New member from Netherlands - 1948 Chief questions

[Igor]

Hey everyone!

My name is Igor, I'm from the Netherlands and I just picked up this 1948 Indian Chief this past weekend.
The bike originally came from New York and at some point had a sidecar attached.
It made its way to the Netherlands in 2011 and I'm the 3rd owner.

My plan is to get her completely sorted out mechanically while keeping the patina she has.
No restoration, just making her right.

I'm pretty new to old Indians so I have a few questions, hoping someone here can help me out!

Frame number: 348xxx Does this confirm she's a genuine 1948 Chief?

Engine number: CDF41xx with a "B" suffix What does the B mean exactly? And does CDF confirm the engine is from 1946?

Carburetor: marked M344 Is that the correct carb for this Chief?

If anyone spots anything unusual or anything that doesn't add up, please let me know. I want to learn as much as I can about this bike and her history.

Thanks in advance, really appreciate any help!

Cheers, Igor

[T. Cotten]

Welcome, Igor!

Pretty sure closer inspection will show the carb to be an M344,

As an M334 is absent in the listings;

(They were using potmetal Scheblers during the '34 era, but if you have one, it is priceless!)

....Cotten

[Igor]

Thanks, Cotten!
You're absolutely right, it’s an M344.
That was a total typo on my part.

- Igor

[tomfiii]

B stands for battery model. A few modifications have been done.

[Igor]

B stands for battery model. A few modifications have been done.

Thanks a lot Tomfiii!

[PaulCDF]

Welcome Igor

You have a GREAT bike there. Nice pictures.

Frame number: 348xxx Does this confirm she's a genuine 1948 Chief?

Yes
First Letter indicates Model: 3 Third letter alphabet = Chief
SECOND AND THIRD # Indicates year of manufacture: DF = 48

Yes 1948 Chief Frame

Engine number: CDF41xx does CDF confirm the engine is from 1946?

YES: FIRST NUMER INDICATED MODEL "C' Third letter alphabet = Chief
SECOND AND THIRD # Indicates year of manufacture: DF = 46

Yes 1946 Chief Engine

Carburetor: marked M344 IS the correct carb for this Chief.

Here is a shameless plug for your local Chapter:

Netherlands
Rotterdam, 2871MC
Contact
Jan van der Werff
Ambassador
00311 823 81185
jan.vander.werff@hetnet.nl
More Info
Web Site: https://www.amca-europe.com
Event Calendar

Again Welcome

[JoJo357]

Welcome Igor. Beautiful '48 Chief. You're correct on not restoring the Chief, it's a knock~out as it stands! Good Luck Igor.

*M.A.D.*

[Igor]

Welcome Igor

You have a GREAT bike there. Nice pictures.

Frame number: 348xxx Does this confirm she's a genuine 1948 Chief?

Yes
First Letter indicates Model: 3 Third letter alphabet = Chief
SECOND AND THIRD # Indicates year of manufacture: DF = 48

Yes 1948 Chief Frame

Engine number: CDF41xx does CDF confirm the engine is from 1946?

YES: FIRST NUMER INDICATED MODEL "C' Third letter alphabet = Chief
SECOND AND THIRD # Indicates year of manufacture: DF = 46

Yes 1946 Chief Engine

Carburetor: marked M344 IS the correct carb for this Chief.

Here is a shameless plug for your local Chapter:

Netherlands
Rotterdam, 2871MC
Contact
Jan van der Werff
Ambassador
00311 823 81185
jan.vander.werff@hetnet.nl
More Info
Web Site: https://www.amca-europe.com
Event Calendar

Again Welcome

Hey Paul!

Thank you so much for the warm welcome and for clearing that up, really helpful!
Great to have it confirmed: 1948 frame, 1946 engine, and the right carb. Now I know exactly what I've got.
And thanks for the tip about the local chapter — I'll definitely reach out to Jan van der Werff.

Cheers from the Netherlands, Igor

[Igor]

Welcome Igor. Beautiful '48 Chief. You're correct on not restoring the Chief, it's a knock~out as it stands! Good Luck Igor.

*M.A.D.*

Thanks!
Cheers, Igor

[1939wl]

Welcome Aboard Igor,
Beautiful Chief, you will enjoy for many years!

[Igor]

Welcome Aboard Igor,
Beautiful Chief, you will enjoy for many years!

Thank you!

[Steve Slocombe]

Dear Igor, you just have time to enter your bike for judging at our Raalte NL Meet 15 May. For $20 you can have world class experts look over your machine and list items which are not as it left the factory. I hope to see you there for another great get together.

[Igor]

Dear Igor, you just have time to enter your bike for judging at our Raalte NL Meet 15 May. For $20 you can have world class experts look over your machine and list items which are not as it left the factory. I hope to see you there for another great get together.

That sounds like an amazing opportunity, thank you so much for the heads up!
Unfortunately I just realized we'll be on vacation on May 15th, so I won't be able to make it to Raalte this time.
Really gutted about that, I hope to join a future meet though.

On a related note, does anyone know of good parts suppliers for vintage Indian Chiefs here in Europe?
I know about Jerry Greer's and Kiwi Indian in the US, but the shipping costs to the Netherlands add up quickly.
Any European dealers or suppliers you'd recommend?

Cheers,
Igor

[Steve Slocombe]

Dear Igor, try to find another AMCA member to take your bike to Raalte. Knowing what you have can save a ton of money on dealer parts.

[Green Indian]

Oldtimerpartsweb.com They have great parts 30’s-40’s and they are in Poland. Great communication, shipping and beautiful products. They don’t have the depth of selection like Greer’s but they are well worth a look.