Description Indian 1929 “ Series 402” 1265 cc inline IOE four engine # EA423 Early in 1927 Indian bought the entire assets of the famous ACE motorcycle corporation. Indian proceeded to manufacture the Indian –ACE until 1928 when the Indian Four took its place. The 1265 cc engine has overhead inlet valves and side exhaust valves and delivered in the late twenties form about 30 HP. About ten years later this had grown to about 40 HP and tuned examples were known to put out some 50 HP! But with output also the weight grew: a 1929 4 would weigh about 200 kg, a 1942 model (the last year of manufacture) weighs 255 kg. The Indian Four of 1929-31 shares most of its cycle parts with the graceful model 101 Scout: it’s a low-built, pleasantly streamlined machine, with the added attraction of a smooth and silent, car-engine like power source. The successor of the Indian-Ace, the “Series 401”, had been in production from the summer of 1928 till the spring of 1929 and was then succeeded by the “Series 402”. The most important improvements were a new double front down tube frame and the fitting of five main bearings for the engine instead of the three that had been used before. Further modifications included new connecting rods with larger bearings and an improved clutch. As to this “Series” policy: in the spring of 1928 Indian had announced that the company would stop introducing annual models but instead would introduce improvements as soon as possible. For these “running changes” the production line wasn’t stopped to implement the improvements. Indian continued the 402 series up to to March, 1931. Then the company returned to the annual models system by introducing the new 1931 models; the “Series” system had never really caught on with the public. This iconic Four is an authentic older restoration that hasn’t been used for a number of years, so some recommissioning will be required. She is fitted with the wired-on rims and tyres that were standard fittings from August, 1929. The dashboard-mounted amp gauge, switch and lighting likely are original and not aftermarket items. Accessories include a handlebar-mounted Wakefield searchlight and a tyre pump.
