Other engineering and design projects inaugurated by Franklin, other than development work on the Prince, included the fitting of Ricardo-type detachable cylinder heads to the Prince, as well as the Chief and Scout.
The one-piece cylinders with the head integral with the barrel had been used on all side valve Indian engines since the introduction of the first Powerplus model. While this arrangement had been refined in subsequent editions, it still had the disadvantage of being subject to some distortion and consequent risk of valve warpage, if overheated during prolonged hard running. The new arrangement, together with slightly larger cooling fins and altered combustion chamber shape, was reported as producing 20% more power, as well as making top overhauls and valve grinding much simpler.
Mixed feelings about Indian's "English" Prince
The sales year of 1925 was opened with a strong advertising campaign in the trade press, with much emphasis on the Prince. The Indian dealers viewed the new lightweight with the usual mixed emotions, as the majority still favored heavyweight machines, even though most of them were pleased with the public reaction to the lighter Scout. Some of the dealers who had leanings toward favoring utility sales did very well with it, and large numbers of sales were made to ride-to-work utility riders, Western Union messenger boys, novice riders, and not a few intrepid feminine newcomers to motorcycling.
Billy Wells showed great interest in the Prince's sales possibilities in Great Britain, where motorcycle sales were increasing and where there was valuable prestige with the Indian name. While some dealers and riders were disappointed that it was not designed as the now popular overhead valve type, its acceptable top speed and acceleration, as well as its rugged design and ease of maintenance, made it a strong competitor within the current large number of British makes. Wells was reported to have sold several hundred machines in the British Isles within the first few months of the year. Substantial numbers of European orders were filled through Stokvis and Sonen, in Rotterdam.
American V-twins also continued to be popular sellers in Great Britain, really volume sales being limited only by their necessarily high prices. In fact, it has been the expressed opinion of several motorcycle historians that the late George Brough's introduction of his famous luxury machines was originally inspired by the wide acceptance in England of the Yankee invaders. Even his early models were designed along American lines, and his forks were a frank copy of the Harley-Davidson type.
The new improved Chief, in both 61 and 74 cubic inch models (the latter now known as the Big Chief) was well received by heavyweight enthusiasts, and was becoming increasingly popular with law enforcement bodies.
[Page 5]