Sucher on Franklin 1880 - 1932: Part 3
Charles, with Wells, was vaulted into national prominence in motorcycling circles worldwide in 1911. That year Indian-mounted, Godfrey, Franklin and Moorhouse won the Isle of Man TT race, one-two-three. Indian's substantial construction, coupled with change speed gears, shrewd team management by Wells, and Hedstrom's presence as technical advisor, all combined to make victory possible.

A year later, Wells prevailed upon Charles to capitalize on the fame from the TT and act as a part-time Indian dealer in Dublin, using the basement of his suburban home he shared with his wife, Nancy Seymour.

As an aside from his professional and dealership activities, Charles became preoccupied with motorcycle design. Technical progress saw the primitive motor bicycle emerge from a clip-on entity to a more sophisticated vehicle.

Envisioning both technical excellence and to facilitate production, Charles worked out a simplified format that featured in-unit construction of the engine and gearbox. One year after his TT win, he had finalized the essence of what was later to be the world renowned
Indian Scout.

It was noted that, rather than following the precepts of de Dion and Bouton in the power plant, (the genesis of most contemporary con�tinental and American designs) Charles followed the thought of Peugeot in France, who created mechanically activated, side-by-side valves which provided enhanced flow-metrics.

In the meantime, there were changes in Springfield. In 1912, Hendee had converted the Hendee Manufacturing Company to a stock operation by going public, ostensibly to raise capital and expand Indian's leading role in the United States. Oscar Hedstrom had left the company a year later because outside interests had gained control of the manufacturer and he felt his position was being threatened. Hedstrom sold his interest for $650,000 and spent the rest of his life amusing himself with various engineering and design projects.

Hendee, who still functioned as company president, promoted Charles Gustafson, Hedstrom's former assistant, to chief engineer. Gustafson, a pioneer mechanical artificer, had previously been associated with Thor, and was a disciple of the Peugeot principles. Gustafson had worked for William Ottaway at Thor, and Ottaway went on to work for Harley-Davidson.

Gustafson and a motor bicycle carnival stunt rider, Earl Armstrong, who was also Indian's longtime production superintendent, assisted Hedstrom.




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