Considering an Indian...

[WmC1911]

I’ll gladly share my insight as a recent ’46 Chief owner. Learning to ride foot clutch – hand shift took a couple weeks. While not masterful yet, I get by. In my experience with Kiwi Mike is he's a great guy, loves Indian Motorcycles and is a knowledgeable resource. His book, "Indian Motorcycle Riders Instruction book" is a wealth of information and very helpful. Kiwi also has instructional videos posted on his website and on You Tube. You might also consider going on eBay and searching for Indian publications. Author Jerry Hatfield has published several books that are great to own. The nice thing about searching eBay is they are very reasonable in most cases. Half the fun is the Literature and research in my opinion.

As far as your weight and stature, I’m a big fellow also. It was immediately necessary to acquire and install heavy duty seat springs (3 total) in the seat post. Bottoming out was spin jarring. Jerry Greer carries them.

That said, I recommend an Indian Chief, it’s a great experience and a joy to ride.

Best of luck to you and your son, hope to see more of your posts.

Jim

Thank you Jim for your reply. I am excited and floored at the same time about the generosity from members of this club like yourself and others to offer input and suggestions for my son and I. I am grateful for the suggestions and I will definitely look up the literature you and others suggested.
Many thanks Jim... hope to one day soon post a some pics of our new adventure when we find the right motorcycle.

WmC

[jim wagnon]

I’ll gladly share my insight as a recent ’46 Chief owner. Learning to ride foot clutch – hand shift took a couple weeks. While not masterful yet, I get by. In my experience with Kiwi Mike is he's a great guy, loves Indian Motorcycles and is a knowledgeable resource. His book, "Indian Motorcycle Riders Instruction book" is a wealth of information and very helpful. Kiwi also has instructional videos posted on his website and on You Tube. You might also consider going on eBay and searching for Indian publications. Author Jerry Hatfield has published several books that are great to own. The nice thing about searching eBay is they are very reasonable in most cases. Half the fun is the Literature and research in my opinion.

As far as your weight and stature, I’m a big fellow also. It was immediately necessary to acquire and install heavy duty seat springs (3 total) in the seat post. Bottoming out was spin jarring. Jerry Greer carries them.

That said, I recommend an Indian Chief, it’s a great experience and a joy to ride.

Best of luck to you and your son, hope to see more of your posts.

Jim

[WmC1911]

I believe I will give my view, I would gladly own a Indian others have given good advice. Something I’m wondering do you plan to ride 2 up with your son or each ride when the opportunity presents? With many years of tank shift riding I personally don’t like passengers with a buddy ,chummy seat I feel it moves me to far forward.My wife and I are good with a mustang stile seat and relocated passenger pegs. I also will keep the idle low so if I get in a situation I can stall the motor with the front brake. I wish you the best the right machine will find you.

Thanks for the reply. We each plan on riding solo. Im a big guy, 6'3 & 265lbs. 2 up riding wouldnt sound like much room. I intend to teach my son to ride the antique motorcycle. He is very familiar with dirt bikes and has been riding those since he was about 8 years old. He would love the opportunity to ride an antique motorcycle... mayble, if the right ride is out there, I will have one... and may find him one as well.
many thanks

[Shovelhead68]

I believe I will give my view, I would gladly own a Indian others have given good advice. Something I’m wondering do you plan to ride 2 up with your son or each ride when the opportunity presents? With many years of tank shift riding I personally don’t like passengers with a buddy ,chummy seat I feel it moves me to far forward.My wife and I are good with a mustang stile seat and relocated passenger pegs. I also will keep the idle low so if I get in a situation I can stall the motor with the front brake. I wish you the best the right machine will find you.

[kitabel]

Since later Indian Linkerts are stamped with model & year characters (my 1942 Sport Scout: M642) the original may be expen$ive.
All 1933-* 1-1/4" Linkerts use the same 3-bolt flange pattern, and all are flathead bowl design (except: 1936-39 M-5, 55, etc. have the OHV bowl).
If "correct" is not a high priority, the common and relatively inexpensive H-D M-88 (WW2 mil) requires only minor tweaks (larger venturi, Indian main nozzle) to replace any 1-1/4" Scout or Chief carburetor.

[WmC1911]

In many re-stamps, the seller bought it like that, and since it's been registered and titled he won't listen to any criticism.
Humor: "It's numbers matching, the license plate number matches the registration". No, really!
Real is always best.

Haha... Understood. I appreciate all of the help Im getting from everyone. One member mentioned to attend some judging events so that I get educated on what's proper. I can see now how important it is to get involved and active in a local club. The knowledge that can be shared thru that avenue will be worth its weight in gold.

[kitabel]

In many re-stamps, the seller bought it like that, and since it's been registered and titled he won't listen to any criticism.
Humor: "It's numbers matching, the license plate number matches the registration". No, really!
Real is always best.

[WmC1911]

My first antique bike was the 48 Chief. The bike has been incredible. Its the best money I ever spent on a hobby vehicle and I have had a lot. Definitely take your time, be PATIENT, and educate yourself as much as possible. Leave the rose colored glasses in the drawer. Can't emphasize enough the suggestion above to make contact with a local chapter as well as attend AMCA swap meets and talk to people. Everyday there are guys getting too old to ride so good bikes turn up but often the best ones are the ones that never make it advertised on the internet. Good bikes sell themselves by word of mouth and don't need advertised. Hence why you need to make connections with the antique chaps.

