1949 Framed Chief Ebay Project - Legit?

[Skirted]

Anyone see this auction? Was wondering and curious if it was indeed a legit 1949 Chief frame. Only four pics and none of the actual frame number along with a 23k price tag. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/90-Re...orcev4exp=true
Would have liked to seen a closeup of the serial number.
Just curious if it really is a rare 49 Chief frame.

[pisten-bully]

Well... you know how hard it is to read those frame numbers!

All I can say is, at $23k for an incomplete bike it should at least be matching numbers... and as close to original as you can get. But then, if it's really a 1949 frame, you can probably say whatever you'd like about matching numbers because there's seemingly no documentation around for those machines. For example, one could claim: "The 1949 Chiefs all had 1948 engines in them."... or "For 1949, Indian chromed the brake pedal and all those other parts you see in chrome on this rare example."

And, for $23k you could take a few more pictures!

[tfburke3]

Does anyone have a picture of a 49 chief?
Hatfields Resto has a pic of 49 chief from texas dealership.I think the most unique feature was the foot shift /hand clutch set-up.
A photo of numbers would be interesting,but I am usually skeptical of ebay adds with few pics,and would assume they are bogus,unless the authenticator/verifier's name or credentials were mentioned with a close up.

Tom

[c.o.]

I'm sure I've seen more than one photo of a '49 Chief over the years but this is all I could come up with at the moment. The write-up is from the Summer/Fall 1983 issue of "Pow Wow" magazine. It's a scan of essentially a photocopy so the quality isn't the best.

[Skirted]

Between the pic in Jerry Hatfields book and the info Cory posted the seller would have some splaining to do since his "49" frame has girder front suspension.
Thank you for the response guys