It’s not very often a rare piece of motorcycle history is up for sale, let alone a museum exhibit. Well, this 1934 Indian is both and it could be yours! Found here on eBay with a current bid of just over $6,000, the bike is a factory-built hillclimber with documents to prove it. Being sold by the Wheels Through Time museum in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, they are apparently only selling the bike to make more room for another exhibit. Check out more of this amazing time capsule below.
As you can see in the first photo, there is a ton of documents and photographs to back up the history of this machine. The owner was Jim Raupach from Akron, Ohio and the bike was purchased from his family in 2006. It appears this bike is the one on the right in the photo above. Notice the handlebars and rear sprocket. I’m guessing that it may be Jim Sr. and Jr.? Along with the posed photos, there are also some action shots from hill climbs as well along with Jim’s nameplate and competition license from 1958!
Here you can see what’s left of the engine. The chassis was originally set up for a 74″ engine, but unfortunately, there isn’t a lot left. Obviously the heads are gone but I’m no motorcycle expert. I’m sure Dale at Wheels Through Time could tell the buyer what it would take to get this thing put back together.
Here is a good look at the top of the chassis and engine. According to the ad, factory-built hillclimbers would have had special one-off transmission, frame, gas tanks, and factory rear fender. It was set up for a single-row primary and features a stretched rear end. It also features an Indian “Prince-style” fork, which apparently was common on most Indian hillclimbers. Overall, this is a really cool bike that would make an awesome display piece or a restoration project. What would you do with it?
Can’t believe he is selling this piece of history.
Are those chains on the back tire in the picture? That must of been one smooth ride!
Chains are very commonly used on hill climb bikes as are paddle tires. A run typically takes <30 seconds and there’s very little sitting involved.
I had the pleasure of visiting the museum in October. It is one of the best museums I’ve ever visited, and THE best motorcycle museum. There is a large area purely dedicated to hill climbing bikes and their evolution, and the number of hill climbers they have is incredible, as is the size of their total collection. They have another section dedicated just to Hendersons, that’s how comprehensive their collection is.The vast majority of their bikes run and are started periodically to keep them that way.
Likely this one is a duplicate that is less complete than another in their existing collection. I’ll be visiting again!
JohnfromSC – Have you been to Barber’s outside Birmingham, Alabama? Outstanding place to visit (you need a whole day plus). An added bonus is to go when the adjacent track has an event.
P W,
No, haven’t had the pleasure. I got to Maggie Valley as it is only 2 hours from my new digs just south of Charlotte ( I successfully escaped from Connecticut two years back.)
Looks like the buyer of this will be paying a lot of visits to the Indian Owners group. At a time like this I ask the question: Where’s Sammy Pierce when you need him?!?!?
Mike & Frank on American Pickers might be interested in these old Indians & Harleys!
Where is Mike Wolfe ???? He should be all over this #historychannel
He picked this bike, or another early hill climber for this museum.
Just cool as can be!! I’m sure sourcing parts might be a challenge!!!
Love the old pics with the chains. Wouldn’t want to find/pay for parts…but that is what makes ot fun of you know what you’re doing. I wouldn’t have a clue…
cool…..
I don’t know about you, but my hill climbin’ days are over. Maybe as a non-running display, but not enough of it to restore. This Mike Wolfe goes ape over some old Indian tool box for $900 bucks and seemingly astonished he found that, can you imagine what the rest of the parts would cost? Of course, in this day and age, who cares, eh?
well, some DO care, we ( I ) just don’t have the money. Watch frm afar.
Actually I’m pretty close: THE ‘Indian Building’ is right here in Spfld, MA;
the 1st hill climb site just dwn the rd frm it in Munson, MA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODqqVtCdHuk
the competition btwn Indian & HD – creating the USA industry. Yup, only history, still interesting to a “car guy”, history that’s alive in this very day…
Don’t havea TV so no ‘Pickers’, don’t hafta know who ‘Mike Wolf’ is~