1941 Chief “Sonny”

[painterdale]

Ha! I would have loved to see that! Have you ridden it yet?

Yes - I’m in for 2020.

Kevin

No, haven't ridden it yet. I wanted to dial in the brakes (brake) first. Then I got side tracked. It is still in the project rotation!

Dale

[Shaky Jake]

Howdy Kevin,

Long time members will remember Rocky was/is famously not on this (once, briefly) or any other forum, even when he was president ...computers are for others, especially when you’re retired and chill’n out in Florida. PM me if you need his cell.

Ok, I’ll keep that in mind. I don’t really want to pester anyone about it, but you’ve given me a sense that they are quality bags and worth saving, which is what I thought was the case. Someone with a lot of talent obviously put a lot of time into building them, and they’ve held up very well. I have the matching mud flaps too, which is cool. My barber restores horse saddles on the side, I’ll probably talk to him about what to treat the leather with.

Thanks!

Kevin

[Shaky Jake]

No, haven't ridden it yet. I wanted to dial in the brakes (brake) first. Then I got side tracked. It is still in the project rotation!

Dale

Ya, don’t expect too much from that brake Dale... ;-)

But whenever you do take it for a ride, make sure someone is taking video this time! Can’t wait to see it.


Kevin

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[Shaky Jake]

Here’s a picture of my favorite Wauseon find this year:






I’m not going to restore that horn face, I’ll just oil it up to preserve it. It will replace this Harley-Davision horn face that was on the ‘41:





Kevin

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[Jim]

Thanks Jim. I’m pretty excited about it.

Kevin

Here is a picture of my Dad on his 1941 Chief around early 1955? (Note his DeSoto behind him). He got it as a basket case, put it together... rode it for a while and then sold it for $75. This was probably around 1958. He also sold a '41 H-D 61 for $100... because (he said) Harleys were worth more money then. HAHA!! Yes... you can add in the obligatory "I WISH" now.

41 Chief Dad.jpg

[Jim]

I forgot to add another picture of the '41... this one is the other side of it, with my Uncle Harold sitting on it. From what I understand, Uncle Harold is the one who gave the Indian to my dad in the boxes.

41 Chief Uncle Harold.jpg

[BoschZEV]

sold it for $75. This was probably around 1958. He also sold a '41 H-D 61 for $100... you can add in the obligatory "I WISH" now.

Don't feel bad. Remember, because of inflation that $100 is equivalent to a lot more in today's dollars. Using a Cost of Living calculator it's as if he sold it for... $880. OK, on second thought, you should feel bad.

[exeric]

For what it's worth, your motor cases are not 1941. I believe 1944 was the first year for the timing plug in the left case. Regardless, the timing plug is an excellent up-grade and makes accurate timing a lot easier on Chiefs.

[tfburke3]

My guess was late 80 swap with clutch brake primary cover and alum. pump,but maybe just rebuilt with the best parts of the day(80 stuff)
Nice combo.
Tom

[Shaky Jake]

Good eyes Eric and Tom! Yes, the engine was swapped for a later 80 ci engine. I believe Sony had the swap done when he fixed it up. To me, the most obvious visual clue is the bump in the primary cover for the compensating sprocket.


Kevin

[Shaky Jake]

Thanks for the pictures Jim. Great story. Very cool.


Kevin

[Shaky Jake]

Those of you in the know, tell me, is this a police fender?










Kevin


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[Shaky Jake]

While I’m waiting for parts for the trans and seat post, I guess I’ll pull the tanks so I can replace that homemade wiring harness.








Kevin


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[Shaky Jake]

Well, one thing led to another. Like it does.





Kevin


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[pisten-bully]

Seems like the hard way to replace a wiring harness

BTW, for what it’s worth I’ve not seen a tool box mounted like yours with the lock on the LH side (but I cannot claim to have seen everything!)