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During the 'pandemic' I began piecing together an Indian 741 'bitsa' this could be labeled "How NOT to build a bike" or perhaps "What I did with my stymie check". I did not document my "process" (or lack thereof) sufficiently. What this is NOT a "restoration" or a "conservation". This is or will be one day an Indian 741 Bobber.
-I bought an assembled basket case 741 engine and transmission based on: Several discussions with the owner; pictures, Clear title and paperwork.
-Over time and from various sellers I was able to amass the major parts: front and rear frame sections front girder; front wheel; rear wheel hub; second rim, brakes, seat yoke and handle bars.
- The frame seller did caution me that the front and rear frame sections; "Are not in the shape I would like" so he was selling.
FRAME
-The rear section axle slots had been "buggered" slots into it (for quick wheel
changes?) I had a bit of luck brazing in some steel to repair the axle slot castings.
-I started doing mock-ups with the front and rear frame sections bolted together. I put my seat yoke on the frame and found I was sitting 'side saddle'. I was able straighten the seat mount. Next I went to mount the right side oil and gas tank and found only 2 of the 3 tank mounting bolts lined up! On closer inspection I found the neck had been worked on and welded. This repair was beyond my limited skills.
-I reached out to different folks and got either NO answer or varying opinions ranging from "I would run it like that" to "You need to get that thing fixed or buy a different frame, they make reproduction frames". I have to admit at one point I did think about buying a new reproduction front frame section but then. . . what would happen to this frame?
- Mr. John Bivens was recommended to me on Virtual Indian forum. I contacted him; we discussed my situation; I emailed some photos. He said he could likely fix it!
- I shipped the frame sections off.
PICTURE #1 Show welds on frame and neck
PICTUREs #2, #3 and #4 Show headstock mis-alignment.
-The neck 'repair' was crap with a piece of steel crammed into the neck casting to align the tube then welded with extremely poor penetration. Mr. Bivens was able to place the headstock in a shop vice and break it free of the tubes by hand!
PICTURE #5 Shows Headstock casting separated from tubes
"The First Rule of Old Motorcycle repair and conservation:
Someone at sometime in this motorcycles "life" has done something to it which may either injure or kill you. Your job is to find it and fix it before it does."
741 Buggered Neck Welds AMCA 1.JPG 741 tank frame off AMCA 2.JPG Buggered Neck 741 G VIPC2386 AMCA 3.JPG Buggered Neck 741 H MJZG5887 AMCA 4.JPG Buggered Neck 741 Neck Seperation AMCA 5 NDAU2989.JPG
-I bought an assembled basket case 741 engine and transmission based on: Several discussions with the owner; pictures, Clear title and paperwork.
-Over time and from various sellers I was able to amass the major parts: front and rear frame sections front girder; front wheel; rear wheel hub; second rim, brakes, seat yoke and handle bars.
- The frame seller did caution me that the front and rear frame sections; "Are not in the shape I would like" so he was selling.
FRAME
-The rear section axle slots had been "buggered" slots into it (for quick wheel
changes?) I had a bit of luck brazing in some steel to repair the axle slot castings.
-I started doing mock-ups with the front and rear frame sections bolted together. I put my seat yoke on the frame and found I was sitting 'side saddle'. I was able straighten the seat mount. Next I went to mount the right side oil and gas tank and found only 2 of the 3 tank mounting bolts lined up! On closer inspection I found the neck had been worked on and welded. This repair was beyond my limited skills.
-I reached out to different folks and got either NO answer or varying opinions ranging from "I would run it like that" to "You need to get that thing fixed or buy a different frame, they make reproduction frames". I have to admit at one point I did think about buying a new reproduction front frame section but then. . . what would happen to this frame?
- Mr. John Bivens was recommended to me on Virtual Indian forum. I contacted him; we discussed my situation; I emailed some photos. He said he could likely fix it!
- I shipped the frame sections off.
PICTURE #1 Show welds on frame and neck
PICTUREs #2, #3 and #4 Show headstock mis-alignment.
-The neck 'repair' was crap with a piece of steel crammed into the neck casting to align the tube then welded with extremely poor penetration. Mr. Bivens was able to place the headstock in a shop vice and break it free of the tubes by hand!
PICTURE #5 Shows Headstock casting separated from tubes
"The First Rule of Old Motorcycle repair and conservation:
Someone at sometime in this motorcycles "life" has done something to it which may either injure or kill you. Your job is to find it and fix it before it does."
741 Buggered Neck Welds AMCA 1.JPG 741 tank frame off AMCA 2.JPG Buggered Neck 741 G VIPC2386 AMCA 3.JPG Buggered Neck 741 H MJZG5887 AMCA 4.JPG Buggered Neck 741 Neck Seperation AMCA 5 NDAU2989.JPG
) Looking forward to following along!
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