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Hey,
I have a project going right now and am trying to confirm a story about my fathers bike. I can't seem to find a lot of information on Mel ( Melvin ) Rhoads. He was an Indian racer in the 30's and 40's out of Harrisburg Pa. He won the Class C national championship in 1940 at Springfield Illinois, and was competitive in many races. I googled this from the 1940 Oakland Calif. race
image (3).jpg
that shows he came in 11th place after leading early. But my interest in him is after his racing career. I have been told that after the war he became the Indian dealer in Paterson NJ. I can't find anything to confirm that. Can anyone here confirm that he was a dealer after the war?
I've taken on a little project, this is my fathers 1941 Sport Scout
1941 sscout 02.jpg1941 sscout 03.jpgIMG_8602.jpg
Something unique about the bike is that it has a Big Base bottom end, and I was told by my good friend Jules that Mel Rhoads built this bike when he was the dealer in Paterson. Jules has passed away, and my father unfortunately is in early stages of dementia, so his memory is shot, or at least sketchy. But it kinda makes sense that an ex racer would have the contacts to get the Big Base stuff, or want to use it. Of course the dealer sticker is worn off, no info there. It was sold to a guy named Al Henion, and my father bought it in the late 60's along with another Sport Scout and a bunch of parts (for a whopping $640, big money back then).
Anyway, this bike was last run and ridden in 1971 (see the registration and inspection stickers). My father had got a Knucklehead by then, so this bike was put away, moved a few times, and spent the last 30 years or more in a shed until I dragged it out. I snuck it out to my house, the plan is to get it back together properly and running and surprise my father on Fathers Day with his bike that hasn't run in 50 years. I think he'd appreciate that as a gift better then the usual flannel shirt.
So if anyone can confirm that piece of this bikes history I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks
I have a project going right now and am trying to confirm a story about my fathers bike. I can't seem to find a lot of information on Mel ( Melvin ) Rhoads. He was an Indian racer in the 30's and 40's out of Harrisburg Pa. He won the Class C national championship in 1940 at Springfield Illinois, and was competitive in many races. I googled this from the 1940 Oakland Calif. race
image (3).jpg
that shows he came in 11th place after leading early. But my interest in him is after his racing career. I have been told that after the war he became the Indian dealer in Paterson NJ. I can't find anything to confirm that. Can anyone here confirm that he was a dealer after the war?
I've taken on a little project, this is my fathers 1941 Sport Scout
1941 sscout 02.jpg1941 sscout 03.jpgIMG_8602.jpg
Something unique about the bike is that it has a Big Base bottom end, and I was told by my good friend Jules that Mel Rhoads built this bike when he was the dealer in Paterson. Jules has passed away, and my father unfortunately is in early stages of dementia, so his memory is shot, or at least sketchy. But it kinda makes sense that an ex racer would have the contacts to get the Big Base stuff, or want to use it. Of course the dealer sticker is worn off, no info there. It was sold to a guy named Al Henion, and my father bought it in the late 60's along with another Sport Scout and a bunch of parts (for a whopping $640, big money back then).
Anyway, this bike was last run and ridden in 1971 (see the registration and inspection stickers). My father had got a Knucklehead by then, so this bike was put away, moved a few times, and spent the last 30 years or more in a shed until I dragged it out. I snuck it out to my house, the plan is to get it back together properly and running and surprise my father on Fathers Day with his bike that hasn't run in 50 years. I think he'd appreciate that as a gift better then the usual flannel shirt.
So if anyone can confirm that piece of this bikes history I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks
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