That dampner knob controls how stiff the steering is. It tightens a star washer up against the lower yoke causing more friction. Loosey goosey or really tight and also controls front end wobble. Start with it barely tight. If you're going down the road and you notice the wheel wobbling, give that a turn and it should tighten up.
Thanks for the detailed explanation! That’s super helpful. I’ll definitely start with it barely tight, as you suggest, and keep an eye out for any front-end wobble. Knowing that I can adjust the dampener on the go is great for fine-tuning the ride. Really appreciate the tip-I'll give it a try on my next run. Thanks again for watching and commenting!
excellent ,kool bike ,dont mess with it yet ,learn to start & ride it first & enjoy it other wise youll just end up with a pile of bits & you might loosei interest .& the slight different paint colour gives it character . just have fun & do the few bits you need to .aee you on the next one.
Thanks so much for the awesome advice! I really appreciate the reminder to enjoy the ride before diving into any big changes. You're right about keeping the character of the bike-it's definitely growing on me, especially with that slight paint difference. I’ll focus on the basics first and make sure I get comfortable with it. See you in the next episode, and thanks again for the encouragement!
Nice! This is a Springfield, MA produced Indian vertical. The rebadged models came after the launch of models 249 Scout and 149 Arrow. How can one tell the difference between Springfield, USA and say a rebadged UK Enfield? Look at the location of the primary chain cover. A primary on the right is Springfield, Massachusetts, Indian Motocycle Co. A primary on the left is a UK badge engineered unit. For clarity, Right and Left is referenced from the rider while sitting on the motorcycle while in riding position. Enjoy the ride!
It's a Matchless-Indian. The engine itself is known for it's great reliability. Not many of those were ever made. I believe they were all 650s. The engine is made in England.
Thanks for the insight! The Matchless-Indian connection is super interesting. I’ve heard great things about the engine's reliability too, and it's cool to think about how rare these bikes are. Appreciate you sharing that info!
@@BugHugs_torque engineering started designing this bike in America back in 1943, Indian realizing the British competition bought TE in 45. Indian started making the 149 and 249 in Springfield Massachusetts in 1949 they did not import them at all. A British fellow by the name of Brockhouse took over Indian in 50 and kept the American production going but at the same time imported bicycles, the Papoose paratrooper bike and the Indian brave. In 1953 he stopped American production and everything after was British imports. Starting with Royal Enfield, then matchless and then there was a slew of bikes from England, Italy, Spain, Japan etc until the relaunch in Gilroy California
there is to kinds of bike riders, ones that had a Wreck and ones that are going to have a wreck ,i think you need to rethink this , if you don't your going to be in a lot of pain , you need to starter small and work up , take a small bike of road then you'll will have small wrecks..... well good luck☮
Thanks for the advice, Mick! I’m definitely taking things slow and making sure I get comfortable with the bike. Starting small and learning as I go sounds like solid wisdom. I’ll keep safety first and appreciate the good luck vibes! ☮
I would get you a $500 small Japanese bike to learn on so you don't ruin that gorgeous Indian when you dump it in the driveway. Everybody dumps their bike when learning. Good Luck Have Fun.
@stephengalvin3413 Thanks for the advice-it’s definitely something I’ve been thinking about! Starting out on something less risky makes a lot of sense. Do you have a favorite beginner-friendly bike you’d recommend? Appreciate the support and encouragement! 🙌
@@BugHugs_ I was pretty impressed with your first ride. You done good. But yeah any small Japanese bike is great I am partial to Hondas. The small twins like CB 350-450cc. That Indian is real Purty Hate to see it bunged up. It's good to do your learning on something a bit more disposable. It would break your heart to drop that Indian With a beginners mistake. At any rate welcome to the world of two wheels Have fun!!!
The British did not make this Indian. This Indian was made in Springfield Massachusetts in response to the British bikes starting to come to the States. The Scout 249 was 440cc
Very interesting point! Indian Motorcycles did start manufacturing bikes in the UK in 1948, right after World War II, as part of their strategy to tap into the European market and compete with British brands. My bike, the Indian Scout 249, is one of those UK-built models, featuring a vertical twin engine. It's cool to think about how they designed it specifically for European riders. I believe the seller has paperwork from the original owner, so I’m excited to dig into its history and see exactly where it was built. Thanks so much for the comment!
@@BugHugs_ the vertical Indians were made in Springfield Massachusetts not the UK. The UK bikes came over starting in 54 those were rebadged Royal Enfields and later on matchless bikes
Not a good bike for a newbie, go buy yourself a $ 400 dirt basher and get your skills up on the dirt. Once you’ve learned how NOT to fall off, take your Injun for a spin on the tarmac!👍🏻
Thanks for the advice, Kenneth! 😊 You’re so right-starting on a dirt bike is a smart way to build skills (and keep the Injun safe from newbie mistakes!). Do you have a favorite dirt basher you’d recommend? Would love to hear your thoughts! 👍🏻🏍️
@ Yamaha makes good,reliable dirt bikes and the choice of engine capacity is wide. Iwould recommend a 250cc trail bike,( not competition motocross).Happy motorcycling pal!
That dampner knob controls how stiff the steering is. It tightens a star washer up against the lower yoke causing more friction. Loosey goosey or really tight and also controls front end wobble. Start with it barely tight. If you're going down the road and you notice the wheel wobbling, give that a turn and it should tighten up.
