Admin Posted April 1, 2022 Posted April 1, 2022 An electric-powered 1929 Indian 4? Who would have the guts to do that? Detroit Hayward, that’s who. (Indian Motorcycle/) Who would take a sought-after 1929 Indian 4 and stuff it with an electric powertrain? You might not think anyone would. But then there’s Randy “Detroit” Hayward. Hayward, from Detroit’s Ferndale neighborhood, is a collector of vintage motorcycles, including a 1929 Harley-Davidson DL 45 and a Henderson Board Tractor. He also owns some unique customs, such as a 1971 Honda chopper built by “Yosemite” Sam Radoff. But this Indian 4 is by far a truly unique custom. Hayward, who founded the Traveling Black History Museum, felt like doing something new. And in his mind, that meant stuffing a battery powertrain into his Indian 4. The bike, built by “some friends and secret wizardry,” has earned the nickname “The Endian.” We don’t have many details about the chain-driven Endian’s battery or powertrain. But thanks to Indian Motorcycle’s video, it sure is cool as hell to gawk at. This is the first of four videos that Indian is producing, each one “celebrating four industry ‘first movers’ who have made their mark in motorcycling—each with their own special vignette.” Indian enthusiasts will know that the original Indian 4 was based on the Ace motorcycle. This was shortly after Indian acquired the ownership of the Ace Motor Corporation’s name, rights, and Philadelphia production facilities, which Indian eventually moved to Springfield, Illinois. This bike is now a showpiece queen. Hayward pilots it often through the suburbs of Detroit. (Indian Motorcycle/) Electric motorcycles are nothing new; they go back to the late 1800s, and were publicized in a 1911 issue of Popular Mechanics in an article simply titled “Electric Motorcycle.” The magazine claimed the motorcycle would “run from 75 to 100 miles on a single battery charge, start instantly on a turn of a switch, and run absolutely without noise.” The bike was powered by a six-cell 12-volt battery, weighed 200 pounds, and had a 51-inch wheelbase. The magazine said the three-speed bike would hit 35 mph. This tradition of electric-powered American iron continues in Detroit thanks to Hayward’s latest custom. Many think of steel and snow when Detroit is mentioned. But how about an electric Indian 4? (Indian Motorcycle/) View the full article Quote
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