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Good Evening Everyone,
I'm very excited to join this group - I've read through quite a few threads and have sampled some of the great articles in your magazine. My name is Chris, I'm 32 years old, and have literally had a wrench in my hand since I was brand new ... As I'm sure many you will identify; my typical restoration begins as a hapless old machine whether it be a truck, car, drill press, etc. and I work towards making it functional, correct, and possibly shiny. To the point here - I've had two mid-sixties Triumph motorcycles, restored them, rode the heck out of them, and unfortunately (since life happens) sold them. For the past six years; however, I've been on a search (actually more of a quest) to find my great-grandfather's 1946 Indian Chief. As a young father, my dad sold the bike when I was only 3 as he desperately needed a little extra cash for his new family. Fast forward to 2008 when I was going through an old filing cabinet given to me by my dad and I happened upon all of the original Indian paperwork; the bill of sale, insurance information, insurance cards, payment book, manual, Rider's manual, etc. Of course I always heard stories about the Indian but never realized he kept all of this information, it was kinda cool! I found pictures of my g-grandfather on the bike with my dad when he was a kid; really neat stuff. I set off to find the machine with nothing more than the engine number and vin. Luckily the state of PA was really generous with information and gave me the name and contact information of the person who last registered the bike. I won't go on ad nauseum here, but I was able to track the bike up until approximately 2000 when the trail ran cold. I've included some information below and am hoping that this group might be able to help me in my search. Ultimately I'd love to locate the bike and chat with the current owner, my dream would be to discuss a potential purchase as I'm finally in a position to acquire such a bike. I appreciate your time reading this lengthy post, and hope you'll read a little further...
MOTORCYCLE SPECIFICS
Model: 1946 Indian Chief
Engine Number: CDF3600 B
Frame Number: 3463600
Color: Black
Last Known Owner Info: John Dufilie (Former AMCA judge) of North Stonington, CT restored this bike during the winter of 1993 and it made its rounds in the AMCA circuit winning quite a few awards. It was the featured bike (on the front cover) of Old Bike Journal in March of 1998. Some time around 2000 or so, John unfortunately passed and the bike was sold as part of an estate sale and that is where the trail ran cold.
Again, really excited to join your organization, and even more excited at the prospect of potentially finding this great motorcycle! Christopher
I'm very excited to join this group - I've read through quite a few threads and have sampled some of the great articles in your magazine. My name is Chris, I'm 32 years old, and have literally had a wrench in my hand since I was brand new ... As I'm sure many you will identify; my typical restoration begins as a hapless old machine whether it be a truck, car, drill press, etc. and I work towards making it functional, correct, and possibly shiny. To the point here - I've had two mid-sixties Triumph motorcycles, restored them, rode the heck out of them, and unfortunately (since life happens) sold them. For the past six years; however, I've been on a search (actually more of a quest) to find my great-grandfather's 1946 Indian Chief. As a young father, my dad sold the bike when I was only 3 as he desperately needed a little extra cash for his new family. Fast forward to 2008 when I was going through an old filing cabinet given to me by my dad and I happened upon all of the original Indian paperwork; the bill of sale, insurance information, insurance cards, payment book, manual, Rider's manual, etc. Of course I always heard stories about the Indian but never realized he kept all of this information, it was kinda cool! I found pictures of my g-grandfather on the bike with my dad when he was a kid; really neat stuff. I set off to find the machine with nothing more than the engine number and vin. Luckily the state of PA was really generous with information and gave me the name and contact information of the person who last registered the bike. I won't go on ad nauseum here, but I was able to track the bike up until approximately 2000 when the trail ran cold. I've included some information below and am hoping that this group might be able to help me in my search. Ultimately I'd love to locate the bike and chat with the current owner, my dream would be to discuss a potential purchase as I'm finally in a position to acquire such a bike. I appreciate your time reading this lengthy post, and hope you'll read a little further...
MOTORCYCLE SPECIFICS
Model: 1946 Indian Chief
Engine Number: CDF3600 B
Frame Number: 3463600
Color: Black
Last Known Owner Info: John Dufilie (Former AMCA judge) of North Stonington, CT restored this bike during the winter of 1993 and it made its rounds in the AMCA circuit winning quite a few awards. It was the featured bike (on the front cover) of Old Bike Journal in March of 1998. Some time around 2000 or so, John unfortunately passed and the bike was sold as part of an estate sale and that is where the trail ran cold.
Again, really excited to join your organization, and even more excited at the prospect of potentially finding this great motorcycle! Christopher
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