Question to the Indian guys

[Chuck#1848]

Hey Chuck, nice 741! It may be a "low end" Indian but to a guy like me thats admired them from afar for 40 years, its an Indian! Check out Iron Horse Corral in Clovis, Ca. He makes reproduction gas tanks like mine has on it.

Thanks Scott,

I would like to try and fix it iff possiable.
I ordered a gasket set and manual for it last night.........darn Indian is leaking oil all over the garage

[Chuck#1848]

[QUOTE=aka HAWG;84378]

Thanks Tom,

First thing is to get it running and get use to the left hand throttle/right hand shift

chuck1848 don't let it fool you - I was always a harley guy, always had a hard time getting the handshift/foot clutch down, when I had a chance to ride an indian suprisingly had no problem with that setup. I think it is because of the standard shifting of automobiles - right hand shifts the car just like an indian

aka HAWG

Thanks,HAWG

I guess I never looked at it that way but it does kinda make some sence in the procedure I drove standard shift trucks for 30+ years and the one I have now is an automatic I still occasionally reach for the shifter in the truck and the wifes car

[slarsonroy]

Hey Chuck, nice 741! It may be a "low end" Indian but to a guy like me thats admired them from afar for 40 years, its an Indian! Check out Iron Horse Corral in Clovis, Ca. He makes reproduction gas tanks like mine has on it.

[aka HAWG]

[QUOTE=Chuck#1848;84341]Thanks Tom,

First thing is to get it running and get use to the left hand throttle/right hand shift

chuck1848 don't let it fool you - I was always a harley guy, always had a hard time getting the handshift/foot clutch down, when I had a chance to ride an indian suprisingly had no problem with that setup. I think it is because of the standard shifting of automobiles - right hand shifts the car just like an indian

aka HAWG

[Chuck#1848]

Congratulations Chuck. That's a going to be a fun motorcycle. Hey, don't let anyone talk you out of those gas caps, unless it's me. They look like early Eaton or Stant (mis-named Streck) caps that were used on knuckles.

LOL And the value of "Puddle jumper" Continues to rise ( that's about as close to owning a Knuckle I will be able to get to)

What would I look for to identify them by?

Well I can say that I now own the 3 longest produced motorcycles from the US

1930 VL Harley,1942 model 741 Indian and a 1948 Simplex Servi-Cycle

Eric, by chance would you know if the fuel tanks on the Indian are soldered ?

[exeric]

Congratulations Chuck. That's a going to be a fun motorcycle. Hey, don't let anyone talk you out of those gas caps, unless it's me. They look like early Eaton or Stant (mis-named Streck) caps that were used on knuckles.

[Chuck#1848]

Thanks Tom,

First thing is to get it running and get use to the left hand throttle/right hand shift
Aside from a front tire and tank repair it also needs an air cleaner and I also need to get a manual for this thing a reprint will be fine.
I hope to be able to bring the "puddle Jumper" to Oley in 2010 to buzz around on

[Tom Lovejoy]

Chuck, hope you get a kick out of the Indian. Like as been said you can get more speed out of the 741. I have ridden with two that were stroked, one a Sammy Pierce job I was told. The other was Ernie Skelton, hope my spelling is right, anyways both machines would really run strong. I was quite impressed, totally different than a stock 741. I ran with one at 60 mph and I kept thinking those bikes cant go that fast, but they did.
Just in case you decide you want to ride it abit more and you fill you need the speed. I have a 25 Scout thats no speed machine, but I enjoy the relaxed pace and the machines ride itself. My Scout's have made me a real fan, hope you enjoy your Indian!

[c.o.]

Cool little sickle ya got there Chuck!

As far as the tank mounts go........ I went out to check my tanks and see that someone has molded where it was soldered/welded....so I'm of no help to you there.

[Chuck#1848]

Well here it is needs a little work here and there ,but should be fun to play with

The left tank front mounts are broke from the tank and they must have tried to soldered the two pieces back on.

What's the best way to re attach were they originally soldered on or possiably spot welded?

Thanks to all for your input,suggestions and directions

[kunzog]

Here is a link to "Restoring an Indian Sport Scout." Keep in mind this is for the Sport Scout and not the 741 but is very informative.

http://www.indianmotorbikes.com/restos/jj/jjssresto.htm

[c.o.]

Eric, I'm sure you noticed a little pep in the WLDR's step! The standard Harley 45 is by no means a performance king. You can however do some mods to get a little more giddy-up. During my solo trip in July I ended up in some pretty heavy traffic and had the little flatty running slightly above it's "sweet spot". A group of folks on new twin cams rode with me for quite a stretch and when we stopped for a ferry ride they said that I was hovering around 60 to 65 mph (my junk re-pop speedo lasted 18 miles before it crapped out). It likes 55 the best but is a little underpowered on the hills. Having said that I think they are a great little bike but would be a nightmare on the freeways! Sorry for hijacking your thread Chuck....... and yes I believe the shift knob on your machine should be of the black variety. But if your looking at a bit of a bobber the Chief head version is a pretty cool look!

[exeric]

Scouts are pretty awesome. Power and speed were just built in. Cory, I don't know much about H-D 45's and have only ridden a WLDR which a friend was trying to sell to me. I should have bought that bike but I understand they were not typical of standard 45's. The 741's I've been on were an embarrassment to Indian but I have heard they were as reliable as a refrigerator. In my roundabout way I am trying to say that the Harley 45 would have to be a lot more fun and usable than a 741.

[c.o.]

Eric, Are they any worst than the 45's?

I'd say slightly..... If your referring to Harleys. If you mean an Indian 45 then they aren't even close. Whaddya figure Eric?

Chuck if you just want to tool around the neighborhood or take your time on a slow back road and........if you get it cheap enough.... and don't have to high of expectations.......and like it.........then scoop it up and enjoy yourself.......

[Ohio-Rider]

Eric, Are they any worst than the 45's?