PHOTO issue - Lots of Members Photos AND Gordon Rinchler's 101 20-2 Summer, 2003

Cover: Gordon Rinchler's 101

Page 2 Association Information

Page 4 Editor's Report, President's Report, Vice President's Report

Page 6 Membership Chair Report, Internet Report

Page 7 From the INDIAN SPEED-O-GRAM August 24, 1946 submitted by Jerry Callan with great photos of Art and his bikes

Page 11 Correspondence starts

Page 11 What does DONE mean? Submitted by Ken Smith

Page 11 Letter from John Ely

Page 13 Fast kids on bikes picture

Page 13 A little Oley Rain Cant Dampen our National by Bob Kelley

Page 15 Oley Photos and center spread, photographed by Milli Yarocki

Page 20 Comings and goings

Page 20 Correspondence continues

Page 20 Kevin Yate's 1930 Scout

Page 22 Kevin Borglin's 1929 Scout

Page 23 Butch Baer - Reprint from The Motorcycle News

Page 23 Update on the Yokohama 101 by Henry Long

Page 25 Information and pictures from Paul Meisel on his dad - great info, great pix

Page 29 Gas Prices commentary

Page 29 In Future Issues

Page 30 Advertisements

Page 30 Foreign Members note

Page 30 Anniversary Year Photos needed

Page 31 Shop Manual (R&O) information

Back Cover: Roger Long's 101

Editors' Report:

I have heard from so many that they love knowing what's going on with us I guess I'll continue it until you tell me it's boring. Many were glad to hear who the female voice was answering the phone for Randy as they knew it wasn't me! Randy's youngest daughter Heather (some of you may have met her at Hebron) is got married in the middle of June and we had several showers for her. Mandy (my youngest - you've met her at the meets, she has the LONG blonde hair) competed in a National competition in Orlando the last week in June / first week and won an Ultimate GOLD Metal - VERY cool. Now we start to get ready for Randy's oldest daughter Jen to get married in August and are in the midst of HER showers. BUSY year!. Jenn, my oldest, continues to answer the phone and fill your orders.

President's Report:

We had a great turn out at our 20^th annual meet, held at Oley, PA, in conjunction with the AMCA national meet. It was held on April 26, 2003. Saturday had a lot of drizzle and rain, but we had one of the best turnouts ever. From a 1928 original, a 1928 hillclimber and a 1928 with a sidecar representing the featured year. We had 101s right up through 1931, all in all, 14 bikes. I have been busy making parts for the 101s and in giving out info to get or keep your bikes running for the season. RW

Vice President's Report:

Kevin Arsenault and I spent last Sunday at the AMCA Colonial meet held at the Harmony, New Jersey fairgrounds. Some of you know Kevin Arsenault, some of you don’t. Kevin and I spent the last year and a couple of months building him an Indian 101 Scout motorcycle. Every Saturday, Kevin would arrive at my shop bright and early. After a good breakfast at one of our local places named “The Eatery” we would begin. The early plan was to build him a rider but as time went on, Kevin attended some AMCA meets, did some apprentice judging and got caught up in owning a judgeable machine. We switched gears, did some serious re-thinking, a lot of just plain hard work, spent more of Kevin’s money than he had planned on, and in April of this year at the Perkiomen meet his 1929 Indian 101 Scout checked out a Junior First. With the judging form

now in hand, we did some more hard work, spent more of his dollars and he received his Senior last Sunday in Harmony, New Jersey. Kevin will be the first to say that his experience was fun.

Why am I relating this? Because building an antique motorcycle can be fun. It is always an adventure and always a tremendous learning experience. Notice I said that it “can” be fun? Unfortunately it can also be much less than fun. Human nature being what it is, there are those willing to take advantage of a person trying to restore an antique motorcycle, especially a first timer.

O.K. then, how can a first time restorer or a person just becoming interested in antique motorcycles keep from having a bad experience? The answer is that you need help, anyone shunning help from other enthusiasts will nearly always get involved with the wrong type of person, get bad advice, wrong parts or pay far more than he or she needs to. This happens most often at the very beginning. Enthusiasm is high, knowledge is low and that pile of parts, the rolling chassis or the so-called basket case looks really good.

My advice is to lay low for as long as a year or two. Join any antique motorcycle club relating to your particular interest. The Antique Motorcycle Club of America, Inc. should be foremost on your list. After that, join the Four-Cylinder Club, The 101 Association, Inc., the Scooter Club or other club specific to your interest.

