I bet that very few among you know that Indian produced a Parallel Twin. In 1945, at the end of WW2, Indian thought that the V-Twin Scout was becoming obsolete. The company started to invest in research and development for an OHV Torque series directly inspired by twin British motorcycles. As a matter of fact directly copying Triumph…
In 1949, Indian released a parallel 
vertical twin OHV with British type gearbox and controls, but with the primary drive on the right side instead of the left. This new model had its share of problems fixed in 1950 with the bike being renamed the Indian Warrior.
Builder Tony Prust at Analog Motorcycles will tell you that his passion is to work on “unloved orphan bikes”. And now that you know that the 1949 Parallel Twin Indian belongs to this category, you understand why – in addition to the fact that it is much much cheaper to acquire than a v-twin Indian -it was in his short list of old bikes he wanted to apply his skills on. As he says, “to light it up, clean it up, and fire it up”. His love for a challenge is an understatement…
Although officially in business less than 10 years, Analog Motorcycles got its share of accolades, one of the most important for Prust being to have been recognized at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering for best custom/modified motorcycle for his work on this Parallel Twin Indian, for sure much more desirable now than the way it was born in 1949. List of mods and custom parts is below. Analog Motorcycles.
1949 Indian Continental Scout
• Track Master style frame made by Frame Crafters
• All aluminum tank, seat and fairing designed by Analog formed by Pavletic Metal Shaping
• Brass light covers and fender formed by Mike Ardito
• Polishing by Mike’s Polishing, Rodsmith, and Analog
• Engine built by Bill Bailey of ZyZX Vintage Motorcycles
• Engine has hand cut billet cylinder, 12 volt conversion and Dyna III electronic ignition
• Carburetor Amal 928
• Exhaust custom made by Analog with parts and stubby mufflers from Cone Engineering
• Custom made oil tank with internal plumbing made by Chassis Services
• All plumbing designed and made by Analog
• Paint and clear coat by Kiel of Crown Autobody
• Gold leaf and pin striping by Brando
• Seat by Rod’s Designs
• Magura controls
• Speedometer designed and rebuilt by Seattle Speedometer
• Tarrozi rear sets
• Betor Forks and triples
• TZ750 hubs with custom detailing by Analog
• Spokes and rims made by Buchanan’s
• Speedo mount, rear sprocket and oil manifold machined by Free Form Design
• Gas cap by Crime Scene Choppers
• Piaa LED headlights
• Radiantz puck LED taillight frenched into seat hump
• All custom electrical. Battery and fuse block under seat hump
• Custom made bar switch by Analog
• Modified GSXR windscreen
• Maund Speed equip velocity stack
• Avon Road Rider tires
• All custom made cables by Ed Zender at Morries place
• Extremely strange and difficult to design custom kick starter lever (version 5) by Analog
• Top oiler lines made by HEL brake lines
Looking good.
Not the most sought after Indian, but cool.
Bodywork is interesting. New Indian should adopt it.
If Tony feels that this is an “unloved orphan bikes”…I would be glad to adopt it and love it forever.
Very nice indeed.
Me too. If this bike is orphan again, will adopt it with open arms.
Not well known donor bike. Great job.
Pretty good.
Didn’t know about this Indian model. I read it was not a commercial success. What Polaris would do to make a parallel twin successful?
Thats a nice build ? Like Cafe racers.
TZ 750 Hubs ? some of the components are rare but very well thought out.
Would be great to see a clip and hear a report of how she rides
Speaking of vertical twin Triumphs How is the new Bonneville going in the states ??
Now a beautiful motorcycle, with lots of great detail features.
Love this look.
Super cool, and neat it’s a mix of American and Japanese parts, but I think the brakes are from a TR or TZ 250 or 350. To my recollection, TZ750’s all had disk brakes.
Cool custom. The history behind it reinforces my belief that had Indian never ceased production they wouldn’t be beholden to air cooled, v-twin, or retro looking bikes today.
She’s a looker.
Indian Warrior500 & Scout350 were beautiful bikes with Indian’s plunger rear suspension but not as powerful as the Britbike competition.
Look at how finely casted the Indian’s cylinders & head were.
A piece of cycle history I did NOT know !!!
Very nice !!
Could only imagine if Indian had survived it is original form today !!!
(No complaints on today’s Indian’s)
Last time i looked Indian’s foray into Brit motors was with Enfield Parallel twins……
-nicker-