I just came into a "48 Indian Chief that, as far as I can tell, is all original. It was my dad's, has about 900 miles on it and is all there. My question is "Do I restore it?". I'm not thinking of whether the value will increase or whether it will sell easier, because its staying with me. Is there a reason other than personal taste to restore the bike? Restoration on this would be pretty much just paint and chrome (and maybe a little engine work, it hasn't been started for about 5 years). The paint is rough, but can still get a good surface on it. I do plan on getting it on the road and, hopefully, to Wauseon next year. All thoughts are welcome.
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to restore or not restore
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Keep it the way it is!!!...think of all the time and wax you'll save! It's only original once, keep it that way if you can.....or sell it to me! Or restore it like some of those 100% remanufactured 100 point bikes....whoops slipped off the subject there for a minute. Just my two cents worth.
Louie (keeper of old ORIGINAL, RUSTY, REAL motorcycles)
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Haven't you watched the "Antiques Roadshow" on PBS?
A 'restored' antique is molested.
If you restore a well preserved example, you will be spending megabucks only to depreciate your find to a fraction of its intrinsic (and market) worth, and probably rob it of much of the fun of riding it as well.
It's only original once. If you restore it, it's just another Chief.
If you don't believe me, park it next to a line of restored Chiefs and see which one gets all of the attention!
PS: maintenance is always proper.
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900 miles? Actual? I wholeheartedly concur with the rest of the opinion offered. To restore this motorcycle would be a serious mistake. There are plenty of restored late chiefs out there, but very few original examples. Please preserve that originality in every aspect for as long as possible. I have a 48 Chief, 23,000 miles that has sufferd from hard use as a pasture bike, and following an engine failure, total neglect. The original Seafoam Blue is there, but half the rear fender is gone from being removed and left laying in the dirt. Rugged as it is, if not for that I would do my mechanicals and give the chassis a "WD40 Resto". Anybody got a rough but solid Seafoam Blue 48 rear fender?
Jfred, we would love to see some pictures.
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Sounds like a nice piece with a lot of sentiment. Things that will be gone forever will be the little bits of sweat and maybe a little blood from a busted knuckle and all the spots your dad touched and loved or maybe hated. I work daily with things that are world class, and the less you do the better off you are. I am also guilty of taking all of the character out of treasures by restoring them. It is all in what the person that is signing my check wants. As said before, you can always restore, but it is far more difficult and far more expensive to unrestore.
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Re: to restore or not restore
Originally posted by jfred
I just came into a "48 Indian Chief that, as far as I can tell, is all original. It was my dad's, has about 900 miles on it and is all there. My question is "Do I restore it?". I'm not thinking of whether the value will increase or whether it will sell easier, because its staying with me. Is there a reason other than personal taste to restore the bike? Restoration on this would be pretty much just paint and chrome (and maybe a little engine work, it hasn't been started for about 5 years). The paint is rough, but can still get a good surface on it. I do plan on getting it on the road and, hopefully, to Wauseon next year. All thoughts are welcome.
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Original Harley-Davidson!
At the Creation
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