1919 Indian “N-19 PowerPlus”

For model year 1919 only minor changes are made in The PowerPlus specifications: the gearbox gets larger bearings and an oil groove in the enlarged mainshaft improves lubrication. The valve chambers are larger and the engine main and big end bearings are made to closer tolerances for better wear resistance. The conspicuous black band striping edged with thin gold lines that was introduced for the 1917 model year is continued for 1919. However, this will be the last year, 1920 models will become less outspoken in this respect with two parallel thin gold lines as finishing touch.

This admirable combination was delivered new to The Netherlands in 1919 and has long been part of the Héman-collection in Amsterdam. When this collection was dispersed in the 1980s the combination found a new owner, who was a skilled mechanic and restored the machine mechanically and cosmetically. In the restoration process the striping was carried out 1920-style.

This gentleman owned the combination for around forty years and the PowerPlus was used extensively for vintage club runs and rallies, such as the well-known two-day Liège-Nancy-Liège that covers the 350 km between the Belgian and French cities. The riders are mounted on pre-1945 machines and have to keep a strict average of 36 km/h, about ten hours in the saddle per day. The PowerPlus combo has been adapted to long distance touring by fitting electric lighting (nicely hidden in acetylene front lamp with “W.D.” War Department script on top) and a wired-on rear rim with modern tyre. This gives better grip, better braking performance and longer life. As his age progressed, the enthousiastic owner fitted a dynastart to be able to continue riding. This device combines the functions of an electric starter and a dynamo. The dynastart is positioned in the place of the dynamo and doesn’t spoil the vintage look of the machine. On top of the tank we find an original aluminium light switch with Indian amp gauge. Accessories include front-wheel driven 130 km /h Corbin speedometer, bulb horn, leather bags, oil can carrier and sidecar cover. This eye-catching older restoration combination is a road-registered rider’s machine; she starts very easily with a push on a discrete button.