful motorcycle ever built.”  Indian Motorcycle was the first to introduce the loop frame, swing-arm suspension, electric starting, and lights.  By 1923, Indian Motorcycle had sold more than a quarter of a million motorcycles.  I am impressed that in the early 1900’s a company could sell so many motorcycles.  It is amazing to think that a bicycle racer and a bicycle builder could change the design of bicycle’s and turn them into motorcycles that so many people wanted.

Evaluation- Justin Gerade