I've never had an Indian, but my grade 7 & 8 teacher had one in 1943/44. I thought that it was the most beautiful thing ever. I don't know what year his was, but it gave me an itch that can only be scratched by owning your own bike. I did ride a borrowed HD for a short time that had the foot clutch and hand shift. I d### near killed myself with that bike. Never did learn to shift without inducing a small swerve. (Sometimes not so small!)