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  • Hello....New Member to this Forum....Glad to be here!

    Hello everyone, my name is Brent Dawson (username bdawson) and I am located in the western suburbs of Chicago in Aurora Illinois. I have been a member of AMCA for a few years now, but am just getting around to getting access to post on the Forum. I am 58 years old and have grown up around Indians and the restoration of them thru my father, Harry Dawson. Maybe some of you knew him? He was a big part of the Indian Four club in the late 70s and early 80s as he was President for many of those years. My parents Lived in Iowa. I remember riding my bike around the Tiffin Ohio fairgrounds for many years talking to legends before I even knew who they were. Bob Stark, Earl Chalfaunt (sp?), Howard Wagner, etc, etc. Unfortunately all of the knowledge on Indians that my dad possessed, didn't get passed down to me very well. Just wasn't interested in Indians in my 20s-40's I guess. My parents were a big part of the Blackhawk Motorcycle chapter and were secretary and treasurer for quite a few years in the 80's, and I haven't missed a Blackhawk meet at the Davenport Fairgrounds for many years. I realize that the Blackhawk Chapter isn't a part of the AMCA, just wanted to give you a little background on my history with motorcycles. I currently own a '36 Chief that is 100% restored that I bought awhile back that doesn't get ridden enough. I wanted a project, so I purchased a '32 Chief that was in need of some work. I have been in the process of finding parts for the past 9 months or so as I want to make this bike as correct as possible with '32 Chief parts, but as some of you know, a lot of those parts are really hard to come by. Thanks to Robin Markey I have been able to source many of the hard to find pieces.

    I am certainly not a mechanic, ....but what I am interested in is learning whatever I can to help build this bike and make it complete, and to get it running. I'm super eager to learn as much as I can from you all, as my knowledge is limited.....but now that I am logged into the Forum I certainly look forward to learning as much as I can from you all. I apologize up front for my many questions that no doubt will be soon to come. I really look forward to conversing with you all and I appreciate your input all along the way. Take Care, Brent

  • #2
    Welcome to the AMCA forum, Brent. You certainly have a lot of history with the club and I'm sure you'll find this forum a comfortable place to visit. I had a 1932 Indian Four and I can attest to how difficult '32-'34 Indians can be to source parts for. I'm sure I would get into an argument for this comment, but I believe the '32 Chief was better looking that the '32 Four, but probably not from you, Brent
    Eric Smith
    AMCA #886

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    • #3
      Welcome Brent, and....if you get chance put up a picture or three of your two Indians!
      Pisten Bully is Harry Roberts in Vermont.

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      • #4
        Welcome Brent!

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        • #5
          Greeting's Brent.

          *M.A.D.*

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          • #6
            Hello everyone. Harry from Vermont asked me to share a few pics so here you go. 36 Chief and 32 Chief in need of some attention.

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            • #7
              Welcome, Brent. i well remember your Dad, we roomed and breakfasted together in Tiffin at the Indian 4 meets in the '70's. Harry was a real gentleman; he's one of the fellows that i carry fondly in my memory. i often wondered what happened to his gorgeous black Sport Scout...
              Steve Swan

              27JD 11090 Restored
              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClUPIOo7-o8
              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtuptEAlU30

              27JD 13514 aka "Frank"
              https://forum.antiquemotorcycle.org/...n-Project-SWAN
              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNRB...nnel=steveswan

              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSDeuTqD9Ks
              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwlIsZKmsTY

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              • #8
                Thanks very much for the kind words about my father Steve, very nice. Here is a picture of the Sport Scout that you were referring to.
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                • #9
                  Hello Brent, and welcome! You have a great set of bikes there! The 32 is indeed a tough one to get right! In addition to Robin Markey, Kent Thompson in NH is a great resource for parts and information for the early Chief, Scout or 4. Keep us posted on your 32 project, it looks pretty complete at this point......

                  I had the pleasure of knowing your dad for many years. I first met him in 1984 when he came to Colorado for the first DJ road run in 1984. I always enjoyed his company at our road runs, and the Davenport and Fremont swap meets. He was a great story teller and was always very interesting to talk with!

                  I know this thread is about you, but I'll share on of the many funny stories I have about your dad. In 2012 I hosted what I called the Old Timer's Ride, a 3 day ride in the Colorado mountains on old bikes. It was a great ride and we all had lots of chances to rib each other for anything that we could find to poke fun at. Among the 12 attendees, was your dad and Howard Wagner. They were very close friends for decades. On the last night in Grand Lake, we were celebrating Howard's 85th birthday, on that very day. We had a nice dinner and a special birthday cake for Howard. Everyone was fawning over Howard an hoping they could be so lucky as to still be able to ride at 85. That went on for a bit. Harry was silent at the other end of the table. Suddenly he stood up, slapped the table and yelled, "Damn it Howard, you're a pussy! I'm 90 and still riding"! That brought the house down, not just with our group but the whole restaurant!

                  I tried to load a couple pictures of that ride with your dad but for some reason, nothing will load.....

                  Gene Harper

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by bdawson View Post
                    Thanks very much for the kind words about my father Steve, very nice. Here is a picture of the Sport Scout that you were referring to.
                    yup, that's the Harry i remember! Thank you for sharing that picture! i remember voting him in as Indian 4 president. (I was Indian 4 Cylinder News editor from 1977 to 1991).
                    Steve Swan

                    27JD 11090 Restored
                    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClUPIOo7-o8
                    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtuptEAlU30

                    27JD 13514 aka "Frank"
                    https://forum.antiquemotorcycle.org/...n-Project-SWAN
                    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNRB...nnel=steveswan

                    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSDeuTqD9Ks
                    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwlIsZKmsTY

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                    • #11
                      Awesome story Gene! Yes, I remember my dad talking about that road run in Colorado for months before and years after. That was one of the highlights of his life...truly. And Steve....I still have a bunch of those "Indian 4 cylinder News" booklets from the 70s and early 80s in my filing cabinet from my dad.....along with a bunch of literature that he saved from years in the industry.

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                      • #12
                        Thanks for sharing Brent. If you would like to find a good home for the Indian Four booklets and literature, let’s talk. I have (and ride) both an Indian ‘29 Four and and a ‘41 four. I try and preserve materials and literature for all the bikes in our collection. Best, Chris

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                        • #13
                          I knew Harry from black Hawk Club,lost the pic with Clinton club1940s

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                          • #14
                            I still have the picture of the Clinton Iowa Motorcycle Club, here it is for those who might enjoy an oldie.
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