Category Archives: Indian Motorcycles

Indian Motorcycle Day 2017 (Springfield, MA)

 

 

Date Of Event: July 23, 2017

Location: Springfield Museum, 21 Edwards St, Springfield, MA

Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for children

Parking: There is free parking at the museum parking lot and overflow parking at the parking lot across the street

Handicapped Accessible: Yes

Highlights: classic Indian motorcycles on display

Tips:

  • the festival is usually held the second Sunday of July
  • refer to the museum’s web site for the schedule of events which includes an award ceremony for the event
  • Don’t forget to visit the Lyman Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield Museum where there are additional pieces to the Indian Motorcycle collection which is displayed there year round.

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A mainstay of the Western Massachusetts and still one of the leaders in motorcycle sales, Indian Motorcycles still remains an icon of the Western MA area.  And, many of these motorcycles and bikes were on display at the annual Indian Motorcycle Day on the grounds of the Springfield Museum Springfield, MA.

Indian Motorcycle, founded in 1901, first began as an endeavor to produce a gas powered bicycle.  However, after Oscar Hedstrom produced the gas powered bicycle, they soon began producing motorcycles in Springfield, Massachusetts, the very same city the museum is located in.

The motorcycles ranged from newer models to older, classic styles.  But most of the motorcycles were older  models.  The craftsmanship and style of these motorcycles are very impressive.

Most of the motorcycles or bikes did not have the model year or model name on them.  But, this motorcycle was one of the few that did.

1948 Indian Chief

This motorcycle was actually used during World War II in Europe, according to its owner.

Some of the artwork and logos stood out to me.

There are additional Indian Motorcycles in the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum across the street from the main building at the museum.  Most of these motorcycles and bikes are located in this museum year round and they tend to focus on the much older models.

There is also a display of Indian novelty items.

Below is a video of some of the collectibles displayed at the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum.