Oil service and transmission/primary service for 1946 Indian Chief

[sunnybamrah]

Hello Fellow Members,

Do you know where I can find a step by step instruction preferably with pictures on how to perform oil service as well as transmission/primary oil service for a 1946 Indian Chief? I didn't find rider book or repair & overhaul manual helpful. Need for pictures is so I know where the drain and fill holes are.

Is there a way to tell if my primary/transmission has been separated or not without taking them apart? I hear some people separate them, I am not sure whether this was done on my bike or not by the previous owner.

Apologize if these are very basic questions, I am knew to the world of Antique motorcycles and am familiarizing myself with working on my motorcycle by myself.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Regards,
Sunny.

[Sargehere]

Welcome to the world of antique motorcycles! It's a terminal disease, you know; no one gets out of it alive, and the only treatment is MORE!!

Let me suggest you look into buying a copy of Modern Motorcycle Mechanics and Speed Tuning by J.B Nicholson Second Edition (Reprint). You'll find that it's the manual on Indians that the Wigwam never published all-in-one.
Here: http://www.modernmotorcyclemechanics.com/buy_now.php

It covers Harleys & Indians along with many British bikes. But around the neighborhood of before and after page 400 (I just looked it up) explains more than you'll find anywhere else in answering your questions on Indian oiling.

[tfburke3]

There is a drain plug on bottom of trans and inner primary case.Drain the trans.Then drain the primary.It will be basically dry if they are connected,which is stock for your 46.Replace primary drain plug remove fill level plug on outer primary cover,below clutch lever.Replace trans drain.Set bike level and fill at large plug on top of inner primary cover,until it runs out the primary level hole.I use HD Sport Trans fluid now but ATF or 20w also work fine.
The military manual also has lots of good info.
Tom

[sunnybamrah]

Thanks a lot Gerry. Will order a copy of the second edition.

Tom thanks for a quick response. Do you know approximately how much oil the primary and transmission will take? Do I need to warm the bike up for a transmission/primary oil service or just do it cold? I was thinking of using Mobil 1 15W50 for my transmission service, another Indian owner recommended this to me.

Regards,
Sunny.

[Sargehere]

Yer quite welcome, Sunny. Here's what Bernie Nicholson has to say on "how much" in the 2nd Edition for ALL Indian Twins, of 37" c.i. (600ccs), 45" c.i. (750ccs) and 74 c.i.: (1200ccs) in that era:

"Primary drive case oil lubricates clutch and gearbox. Use one or two grades lighter oil than is used in engine to minimize clutch drag.
"To drain, remove plug at bottom of primary drive cover. Refill to height of level screw plug, above drive case drain screw.
"Drain and refill every 5,000 miles or sooner if seasonal oil change is necessary. Check oil level every 500 miles"
Oh, and do it cold. Warming the motor doesn't significantly affect the drive case oil viscosity.
Hope this helps!

[sunnybamrah]

Gerry,

Thanks again for your help, will give it a shot this evening . I have ordered the book you recommended above, Greg said should ship out sometime this week.

Regards,
Sunny.

[stbryson]

Hello,

Another good book is "Indian Motorcycle Riders Instruction Book", by Mike Tomas of Kiwi Indian Motorcycle Company. Lots of information and photos/diagrams. 5" x 7", softcover, good size for tool box or saddlebag.

Take care,

Steve Bryson

[sunnybamrah]

Thanks Steve,

Is this the book you are referring too?

http://www.amazon.com/Indian-Motorcy...struction+book

Regards,
Sunny.

[sunnybamrah]

Hello Fellow Members,

A member on another forum created a video, here is the you tube link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nbGje5li_o

Regards,
Sunny.