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David is currently compiling a book on the
the 741 and is seeking pictures, hard copies of wartime
or restored examples etc. Customary recognition would be given and all
material returned.
If you can contribute please email
David Page
*View a military
crated
741 powerplant
*Related Articles
Other 741's
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Military Indians,
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For the past six years I have been compiling
information from around the world on the Indian model 741-B with the
goal of producing a restorers guide, that has at it's heart a section
covering every modification and part change the ever took place. This
has for the most part been completed; photographing all the affected
parts is now the last major hurdle to clear. Over these six years, much
has come to light about this military workhorse which was not previously
known, official information dispels some of the lore found in previously
published works. Unfortunately, this lore has been repeated so many
times it has now been widely accepted as fact; the time has come to set
the records straight.
 The
"Army Indian" as it is affectionately referred to, was produced by
Indian Motocycles under contact to the US government for their
Lend-Lease program. A total of 35,044 units were produced over three
years of contractual production, most of the 1941 and 1942 models were
sent to far-flung posts of the British Commonwealth and their Allies for
the war effort or official government duties. New Zealand received in
three shipments a total of 3,616 units , just about all of which were
1941 models. The least produced groups of 741s is the 1943 model of
which only 3,120 units were assembled; these are generally found only in
the US. and share many common parts with the 1941 model. But the
1941 model, being the first version of the 741-B produced, has many
unique features.
During World War Two, many New Zealand Soldiers honed
their riding skills on the 741, some even rode them during the Italian
campaign in 1943/44, although according to official records they were
not issued with 741-Bs (most likely they had been exchanged,
unofficially, for what they had been riding). New Zealand troops had a
reputation for 'borrowing' things.
 The
741 was used by the New Zealand Army from early 1942 until being
pensioned off from 1949 onward, then finally the spares were sold by
tender in 1960 to Valentines, of Hamilton. They, like so many other
companies around the world, produced out of the then abundant spare
parts from 1960 to 1983 a total of 38 machines. The engine numbers
assigned were EV1010 to EV1047 (EV=Edward Valintine).
Although the 741 is not the flashiest, fastest nor the most comfortable
bike to ride, they've got heart and utilitarian style (severe bias here
if you hadn't noticed), but best of all they are, without doubt, an
INDIAN.
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