Chief Rear Fenders 1948 vs 1947

[diablo]

Are the 1948 and 1947 and earlier Chief rear fenders the same except that the 1947 has the hole for the speedometer cable or are they a different stamping?

[PaulCDF]

Diablo;

I am no expert on this.

Checked my copy of Jerry Hatfield Indian Motorcycle Restoration
Hatfield notes as your said: Pages 158-159 CHART 1.16 External Changes on the 1948 Chiefs
"rear fender left side, no hole for speedometer drive."

Checking Jerry Geers note for REAR Fenders Geers lists:

1948 Chief
Geers Part # 407019

Geers Part #Part Number: 407012
This part also fits:
Fender - Rear
1946 Chief
1947 Chief

Hope this helps.

[diablo]

Thanks. I have a 47 and older fender to use on my 48 project so I think I will fill in the hole and use it. Thanks again-Doug

[pisten-bully]

This is a good question, because besides the speedo cable hole you have to wonder about the fender mount tabs on the upper front of the fender, (above the generator, below the seat) where the fender mounts to the frame cross member. '48 was the changeover to a curved cross member, so did Indian fabricate the new cross member to accommodate the exact same location of those mounting points for either cross member style...or are they different?

[D.A.Bagin]

Was it a running change during the 48 year that the cross member changed from round tube to square stock or was it from day 1 of the 48 manufacturing? Mine is square stock.

[Skirted]

I was wondering the same thing about the rear cross member mounting Harry.
The frame cross member was definitely a early/mid year change in 48. I forget around what VIN range the change was made. I believe Hatfields book covered the change. My VIN is in the 3200s and it has the later squared member.

[Dkgoz]

The square vs round fender brace on '48 Chief frames was discussed about 10 years ago on the Virtual Indian list. Mike Breeding thought the change was made at about serial number 3000. Someone else reported having S/N CDH3030 and said his frame had the round brace.

dkgoz
Dave Goesling

[PaulCDF]

Checking Hatfield's Indian Motocycle Restoration Guide author notes under external changes 48 Chief Chart 1.16: "frame, rear crossbar (next to rear fender) changed from tubular to rectangular cross section, running change made in March 1948 (middle of 1948-model production)"

[diablo]

1947 and 1948 Chief fenders are identical except the the hole for the speedo cable on the 48 is punched, similar to an outlet box hole, but the center section is not removed.