Doc’s Indian Scout Racer
Meet Doc Batsleer from New Smyrna Beach, FL and his 1934 Indian Bonneville Sport Scout. The day we ran across this bike in 2012, its 45 cubic inches motored Doc around the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course during AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. With various bikes, he raced in the Pre-War, Class C Hand Shift and Vintage 50s classes.
The rough finish and non-ruled lines of the striped paint scheme pays homage to the Yellow Jackets Motorcycle Club (YJMC) with a somewhat-hidden “Boozefighters” label. There’s some interesting history in the crossover activities of M.C.s back in the late 40s and early 50s. The Yellow Jackets were not recognized as an “outlaw motorcycle gang,” but the Boozefighters were, according to the American Motorcyclist Association (back then). This kept them from racing in AMA events, so members of the YJMC would sometimes accept the shunned bikers as members, making them eligible to enter races.
These non-shiny bits mean business and those Avon tires look very capable.
An AMA member since 1962, Doc has been wringing the throttle for a long time.
This functional work of moto art features a hand-shift lever adorned with a glass knob and a rear fender randomly accented with speed holes.
Keep on keepin’ on, Doc!
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Any body know how we can get in touch with this guy. We’d love to catch his races… Greaser Yellow Jackets MC
Doc lives in Florida and is most likely to be at races in the south. Check http://www.ahrma.org for road race schedule.
Great bike !!! Nice , Nice
Riding a 1937 sportscout myself
Indian rules !!!
Met Doc on his Vincent at the Cabbage Patch last weekend during 2015 Biketoberfest. He took the time to explain all the mechanical attributes of his fine machine. A heck of a nice guy! Thanks again Doc!
Also met doc at the cabbage patch maybe 2010 cannot remember for sure.that old Indian was leaning up against a pole with number plates on it ready to race. I went inside got a beer and met doc.omg.after talking awhile and a few more beers he said want to see my stuff?he just lived about a quarter mile from there so we blasted to his crib where we spent hours and he likes his beer. I could write a book about that day and I’d bet they’d make it a movie,what a trip.thanks for the greatest of memories ever.man he’s got stuff.