New member from Netherlands - 1948 Chief questions

[Igor]

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.

Thanks for the heads-up!I 'm gonna go check out the website.
Cheers, Igor

[PaulCDF]

Igor; on your side of the pond:
www.indian-france.com

[Igor]

Igor; on your side of the pond:
www.indian-france.com

Thanks again Paul!

[tfburke3]

.nice bike.I would concentrate on what it needs to be reliable rider.Maybe new tires,battery,engine stuff.
Good advise to bring to show but with a mismsatch motor,something you will never be able to correct unless you find 48 cases , I would not bother with judging.You will have plenty of experts tell you what's not correct for free.
Such as,I like the chrome forks but I would look for some good unchromed springs.
Have fun
Tom

[Igor]

.nice bike.I would concentrate on what it needs to be reliable rider.Maybe new tires,battery,engine stuff.
Good advise to bring to show but with a mismsatch motor,something you will never be able to correct unless you find 48 cases , I would not bother with judging.You will have plenty of experts tell you what's not correct for free.
Such as,I like the chrome forks but I would look for some good unchromed springs.
Have fun
Tom

Hey Tom,

Quick question: was a chromed fork ever a factory option on a 1948 Chief, or is that definitely a later modification?

Thanks for the advice, I couldn't agree more. My plan is to go through the whole bike mechanically first: bearings, brakes, bushings, the works and make sure she's safe and reliable before anything else. After that I'll tackle the engine. That's where the real money is, and I'll have to decide whether to track down a set of 1948 cases or just keep the 1946 engine as part of the bike's history.

Appreciate the honest input!

Igor

[tfburke3]

Hi Igor,
I dont beleive the factory offered chrome forks girder.
I have a 47chief that was unrestored that has a chrome girder,not springs and links.I like it I think it was most likely done by a dealer.I would change the springs at the least.
If you source 48 cases with a good vin, you will also want an aluminum oil pump with front cam shaft and matching cam cover.
Tom

Looking at pics the shims or really thick gaskets on cylinder base are unusual.MAybe to lower compression?

[PaulCDF]

Igor
I looked in Jerry Hatfields NEW Indian Motorcycle Restoration Guiode 1932-1953
He tried to document the changes done year to year no mention of chromed girder.
As Mr. Burke said likely done after it left the factory.

Bob Stark had (at least) one;



Bob Stark Indian with chrome girder.jpg

[Igor]

Igor
I looked in Jerry Hatfields NEW Indian Motorcycle Restoration Guiode 1932-1953
He tried to document the changes done year to year no mention of chromed girder.
As Mr. Burke said likely done after it left the factory.

Bob Stark had (at least) one;



Bob Stark Indian with chrome girder.jpg

Hey Tom,

Really appreciate you taking the time to look that up in Hatfield's book, that kind of help means a lot to a newcomer like me.

On another note, I've been tracking down the bike's history and managed to trace the previous owner, sadly he passed away a few years ago.
But I've been in contact with his son since yesterday, so hopefully he can shed some light on the bike's history and maybe share some old photos. Fingers crossed!

As for the engine: it's pretty clear someone has been in there over the years, and not always with the greatest care. Broken cooling fins, poor seals, that kind of thing.
On top of that it's been converted to 12V and fitted with an electric starter at some point.

I'm seriously considering bringing her back to original spec, but I still have a lot to learn before I make any decisions.
I'm very much a rookie when it comes to old Indians, but I'm enjoying every minute of the journey

Thanks again,
Igor

[ammorest]

Igor, we were all rookies once. With all the good people with help and advice and all the available information you won't be a rookie for long. You have a great bike. Appears to be mostly correct 1948 except the engine and the 12 volt and electric start. You need to decide how correct you want to make it. Look for another engine? Get rid of the electric start? Paint the fork? Depends on how much time, work and money you want to put in it. Or just make the bike mechanically sound, safe and dependable and ride it. However how you decide to go good luck and enjoy your Indian!
Dave

[Igor]

Igor, we were all rookies once. With all the good people with help and advice and all the available information you won't be a rookie for long. You have a great bike. Appears to be mostly correct 1948 except the engine and the 12 volt and electric start. You need to decide how correct you want to make it. Look for another engine? Get rid of the electric start? Paint the fork? Depends on how much time, work and money you want to put in it. Or just make the bike mechanically sound, safe and dependable and ride it. However how you decide to go good luck and enjoy your Indian!
Dave

Hey Dave,
That’s exactly the kind of perspective I needed, thank you. For now I’m going to focus on making her mechanically sound and safe first.

Cheers,
Igor