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| The owner listed this as a Westerner (Competition Version). I have a comment from a knowledgeable reader that thinks it's probably a Woodsman (Street Version). |
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The Indian bike shown above was based on the Royal Enfield Bullet and was sold as the Indian Woodsman. I don't recall the name Westerner. I owned one in 1957. I bought it new from an Indian dealer in Chicago. Nice bike.
ReplyDeleteI did some research and the Westerner appears to be a competition version of the Woodsman with down swept exhaust and a larger Amal carburetor.
DeleteBought a new Indian Westerner in Denver 1957. Traded in a 450cc Indian Scout street machine. 49 or 50 model (?). The Westerner was strictly competition. Had no electrics.(mag ignition), large diameter one piece exhaust, 21in front tire, knobby tires front and rear & Aluminum fenders. I traded the 21" wheel for a 19" for the TT scrambles we ran back then., single seat, seem to remember the front forks were more stout with somewhat longer stroke (?). Certainly performance cams and valves as it was seriously strong for 1957. My friends were riding a street BSA Gold Star and Matchless 500 single. Great fun in the hills west of Denver.
ReplyDeleteThe machine in the picture appears to be the Woodsman, a street machine considering the dual seat and muffler on the pipe and 19" front wheel and side stand. Also the small Amal Carb with late filter.
Great information! I will update the post based on your input.
DeleteThanks
I agree that is a 1956 or 57 Indian woodsman, I wrote a 56 Indian woodsman strip down for several years racing, in 1958 I received a full factory ride from the matchless Royal Enfield factory out of Springfield mass and was furnished with a western or pre-built for track I was that machine for three years with the factory sponsorship while I was in the service back east. I rode it Laconia New Hampshire Walkens Glen New York upper Marboro Maryland and several other grand nationals. It was a fun time and it was a great machine. I rode mostly dirt and cross-country with them which I enjoyed the asphalt racing I did not enjoy. Now at 86 years old I really wish I had that back and could take it for a ride again just for the sound in the feel. However two artificial knees would make starting it a real hassle
DeleteThank for the information and the memories. Thank you for sharing. You are an inspiration to us younger folk.
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