Indian Powerplus 61 ci sidevalve Board track racer in action – 1923 - motorcycle

Description

WE
ARE
CLEARING OUT OUR ARCHIVES!
A superb and rare photo of a true classic board track scene, showing a
Indian 61 c.i. Powerplus based racing machine
with the Italian racing ace and Italian
board track specialist Miro Maffeis
in action!
This wonderful image was taken on one of
Italy
’s “ velodrome “ board tracks.
It is a RARE to find photos of the European board track scene of the 1910s and 1920s, as board tracks were not as common in
Europe
as they were in the
U.S.A.
–let alone find a board track scene of an Indian on an European board track.
The Italian Miro Maffeis was one of the very few true board track specialists that
Europe
knew at the time.
He gathered many victories both on the board track as in regular road racing.
He was employed by the Italian Indian importer, and one of the very first European professional racers to race with Indian.
He was one of the very most successful Indian riders in
Europe
ever.
He won numerous races on Indian, like the long distance race Milan-Napels, the famous Targa Florio, the Grand Prix of Italy, the circuito del Lario, and so on.
Maffeis rode these races either with the 45 c.i. or the 61 c.i. Indian V-twins.
He also was a true board track specialist, a rare discipline to master for an European rider, as there were not many board tracks around.
Later on in his career he even scored some “ Six Days “
enduro/trail victories!
Board track racing
was as popular as it was dangerous in the 1910s and 1920s.
Basically racing was done on a wooden, banked oval that was made up of two by fours.
The rough wooden surface was often heavily splintered due to the unleash of raw motorcycle power on the soft, easy to deteriorate, wood.
Not only that, but the bikes normally had a total-loss oiling system.
After its lubrication duty, the oil simply seeped out of the engine on the wooden track, making it besides splintery also very slippery.
Combine this with the fact that the riders did not have the protective clothing as they have now and mix in the speeds that easily exceeded
100 mph
and you will understand that board track races were greeted with great excitement, fear, and anxiousness by both the public as the riders.
Clearly the board tracks were not the most ideal venues for racing, but in an era where spectator orientated bicycle racing domes initially were also considered ideal for motorized bicycle racing, it was hard to change locations.
Board track racing was a true American specialty, though as this photo shows also in
Europe
board track racing was a phenomenon!
The men that raced on these early tracks were specialists that rode on the limit of what the motorcycle could possibly offer, despite all the dangers.
No wonder that these men grew out to symbols of pure motorcycling heroism!
This wonderful photo reflects that golden era of board track racing as no other.
How exciting where those times!
This is a very nice and very rare photo that reflects a wonderful era of Indian ‘s motorcycle history in a wonderful way. This is your rare chance to own this photo, therefore it is printed in a nice large format of ca. 8" x 11.8" (ca. 20 x
30 cm
). It makes it perfectly suitable for framing!
Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you buy.   For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!
(Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear on photo, for ebay purposes only)
No copyright expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well protected in PVC clear files
and board backed envelopes.
We have photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and excellent quality.
After many decades of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace, restaurant, bar or club!
First come - first served. And you can always contact us for your requests. Please ask any questions before the auction ends.