You are now learning, paying your dues so to speak. Time and a little money here will pay big dividends when you finally decide exactly which antique motorcycle you wish to own. Perhaps the best learning you will ever encounter takes place each Sunday morning at every AMCA meet. As a member of the AMCA, you may show up at the judge’s breakfast and apprentice judge in any of the several judging categories. The AMCA is always looking for persons willing to give a few hours as an apprentice judge. I have encouraged and apprenticed many antique motorcycle enthusiasts over the years, all ages, from various countries and yes, women to. With a few meets under your belt, perhaps some apprentice judging and hearing all those bad experiences from fellow enthusiasts, you will not be easily taken advantage of. Your obtaining the antique motorcycle of your dreams will be a pleasant experience because you paid your dues, not very expensive dues either, before you put down all that money. End. GY.

Membership Chair Report:

We have purchased a whole new line of shirts and I will make up a flyer for them for your next WOW and you will note that we will simplify the postage so you can include it instead of waiting to hear on it - we will use the money/weight equivalent system used by the AMCA and AARC.

Internet Report:

This is the latest graph for hits to our home page (101scout.com) - you will note that it is steadily increasing. Thanks to Marc Gallin who helps keep it updated. Jeff Alperin has promised to help with the merchandise and adding a shopping cart soon.

Week of 05/18/03 to 05/24/03

101Scout.com Overall Statistics

Category Total

Unique sites served 349

Unique documents served 132

Unique trails followed 100

Total visits 597

(Ed NOTE: this story is really about Art Hafer and his 1926 Scout, not a 101, but as we try to provide coverage of SCOUT related interests also, and this was SUCH a great article, I was sure the members would want to read it and see the pix. (All picture captions are Jerry's).

Another pleasurable surprise was to see Butch Baer's (#91) name in the finalists of the 10 Mile Run. J)

From the INDIAN SPEED-O-GRAM August 24, 1946 Submitted by Jerry Callen #240

INDIAN's RANSACK MILWAUKEE!!!

August 24, 1946 is a day that will long be remembered in Milwaukee, because the Indians took over the town and carried off just about everything of value, except a certain motorcycle factory - they left that to provide competition for the future. As the Indians raced around, they captured the three key positions and by evening had completed a thorough looting.

No, there's no misprint in the date - it's no 1846 story of the early settler' troubles - it's the 1946 story of the Indian-mounted riders copping the three big events of the day at the Milwaukee Fair motorcycles (sic) races!

Art Hafer of Kalamazoo, Michigan, was the mightiest Indian warrior in the series of battles. He turned the 15-mile Expert Final in 1:38:49 to beat out a field of top-notch racers. During the early laps, Woodsie Castonguay Indian led Jimmy Chann, H-D, and Chet Dykgraff, Norton, with Art moving up midway in the race to pass the leaders. Dykgraff tacked on to Hafer's draft, but in the 11^th lap, Art shook him loose in one of the turns, and won going away, with Jimmy Chann overtaking Chet in the final laps. Beside winning his heat, Art also turned in the fastest time-trial.

Heading a pack of wild-riding Indians in the 10 mile Amateur Final was Jack Kulan, of Detroit, Michigan, as a parade of braves came over one, two three, four to sweep the race for Indian. The time was 7:58:47.

Another redskin from the reservation back east, where the "Big Wigwam" is located, produced the third outstanding Indian victory. He was Whitey Westerberg, Spingfield, Massachusetts, who took the 10-mile Novice Final in 7:51:50

When the smoke of battle had cleared, the warriors and their stalwart Indian mounts had scored WINS in al the feature events as well as placing one second, two thirds, and two fourths.

(Jerry notes: 2 race meets in '46, Art won both)

RESULTS OF THE FINAL RACES:

15 Mile Expert 10 Mile Amateur 10 Mile Novice

1^st Hafer Ind 1^st Julan Ind 1^st Westerberg Ind

2^nd Chann H-D 2^nd Walton Ind 2^nd Searles H-D

3^rd Dykgraff Norton 3^rd Bissman Ind 3^rd Tuman Ind

4^th Castonguay Ind 4^th Baer Ind 4^th Chann H-D

June, 1940 - 10 Mile State Champ Davidson Mich on a 1926 Scout. Also set 8 mi record at Springfield on this bike

(Ed Note: Ken Smith passed along this wonderful piece to the 101 Scout discussion list. I am passing it along for any who haven't seen it.)

What does DONE mean?

Regarding a bike that is DONE: There are many definitions of done!

Done =

1. A complete overhaul by a competent mechanic knowledgeable with the 101 motor and transmission, using first class parts.

2. As above, but mechanic's first time doing an Indian motor.

3. As above, but owner does the assembly work.

4. As above, but with just the parts he feels it "Really Needs"

5. As above, but with the minimum of parts necessary to get it make a noise.

6. As above but " I haven't had the time to set the mag timing but it should run fine".

7. As above but was supposed to have been rebuilt,

(1) Last year

(2) Last owner

(3) Last decade

(4) Just before the flood

8. Don't worry. Do you think I would lie about such a thing?

9.. I don't know, it's my brother's bike and he needs bail money.

Let the buyer beware.