If you want a matching number bike be very careful. I've seen countless ads that say "matching numbers" but they fail to say they match because they were re-stamped by a hack. I'd rather buy a non-matching numbers bike with original stamps than a re-stamped matching number bike. You'll pay less and increase the candidates if you don't care about matching numbers.
You won't regret buying an Indian but you really need to study up so you know that what you are buying will meet your expectations. Use caution when you see one advertised as "restored" unless its from a reputable shop. The term restored is used very loosely. I've see a number of restored bikes that were never run enough to be debugged and were nothing but months of trouble and $$$$ to get sorted out.

Nothing wrong with Harleys they are great bikes but something about an Indian is special once you get time in the saddle. In my travels riding with Harleys the general public will walk right past the HD and be slobbering over the Indian. You get used to it. LOL

Thank you very much for the reply and insight. Ive never thought about someone 're-stamping' items and pawning them off as original matching numbers. That's why I can see now why it is vital to join a club and to get to know it's members well. Im encouraged by the fact that I've had a number of long-term members of this forum & Club reach out to me with advice & optimism for me and my son's new adventure. It's great to know that you and others are willing to take the time to help educate 'newbies' like us to preserve this really cool hobby.
Many thanks for your reply & the time it took you to do so.

WmC

[Skirted]

My first antique bike was the 48 Chief. The bike has been incredible. Its the best money I ever spent on a hobby vehicle and I have had a lot. Definitely take your time, be PATIENT, and educate yourself as much as possible. Leave the rose colored glasses in the drawer. Can't emphasize enough the suggestion above to make contact with a local chapter as well as attend AMCA swap meets and talk to people. Everyday there are guys getting too old to ride so good bikes turn up but often the best ones are the ones that never make it advertised on the internet. Good bikes sell themselves by word of mouth and don't need advertised. Hence why you need to make connections with the antique chaps.

If you want a matching number bike be very careful. I've seen countless ads that say "matching numbers" but they fail to say they match because they were re-stamped by a hack. I'd rather buy a non-matching numbers bike with original stamps than a re-stamped matching number bike. You'll pay less and increase the candidates if you don't care about matching numbers.
You won't regret buying an Indian but you really need to study up so you know that what you are buying will meet your expectations. Use caution when you see one advertised as "restored" unless its from a reputable shop. The term restored is used very loosely. I've see a number of restored bikes that were never run enough to be debugged and were nothing but months of trouble and $$$$ to get sorted out.

Nothing wrong with Harleys they are great bikes but something about an Indian is special once you get time in the saddle. In my travels riding with Harleys the general public will walk right past the HD and be slobbering over the Indian. You get used to it. LOL

[WmC1911]

I can only echo what has been said above.
Joining your local chapter would be good way to network and possibly find a bike local.
As Harry pointed out the skirted/valanced fenders does make some maintainence more of a chore.

You will want to learn about and watch out for 'wet sumping' (there is a reason for a lower and upper drain plug on the left case)

Mike Tomas rebuilt my engine. I would not hesitate to purchase a bike from him; but if you can find one locally all the better.
Mike used to publish a newsletter that had some good stories. One of my favorites was reprinted from (???) I don't recall the original source.
It was called "An 1939 Indian Restoration Story". I will try and PM you a copy (too big a file to upload here).

That would be great. Thank you for your reply. I will be looking forward to that "restoration story"...
Many Thanks!!!

[WmC1911]

Is a foot clutch and 3-speed a problem? All Indians have them, H-D 1936-* big twins don't if you don't want them.

No sir. Not a problem. There will be a short learning curve Im sure, but I'm looking forward to that. I will say, that I prefer the throttle to be on the right hand side with the shifter being on the left side of tank... Hope that is doable. Though I prefer that, it wont be a deal breaker if that cant be swapped...

[PaulCDF]

I can only echo what has been said above.
Joining your local chapter would be good way to network and possibly find a bike local.
As Harry pointed out the skirted/valanced fenders does make some maintainence more of a chore.

You will want to learn about and watch out for 'wet sumping' (there is a reason for a lower and upper drain plug on the left case)

Mike Tomas rebuilt my engine. I would not hesitate to purchase a bike from him; but if you can find one locally all the better.
Mike used to publish a newsletter that had some good stories. One of my favorites was reprinted from (???) I don't recall the original source.
It was called "An 1939 Indian Restoration Story". I will try and PM you a copy (too big a file to upload here).

[kitabel]

Is a foot clutch and 3-speed a problem? All Indians have them, H-D 1936-* big twins don't if you don't want them.

[WmC1911]

Many thanks to all of you for your reply. We have not joined a local chapter. I believe the closest to our area would be Owensboro Kentucky or the Music city chapter in Nashville TN. Both are about equal distance from where we are.

[pisten-bully]

If you're not already a member of a local chapter! Everybody knows somebody that knows somebody . . .

I think that's great advice, if that's possible in your area. And regardless of whether it's a vintage Indian, HD, Triumph, BMW, etc. I personally think you'd be wise to avoid sources like Ebay...especially if you want to ride it (lots of cosmetic fixes and fewer mechanical ones). I'd think a machine owned and ridden by an AMCA member would be a good place to start looking for a vintage rider!

And, as Eric mentioned, if it's Indian, then the bikes from the thirties are not all that different from the '45 to '47 window you're looking at (Indian technology...let's face it, was pretty stagnant )...plus the skirted fenders are a bit more difficult to work on (e.g. changing tires or oiling your chain )