1927 big chief rear cylinder

[xofrevlis]

I have acquired a 1927 big chief partial engine transmission and primary within the last year. One of the big pieces I am missing is the rear cylinder. I have checked the parts books on this web site and if I'm correct a cylinder from 1927 to 1931 would be correct. If anyone would like to verify or correct my research, please jump in this thread. Anyhow I'm looking for this part and would like any help that might come along. So far all I have received is mild chuckling. If anyone knows of a vendor attending the upcoming Wauseon meet that might be of help, please give me a heads up.

Thanks Wayne

[exeric]

Big Chiefs are hard to source parts for. I believe they were popular in their day but also driven into the ground and few survived the depression, and scrap drives. The late BC cylinders are a beautiful design and make for a great looking motor. I would check with Ziggy in Tennessee as he has a lot of rare, and unusual Indian stuff and also goes to Wauseon.

[xofrevlis]

Exeric;
Thanks a bunch for the suggestion. The only Ziggy I could find was in Washington state so I did email him. If there is another in Tennessee I could not find him. If you think of any more let me know.

Thanks Wayne Anthony

[otis71]

I believe he moved to the northwest so that’s probably him.

[Jerry Wieland]

I believe that Ziggy moved from Port Orange Washington to someplace in Tennessee a couple of years aggo.

Jerry

[exeric]

Ziggy has a store on ebay. His handle is 'theck' and you would have to contact him through that source. He is an incredibly knowledgeable person for anything Springfield INDIAN.

[exeric]

I had a 1924 Indian Big Chief that I dearly loved, and in a state of temporary insanity I sold it to Mort Wood. Big Chiefs are wonderful motorcycles and well worth the tough grind to get one together. I loved the way it felt, and handled as the Big Chiefs were long and stable and I think Harley-Davidson's V series were much the same. Here's one of the few pictures I took of my '24.

bigchief2.jpg bigchief1.jpg

[gharper]

Wayne,

You are correct in that 27-31 Chief cylinders are the same, basically. However, the 30 and 31 heads are slightly different, the fins being relieved to fit the lower tank tube used with aluminum tanks, but they will all fit. Later cylinders fit as well, with some fiddling.

Kent Thompson was always y go to guy for early chief parts, but unfortunately he has passed. Steve Rinker bought his inventory, try contacting him: 304-671-0878.

There is a facebook group for the Big Chiefs: h ttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1504058963726204 There is a fair amount of activity on this group and it's all aimed at early Big Chiefs.

These cylinders are hard to find, and usually they are well worn, to say the least. The good thing is, apparently you have a front cylinder, which is the harder one to find. I searched for years to find a good set for my 31 Chief. Unfortunately, I don't have any spares.