1947 Chief in the Stable

[c.o.]

Wow! What an awesome story! That is so cool that you got your hands on that bike. It's a real breath of fresh air to hear you come right out of the gate with intentions of "preserving" it. That machine certainly deserves it. Uncle Bernie would be proud. Welcome to the club and what Sarge said about the life long affliction!

[cdf6333]

Just noticed something that was more common than I had expected on this bike and era. Left hand throttle, right hand shift ( as stock) but Harley type clutch pedal direction. A bunch of the pics going across the AMCA Facebook page show this also.

[Xtracho]

Just noticed something that was more common than I had expected on this bike and era. Left hand throttle, right hand shift ( as stock) but Harley type clutch pedal direction. A bunch of the pics going across the AMCA Facebook page show this also.

There have been others that mentioned the same thing about the clutch pedal. Wondering if that was a common modification back then. And, if so, why was it?

By the way, my cousin sent me the original Bill of Sale for the bike. Here it is.
bill_of_sale.jpg

[Jim]

VERY NICE!!! I love that original info you have on the bike.

[Xtracho]

The original info on the bike is wonderful. And the bike having been in the family makes it more so. I hope to have some vintage photos of my Uncle with the bike very soon.

[PRG]

Howdy chaps,

Anyone note a very neat accessory on that invoice; a PowerFlow compensator sprocket. For those unfamiliar here's the one in my 1946 Chief. A most worthwhile improvement that transforms the drivetrain in a Chief but requires commitment to install, primary and clutch assembly must be removed. If the original still present the spring is likely fractured and will require replement. Kevin Flanagan at Indian Guage at one time made a stronger replacement.

[Brownie63]

That's awesome! Thanks for posting and we will look forward to seeing the cleanup and startup.

[phillie]

Awesome Machine. If I can help out in any way I will as well!! Great to see another one getting taken care of.

[Xtracho]

Just wanted to chime in with an update. I'll be bringing the Indian home with me when I return from Brazil in early June. Work constraints down here have prevented me from picking the bike up from my cousin's house. And we are getting ready to move into a new home as well. But not to worry, she sits in a climate controlled garage and I have her covered up as well. A bit of controversy erupted among my Uncle's grandchildren when it was discovered that I had acquired the bike. Seems that many of them thought it should have gone to them. However I learned from their Uncle that they intended to get the bike and sell it off to the highest bidder where I intend to keep her in the family. Just too much family history in this bike to sell it off. After a bit of chatting with one of the grandsons he told me that everyone would get over it and he was actually glad that I got the bike because of my intentions to keep it in the family. And slowly but surely I am getting more of the bike's history in the way of photos. Here is the latest from one of the grandkids...showing my Uncle sitting on his beloved Indian. I would guess this photo was taken in the early 50's.

I will let all of you good people know when I have her safely tucked away in her new home.

Uncle.jpg

[Jim]

I just hate it when it seems that in our world, everything seems to boil down to the almighty dollar... Money isn't everything!

[pisten-bully]

Here is the latest from one of the grandkids...showing my Uncle sitting on his beloved Indian. I would guess this photo was taken in the early 50's.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]13127[/ATTACH]

Nice photo! I see that whenever that photo was taken, your uncle had already changed over the clutch pedal to Harley norm!

[Skirted]

Cool photo indeed. What a treasure. Wonder whos other Indian that was parked beside him?

Urgh! typical greed that comes out when an estate is settled. The fact that all they cared about is money grabbing speaks volumes of their empty morality. Don't know how old they are but they have a lot to learn about life.

Look forward to hearing more when you get back home.

[Xtracho]

Well guys the time has finally come. My job has kept me in Brazil for most of the last year. Except for a few weeks home here and there. But this time home I'm going to pick up the Indian and bring it back home so I can get started on her. So, for all you veterans out there get ready to be flooded with questions and pleas for advice. To say I am excited is an understatement. Just choosing a starting point is going to be a challenge. Oh, and buying new SAE tool sets! LOL...my other two bikes are metrics.

[sirhrmechanic]

Well guys the time has finally come. My job has kept me in Brazil for most of the last year. Except for a few weeks home here and there. But this time home I'm going to pick up the Indian and bring it back home so I can get started on her. So, for all you veterans out there get ready to be flooded with questions and pleas for advice. To say I am excited is an understatement. Just choosing a starting point is going to be a challenge. Oh, and buying new SAE tool sets! LOL...my other two bikes are metrics.

Buying tools is not spending money... it's investing it. A good Craftsman set won't break the bank and they are fundamentally excellent tools. You can get a large SAE set from them for relatively short $$. Everything you ever need for a Chief. While you are at it... get a set of files...
and an SAE Tap and Die set. Mainly for chasing threads. Sears sells a good set.

Also a (bench) wire brush that you can use to wire brush and buff small parts.

A small bench-top parts-washer is a great investment for the kind of cleaning you will be doing (cruddy wheel bearings and crusty old grease...). Northern Tools has some cheap ones that work far better than you would expect for the $$. Fill with some Gunk degreaser and your cleaning tasks will be much simpler!

And if you haven't found one already, buy an Indian Manual! The reprints of the military manuals are really first rate and not expensive. It's what I have and is very good.

You probably want some Leather rejuvenator for that seat, too. Leatherique brand rejuvenator is the best I've ever found, but there are other good leather restoration products out there.

The project is, as I think I said, gorgeous and will be first rate. It looks like 99 percent cleaning... and careful recommissioning and you'll have a dream bike!

Keep the pictures and questions coming, everyone here is looking forward to hearing (and seeing) your progress and to helping you get on the road!

Cheers,

Sirhr

[Shaky Jake]

Just stumbled across this thread. Great story. Looks like you're getting a lot of good advice. I will be watching with great interest.

Kevin

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