Peeking through the window of this building, you see a sign for Rhodes Motorcycles. It was the first official Indian dealership in Australia. Welcome to the Indian Motorcycle Museum of Australia. Here lies a treasure trove of history and passion. It celebrates the iconic American brand. Darryl White is the enthusiast behind this museum. He amassed a huge collection of Indian Motorcycles memorabilia. He wanted to share it with the public.
Darryl’s passion began in the 1970s. He was a young fella riding bikes. Italian dirt bikes were sold under the Indian name back then. They were powerful. Darryl always wanted one. His bus and truck parts business kept him busy. 23 years ago, he bought his first Indian. It was a 1922 Powerplus outfit. He sold it to buy his first Chief. He still owns it today. Thus started the disease, or virus, as some call it.
The Indian Motorcycle Museum of Australia opened in 2014. It is located in a former forklift business. The building is painted in classic style. Mural artist Eric Henn replicated traditional Indian Motorcycle posters. Darryl has about 20 bikes. 18 are on display. The display bikes rotate. There is always something new.
The motorcycles are not the only attraction. The museum also boasts memorabilia. Helmets, posters, fuel bowsers, and race medals are on display. Even an Indian outboard motor can be found here. One of Darryl’s proudest displays are the Honest Injun books. He also has a race medal belonging to George Hendee. Hendee founded the Hendee Manufacturing Company. It later became the Indian Motorcycle Company.
The oldest original paint bike is a 1908 Camelback. It features the advance/retard on the right handgrip. The throttle is on the left. This allowed police officers to keep their right hand free. The bike even has a bullet hole in the oil tank. There is also a rare 1928 Fire Patrol outfit. It is believed to be the only one left. Another exhibit is an original paint Four. It is powered by an inline four-cylinder engine. It is known as the upside down Four.
John Steelman helped Darryl build his collection. He found bikes and shipped them from the States. John also sold Darryl a rare 1913 Dayton motorcycle. It has a special place in Darryl’s heart. It was one of only 10 left.
Darryl also owns a 2006 Harley-Davidson. But he prefers his 1953 Indian Chief. It has a left-foot clutch and a four-speed tank-mounted shifter. It also has a left-hand throttle. He loves the challenge of riding something different.
Indian Motorcycles suffered after World War II. They failed to modernize. British bikes started arriving. Their last big race win was at Daytona in 1953 and 1954. But even that was with 1948 motorcycles.
The Indian Motorcycle Museum of Australia is more than just a collection. It’s a testament to passion. It is a tribute to the enduring legacy of Indian Motorcycles. It is a place where history roars to life.