What year is this knucklehead?

[Steve Swan]

I have no idea where I snagged the pic, Steve!

Two of Mr. Gable show a similar machine with Super Deluxe badges on the front fender.

Gable again.jpg

Here the bags are different.. Or is it just a box crammed inside?
Gable shaved.jpg


....Cotten

looks maybe, possibly he is wearing a military jacket, but then the patch on his left chest, maybe not... although Gable did fly over Europe as a serviceman.

[Tom Wilcock]

I believe Joe bought the bike in Florida from a Harley dealer. The dealer was a friend of Clark Gable and ended up with his bike. In the mid 90's Joe was in a serious accident with the Harley. The insurance company had written the bike off until they were given the history of it with the paperwork to prove it. The bike was repaired (a replacement frame I believe). Joe sold it soon after to someone in the US. A friend in Canada had bought Joe's custom1932 Indian 4 years before that. Joe's remaining bike (a 1942 Indian 4) was sold to someone in the US around 2012. It has been at the Indian 4 meet in Tiffin Ohio since then. I have a picture of Joe with the bike at a meet sometime in the late 70's or 80's. When I find it I will post it.
Tom

[ammorest]

Steve, thanks for the history on Bob Paulette. In 1990 I was restoring a 1941 Indian 4 and I needed some parts. Someone gave me Bob's number so I gave him a call. He said he could help me so come on by. My son lived in Lexington so on my next trip to see him I visited Bob. If I remember correctly he lived kind of back in the woods. His shop was in a barn. He made me some brake rods and some fork rocker studs. What a nice old gentleman he was. I really enjoyed spending time with him. Thanks again.
Dave

[chuckthebeatertruck]

Two brief asides about Gable.

he was the real deal all around. When WW2 broke out, he volunteered and brought numerous Hollywood friends into the mix. He chastised John Wayne for not joining. Wayne responded, “Hell, Clark I am 40, not in good shape and have kids at home.” Gable reportedly responded with one word: “so?”

Second story, Gable produced one of the best films on b17 crews, including flying as a stand in waist gunner on at least three missions (unofficially he did 6-8), this was at a time when aircrews were seeing 10-20 percent attrition per mission. Gable was beloved by the rank and file because he chose roles normally done by non-coms despite being a Captain. He mustered out as a Major and was signed out by Captain (and future President) Ronald Regan.

Gotta admire a guy who was pushing 40, didn’t have to go, yet still chose to fly and put his life on the line.

I have a full circa 1943 waist gunner get up, and I can assure you it is not easy to don and very bulky. I can’t imagine 6-10 hours in freezing conditions whilst gunning and wondering if you’ll make it back.

[Steve Swan]

Steve, thanks for the history on Bob Paulette. In 1990 I was restoring a 1941 Indian 4 and I needed some parts. Someone gave me Bob's number so I gave him a call. He said he could help me so come on by. My son lived in Lexington so on my next trip to see him I visited Bob. If I remember correctly he lived kind of back in the woods. His shop was in a barn. He made me some brake rods and some fork rocker studs. What a nice old gentleman he was. I really enjoyed spending time with him. Thanks again.
Dave

Hi Dave,

Thanks for sharing your experience of meeting Bob. I spent many hours on numerous occasions at Bob's shop west of Midway and at his home in Lexington. Bob's shop was in one of the 4 Old Pepper storage buildings for aging their whiskey. His shop was on Fisher's Mill Road, going north off of Hwy. 421, a couple miles west of Midway. Attached is a picture of him taken around 1967, when his shop was in Midway. He is working on his 1942 model that was painted in a coarse metallic bright blue. The second picture of his was taken in 1977 at the Indian 4 meet astride my 1934 Indian 4 over his letterhead.

20221220_082504.jpg
20221220_082557.jpg

[Steve Swan]

found these articles... https://riderfiles.wordpress.com/200...-of-hollywood/
https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/g...angeles-store/

[JoJo357]

Thank You all for your contributions, it was fun looking into this treasured American Icon.

*M.A.D.*