Franklin's Indians returning home!

The Indians are coming ‘home’ to Dublin next month — with modern takes of some American classics to be unveiled by a company named for the Irishman who designed two of the most iconic motorbikes ever made.
Franklin Motorcycles is the first company to be granted dealership rights in the Republic of Ireland for the world famous Indian Motorcycles. The company is named after Charles Bayly Franklin, the Dublin engineer who more than 100 years ago created the original Indian Scout and Indian Chief bikes of the roaring 1920s.

The modern incarnations of both those legendary bikes will be on display at the Carole Nash Irish Motorbike & Scooter Show at the RDS in Dublin from March 3rd-5th.
Charles Bayly Franklin’s love affair with Indians began on the race track. He was a talented racer and was part of the American manufacturer’s team that won first, second and third places in the 1911 Isle of Mann TT, claiming second place for himself. Franklin joined Indian as an engineer and designer in 1917, and created racing bikes which cleaned up on tracks around the world before moving on to developing road bikes for everyday customers. This culminated in the production of the original Indian Scout and Indian Chief – with both bikes considered among the greatest built bikes of their time.
Barry Egan, Director, of Franklin Motorcycles, said: “The last Irish Indian distributor, Billy Wells shut down in 1915 due to difficulties caused by World War 1. He arranged for his Protégé Franklin to get to the USA where he joined the design team. It is in his honour and the fact that it was an Irishman that designed the two most revolutionary and recognised motorbikes of the ’20s that we named the company Franklin Motorcycles.
“His legacy is still evident and at the show we will be displaying some of the finest craftsmanship in bike building that you will find today — and it all originates with a boy from Drumcondra. The Scout and Chief that we will have on display amongst other bikes epitomises the origins of the bike yet with the modern requirements of today riders. In almost 100 years after the Scout was first introduced, we can still enjoy them for what they were and are once again, one of America’s first true sport bikes. We will have the Scout, the Scout 60, Springfield, Chief Classic and the Road Master amongst others for visitors to view.”
One of the many highlights at the Franklin Motorcycles Indian Display at the RDS will be the Scout, a sports cruiser which embodies the historic styling of the original as well as its reputation for strength and reliability.
The new Scout is the first Indian motorcycle to use a 1,133cc, liquid-cooled, 60-degree, V-twin engine. With its electronic fuel injection, counter-balancing and a six-speed transmission, the bike can produce 100 HP and torque of 72.2 ft. lbs. (97.7 Nm) @ 5,900 rpm. For 2017, the bike comes in Silver Smoke, Thunder Black Smoke, Ivory Cream, Burgundy Metallic, Brilliant Blue over White and Red, Indian Motorcycle Red over Thunder Black.
Also new for 2017 are the recalibrated rear shocks, improved wiring harness, redesigned rear header exhaust pipe for more leg clearance, a swingarm bearing cover which has been added on both sides, and increased steering lock for tighter radius circles.
To maintain its link to the past, the rake of the shock absorbers, the low height brown leather seat and a headlight which is essentially a replica of the one used on the original models are all married with the forward-slanting fuel tank — all of which goes a long way towards maintaining the original Scout’s go-fast look and is in keeping with the styling of the 1920’s version.
Ruth Lemass, organiser of the Carole Nash Irish Motorbike & Scooter Show, said: “Indian Motorcycles were the most popular brand of the early 20th Century. The latest Indians have great appeal for someone who wants to own a classic American motorcycle which is infused with modern engineering and technology. I can’t wait to see their stand.”
Franklin Motorcycles will also display the actual Indian motorcycle that the notorious dare devil Guy Martin first used to break the world speed record on a wall of death. Having initially broken the record on the Scout he went on to achieve an incredible speed of nearly 125KPH (78.15mph) on a custom bike he built before having to stop due to nearly blacking out because of the massive G forces he was experiencing.
For stunning displays of truly amazing motorbikes and spectacular live action entertainment for all the family, visit The Carole Nash Irish Motorbike & Scooter Show at the RDS in Dublin, March 3rd–5th.