Thanks for the detailed explanation! That’s super helpful. I’ll definitely start with it barely tight, as you suggest, and keep an eye out for any front-end wobble. Knowing that I can adjust the dampener on the go is great for fine-tuning the ride. Really appreciate the tip-I'll give it a try on my next run. Thanks again for watching and commenting!
excellent ,kool bike ,dont mess with it yet ,learn to start & ride it first & enjoy it other wise youll just end up with a pile of bits & you might loosei interest .& the slight different paint colour gives it character . just have fun & do the few bits you need to .aee you on the next one.
Thanks so much for the awesome advice! I really appreciate the reminder to enjoy the ride before diving into any big changes. You're right about keeping the character of the bike-it's definitely growing on me, especially with that slight paint difference. I’ll focus on the basics first and make sure I get comfortable with it. See you in the next episode, and thanks again for the encouragement!
@@BugHugs_ your welcome ,just keep at it & thanks for the great vids,good on ya
Nice! This is a Springfield, MA produced Indian vertical. The rebadged models came after the launch of models 249 Scout and 149 Arrow. How can one tell the difference between Springfield, USA and say a rebadged UK Enfield? Look at the location of the primary chain cover. A primary on the right is Springfield, Massachusetts, Indian Motocycle Co. A primary on the left is a UK badge engineered unit. For clarity, Right and Left is referenced from the rider while sitting on the motorcycle while in riding position. Enjoy the ride!
Thanks, Curt! That’s awesome info-I love learning these little details about the bike. Appreciate the tip, and I’m definitely enjoying the ride
It's a Matchless-Indian. The engine itself is known for it's great reliability. Not many of those were ever made. I believe they were all 650s. The engine is made in England.
Thanks for the insight! The Matchless-Indian connection is super interesting. I’ve heard great things about the engine's reliability too, and it's cool to think about how rare these bikes are. Appreciate you sharing that info!
No, this is an American made Indian vertical twin engine and it was known for its poor reliability. 😮
@@BugHugs_torque engineering started designing this bike in America back in 1943, Indian realizing the British competition bought TE in 45. Indian started making the 149 and 249 in Springfield Massachusetts in 1949 they did not import them at all. A British fellow by the name of Brockhouse took over Indian in 50 and kept the American production going but at the same time imported bicycles, the Papoose paratrooper bike and the Indian brave. In 1953 he stopped American production and everything after was British imports. Starting with Royal Enfield, then matchless and then there was a slew of bikes from England, Italy, Spain, Japan etc until the relaunch in Gilroy California
i had one of those ,it was in a box
Sounds like quite the project, Mick! Hopefully mine stays out of the box for a while. 😄 Appreciate you watching!
there is to kinds of bike riders, ones that had a Wreck and ones that are going to have a wreck ,i think you need to rethink this , if you don't your going to be in a lot of pain , you need to starter small and work up , take a small bike of road then you'll will have small wrecks..... well good luck☮
Thanks for the advice, Mick! I’m definitely taking things slow and making sure I get comfortable with the bike. Starting small and learning as I go sounds like solid wisdom. I’ll keep safety first and appreciate the good luck vibes! ☮
I would get you a $500 small Japanese bike to learn on so you don't ruin that gorgeous Indian when you dump it in the driveway. Everybody dumps their bike when learning. Good Luck Have Fun.
@stephengalvin3413 Thanks for the advice-it’s definitely something I’ve been thinking about! Starting out on something less risky makes a lot of sense. Do you have a favorite beginner-friendly bike you’d recommend? Appreciate the support and encouragement! 🙌
@@BugHugs_ I was pretty impressed with your first ride. You done good. But yeah any small Japanese bike is great I am partial to Hondas. The small twins like CB 350-450cc. That Indian is real Purty Hate to see it bunged up. It's good to do your learning on something a bit more disposable. It would break your heart to drop that Indian With a beginners mistake. At any rate welcome to the world of two wheels Have fun!!!
British made Indian ! They have a Killer Sound . Is it a 650 ? Should be .
The British did not make this Indian. This Indian was made in Springfield Massachusetts in response to the British bikes starting to come to the States.
The Scout 249 was 440cc
Very interesting point! Indian Motorcycles did start manufacturing bikes in the UK in 1948, right after World War II, as part of their strategy to tap into the European market and compete with British brands. My bike, the Indian Scout 249, is one of those UK-built models, featuring a vertical twin engine. It's cool to think about how they designed it specifically for European riders. I believe the seller has paperwork from the original owner, so I’m excited to dig into its history and see exactly where it was built. Thanks so much for the comment!
@@BugHugs_ the vertical Indians were made in Springfield Massachusetts not the UK. The UK bikes came over starting in 54 those were rebadged Royal Enfields and later on matchless bikes
Not a good bike for a newbie, go buy yourself a $ 400 dirt basher and get your skills up on the dirt. Once you’ve learned how NOT to fall off, take your Injun for a spin on the tarmac!👍🏻
Thanks for the advice, Kenneth! 😊 You’re so right-starting on a dirt bike is a smart way to build skills (and keep the Injun safe from newbie mistakes!). Do you have a favorite dirt basher you’d recommend? Would love to hear your thoughts! 👍🏻🏍️
@ Yamaha makes good,reliable dirt bikes and the choice of engine capacity is wide. Iwould recommend a 250cc trail bike,( not competition motocross).Happy motorcycling pal!