For most, the 101 Scout is the best Indian ever built and for sure one of the most iconic motorcycles. Racers in particular recognized the 101’s special qualities. Unfortunately this Indian model had only a four year production run. In this video, Jay Leno introduces you to his 1931 101 Scout and rides it, both hands off the handlebars…
Introduction To The Indian 101 Scout By Jay Leno
Published by April 6th, 2016 in Builders, Editorial and Videos.11 Responses to “Introduction To The Indian 101 Scout By Jay Leno”
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Great video! I learned a few things and really enjoyed the dialog. Thanks Jay Leno for this little bit of history.
Yeah, Jay is the real deal. He is very knowledgeable and easy to talk to. I am fortunate to see him on occasion up around Mulholland. He is always riding or driving something unique.
I bet you couldn’t find a better ride for slow country touring, these old bikes are quite the experience and a 101 is as good as it gets. 35 on dirt roads nothing better. Loved the video as well, would’ve been better if he got out of the city and into the country for some real scenery and more riding footage.
One really stupid mod to that ride, especially for Jay–was the right side throttle without being able to switch the right side shift over to the primary side. You could see him struggling to downshift at the light, it’s got to make corner shifting downright impossible if not dangerous.
These transmissions aren’t HD constant mesh, you’re grinding gears unless you shift while rolling or at the right speed. Anything stopped or trying to downshift while rolling downhill or at the wrong speed, it’ll sound like a blender going off under your seat.
Good to hear the ethos of the Indian Scout being reaffirmed – viz a LIGHT-WEIGHT, medium capacity, easy to ride, reliable, cruiser…
Great bike! No eye glasses? My eyes would tear up like crazy and probably catch every piece of dirt for miles.
“The guys that write these books don’t get rich” because they don’t charge enough. Self-publisher? If so, you have to charge 11 times what your book (the printing cost, not your free labor cost for grinding-out an edition :p )
I’ve found over the years that if people want something, and need something, they’ll pay whatever the price is. We’ve sold about the same amount of books at $125. as we have the same edition at $50. (If I’m lying…..I’m dying).
I’ve experimented with advertising books as “damaged” or “acceptable condition” at a lower price to see how many people would take a chance. Those that did, all got new books. I’ve never seen a “used copy” on amazon that wasn’t a book we we offering.
My co-author Stett, gets $2. for every book sold, and we’re still friends today – which is rarely happens in real life.
So, thanks to people.
SK. I set the bike up for Jay and went through the whole bike to ensure its reliability and safety.
Jay has many bikes and all are right hand throttle. For safety he prefers to stick with right hand throttle. I believe he is about 67 hrs old and at that age there is no need to have to question his 1st instincts in an emergency. If it were a later 30’s and onwards Indian, we manufacture left side shifter conversions. In Jays case we both wanted to keep it as authentic as possible.
Unfortunately the carburetors of the time were not so good so we had to upgrade it with a different era that ran proper.
Vintage Indians handle very well and the 101 era (1929-31) handle extremely well. All you ever need is 1 hand on the handlebar. Yes the old bikes have straight cut gears but gear grinding is pretty much non existent. In most cases you get more of a clunk when putting a modern American bike into gear than Jays 101.
That particular 101 is an extremely original bike and is one of the finest surviving examples.
Jay is a very active rider and loves to go for 150 mile rides. The bike was set up for him to do that safely and reliably. I did over 450 miles of test riding on Jays bike and I’m adding one to my collection. It’s an awesome fun bike to enjoy a ride.
I had a 41 scout army frame and chassis with sport scout engine and a set of factory racing tanks. Very cool ride able little scoot. One of the bikes I regret selling.
Thank you, Cyril & Thank You, Jay, for sharing
& keeping Great Old Ironlike this alive !!!
(And you too Kiwi Mike !!!)
Having spent the morning discussion the integrity of a specific Confederate cannon that could not be destroyed, I reasoned that Harley-Davidson seemed to represent the Union and Indian the Confederacy. Simply put, their cannon metal was twice-refined for purity since it was originally cast from melting locomotive wheels. The docent seemed to think that was a plausible cause for reliability.
Cyril, I learned how to ride on a 101 Indian Scout in 1941. Maybe the one Jay owns , was the one, LOL