Submitted by internet - boy, it's bad when they start going after kid's allowances! - Ed.

We had a great turnout of nicely restored 101s at our National at Oley on April 26, 2003. Despite a steady light rain, there were 13 101 Scouts and one 1934 Standard Scout under the roof of the open shelter we use rather than lined up on the grass as usual. Not bad at all, considering that we had nine the previous year at Oley in nice weather. We should be grateful to the owners who are willing to let their treasures get wet so we can all enjoy them.

This year’s headliner was Richard Spagnolli of Pittsburgh, who beat out an extremely tough field for best restored original with his stunning 1929 example. He also took No. 2 best restored in the separate Perkiomen trophy categories. That was Richard posing on his bike on the cover of Volume 19, No. 4. Richard, if you keep going at this rate, it’s going to go to your head!

Another exactingly correct 1929 delivered the judges’ choice award to Kevin Arsenault. Buck Rinker took the 1928 anniversary award with his top AMCA winner, which was one of three 1928 101s on hand as we honored the 75^th anniversary for that year. Best survivor was Robin Markey’s unrestored 1928, which judging by the painted lettering appears to have a colorful local history in Etters, Pa., home of Robin’s family business, Bob’s Indian. People’s choice went to the historic hillclimber belonging to Jared Rinker, a grandson of Buck Rinker. His twin brother Justin also dazzled the crowd with the professional-looking custom paint job he had applied at age 16 to his 1934 Standard Scout bobber. Leon Blackman had best custom with his combination of 1929 and 1930 features with large balloon tires and aluminum heads.

For the hefty trophies that are generously donated by the Perkiomen Chapter, best restored 1 went to George’s faithfully restored 1929 with sidecar, a familiar and welcome sight at many of our shows and group rides. Gordon Rinschler’s very nice 1928 with an accurately made tandem seat was the Perkiomen trophy winner for best 1928 Scout. Justin Rinker’s Standard Scout was most unique Scout –– you don’t often see these machines with the 45-inch Scout engine in a Chief frame.

Jared Rinker had an amazing piece of Indian history in his example. The historically documented and beautifully preserved hillclimber featured a 1928 101 Scout engine, girder forks and a small tank. It was campaigned by Cosgrove Cycle of Cumberland, Md., through the early 1950s. Edward A. Cosgrove was the first to compete on this machine, and later his son, Edward R. Cosgrove, took over. The Rinkers bought this piece of history from the family’s third generation, along with related racing hardware such as vintage alcohol carburetors. At our show, Jared was wearing one of the original riders’ high boots and leather jacket, which looked hardly the worse for wear. Apparently, when it came time to retire this proud racer, the Cosgroves realized it might be of historical interest one day, so they took great care to preserve everything just as it was, including the bike. Now how often does THAT happen?

We can’t seem to lose at Oley. It was another all-around success. It’s great seeing more 101s, the proportion of carefully restored examples rising, and above all some new faces beaming with pride.

Comings and Goings

Deceased: Member #561 Bob Pugh of Vinton, Virginia. Our condolences to his friends and family.

Deceased: Just before press time, so not many details, long time member Bill Patt, from Pennsylvania. Our sympathies go out to his brother, Doc Patt, and his long time pal and lately chauffeur, Doug Strange.

NOTE: The new magazine "Motorcycles in Retrospect" will have an article by our roving reporter, Bob Kelley, featuring the 101 Scout and the 101 Association. Keep an eye out!

NOTE: The magazine "American Iron" will soon have an article on a members 101 Scout. Keep an eye out!

Dear Joanie,

Received my WOW yesterday afternoon. That's quite a cover! Especially enjoyed Kevin Borglin's story on top of page 13. You should be rightfully proud of your 101 NEWS.

Here is the rest of the story on my son Lynden and my '29

Aussie 101. We had hoped to receive our bike for Christmas but didn't get it until early January. When we went to the State of Washington license department to register it they said they would have to have sales tax. We had estimated about how much the tax would be but were shocked to find it was more. The legislature had raised the tax rate effective 1 January. The license clerk converted Aussie dollars to US. The tax bill came to a little over US $1,300. We decided to pay as we plan to ride We could have parked it but that would be no fun. One thing for sure. It made us a little more cautious about deals like this. In spite of the added tax we could have made a little extra, as some of the disappointed bidders wanted to pay us substantially more after the bidding clock ran out. We and our wives are well pleased with our purchase. Our big worry now is this beautiful bike might get stolen. It is well insured but we'd have a difficult time replacing it.

Will give you a Navy "Well done" on your newsletter. BTW, I would like to buy five more copies for my four kids and my brother-in-law, Warren for hauling the 101 home for us from the warehouse. Best wishes, Henry Long

PS - Here's a shot of the Sydney 101 in our living room.

Submitted just because it's true!!! Joanie

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