On This Date, January 28, 2000

On this date, January 28, 2000, Titan was named the Motorcycle of Choice for the Indianapolis 500. 

Titan Motorcycles and Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials announced as part of the agreement, that Titan would produce 100 limited edition "Indy 500" Y2K Gecko Rubbermount motorcycles. The bikes would be "available to motorcycle enthusiasts and Indianapolis 500 fans alike as the ultimate collector's piece".

Image source: Reddit 

The winner of the 2000 Indianapolis 500 would receive a free one. Titan Motorcycles was very proud to be affiliated with this great American tradition. And in another great American tradition the company went bankrupt a year later. 

The Indy 500 Gecko Rubbermount featured custom graphics, including the 2000 Indy 500 logo and an orange-and-checkered flag paint scheme. The bikes had a 70-inch wheelbase, 34 degree rake and polished billet aluminum wheels. The engine is an 1833cc, four-stroke, 45-degree V-twin. 

Phoenix-based Titan Motorcycles, founded by Keery and his son, Patrick, who was company president, started production of hand-built custom motorcycles with six employees in a 2,000 square-foot building. The company, which has seen sales climb from 181 motorcycles in 1996 to approximately 1,100 in 1999. 

Titan had strategic marketing partnerships with motorsports and entertainment companies such as Indy Racing League team Kelley Racing, Fender Guitars, Playboy, Shelby American, NAPA and NASCAR Winston Cup Series team owner Michael Kranefuss. 

2000 TITAN INDY 500 GECKO RUBBERMOUNT SPECIFICATIONS:

• Engine: Four stroke, 45 Degree, V-twin, 1833cc. Air-cooled with push rod-actuated overhead valves; two valves per cylinder with roller rocker arms and valve lifters. S&S Series "G" carburetor and K&N supercharger air cleaner. 
• Horsepower: 112 brake horsepower at 5,500 rpm. 
• Torque: 121 foot pounds at 4,000 rpm. 
• Mileage: 28 miles per gallon city/35 miles per gallon highway. 
• Bore/Stroke/ Compression: 4.0 inches/4.45 inches/9.8:1. 
• Drive train: 5 speed constant mesh with diamond chain to Titan racing-spec clutch.
• Wheelbase: 70 inches.
• Wheels: Polished billet aluminum. 
• Front: 2.15 x 21 inches. 
• Rear: 5.5 x 18 inches. 
• Rake: 34 degrees. 
• Front Suspension: 54 mm inverted forks with Titan billet triple trees. 
• Rear Suspension: Dual 13.5-inch shocks. Seat height: 24.75 inches. 
• Dry weight: 635 pounds.

On This Date, August, 14, 1909

On this date, August, 14, 1909, the first motorsport event at the newly built Indianapolis Motor Speedway was held, it consisted of seven motorcycle races.

The motorcycle races predated automobile races at the track, under the sanction of the Federation of American Motorcyclists (F.A.M.). Indiana born Erwin G. Baker competed in the ten-mile amateur championship.

 

This was originally planned as a two-day, 15-race program, but ended before the first day was completed due to concerns over suitability of the track surface for motorcycle use.

According to the Indianapolis Star, the event lacked a large number of entries due to racer Jake DeRosier’s recent accident on the unpaved gravel track and fear on the part of some of the drivers about being badly injured themselves.

Baker, already regarded as a daredevil racer and “rider of great skill and nerve,” took home first place in the event in a time of 11:31 1-5.

Pictured: Starting line of a motorcycle race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, August 14, 1909. Photo credit: IUPUI Indianapolis Motor Speedway Collection.