Starting my 1947 Indian Chief for the first time.

[Xtracho]

Big day today. Been working steadily on her for the last 3 weeks. Some successes and some setbacks. But I eventually got her to this day. She runs rough, a huge exhaust leak up by the manifold on the rear cylinder, and lots of crappy oily stuff blown out the exhaust. But a huge hurdle and one that I am proud of. From her on out it's downhill. I want to especially thank all of you that offered your expert advice and guidance through this. My production skills are not the best, but here is the video of the start up. Please excuse my poor imitation of a plumber about 3/4 of the way through.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkkJnp5ie3Y

[harleytoprock]

Very heart moving. Uncle Bernie is very proud! So cool that you now have the bike that you had rides on when you were 5 years old. So cool!

[Flash92]

Fine job Sir!!!!! Who says men don't know what it's like to give birth....?

[koanes]

Thanks for letting us ride along on the journey to put that great old bike back into service. Looking forward to the first ride around the block video.

[SPEIRMOOR]

Beautiful bike and great story. Glad to see it running

[Steve Swan]

Great story and have fun ! Have yet to buy any Strongarm Rust Remover, but this Chief would be a great example of how well Strongarm works.

[Green Indian]

Great, bike and a great video. Please keep posting and sharing. It's a real treat to see such a wonderful "survivor" bike out there.

[Xtracho]

Thanks to all! I am quite humbled by having the privilege of working on her. My Uncle's grandson messaged me after he saw the video and told me that I was only the second person to ever have put a wrench on the bike.

Did a quick fix on that exhaust leak today. Found a pipe coupling made of tin (I think) maybe aluminum, at the local big box DIY store. Took a hose clamp and slid it over the header then slid it into the manifold. Took some Permatex Ultimate Copper High Temp Gasket Silicon and ran a bead around the seam where the header presses into the manifold. Takes 24 hours to cure.

I also had some fuel leaks around the carb. Took it apart and tightened everything up again. But won't be able to test her running until that Permatex stuff cures. Got some good info from Kiwi Mike on tuning the carbs. But I don't think it will do much good unless that exhaust leak is minimized. Kiwi Mike seemed to think she was running way too rich. I had to open the throttle all the way, advance the spark all the way, and keep the choke completely closed to keep her running. Kinda tells me I may have a leak at the intake somewhere.

So, once I fire her up again it's time to troubleshoot and see if I have that intake leak.

As always your input, advice, and guidance will be appreciated. Please be sure it is always taken seriously and with a lot of gratitude.

[sirhrmechanic]

This video deserves to be completely embedded.

Great video. Starting an engine that hasn't run in years is NEVER a dull moment. And always an adrenaline rush.

Yup, still some plumbing things to chase... but it fired! It'll be riding before you know it.

Just beautiful... congrats and thanks for sharing one of those great life moments!

Cheers,

Sirhr

[Tom Lovejoy]

Very nice, fun to watch. Get those leaks squared away and it well settle down nice I bet, Congratulations !

[Xtracho]

Thanks for embedding the video Sirhr. Gotta learn how to do that as there will be more coming along as I move forward.

Later this afternoon going to check my temp fix on the exhaust leak and fire her off again. The Permatex has a 24 hour cure period. Here is a pic of the fix I did yesterday. Just a hose coupling from the plumbing department at the local DIY store.

coupler.jpg