1932 Chief - Cylinders and Horn questions

[bdawson]

I am heading to Davenport next week to try and source some '32 Chief cylinders. Does anyone know if there are any major differences between '32 - '34 Chief cylinders? I currently have '36 cylinders and they bolt up fine to my '32 heads....they just aren't correct as the fins/fin pattern aren't the same. I guess my question is, if I find '33 or '34 chief cylinders do they basically look the same as '32 chief cylinders? I will try Robin Markey with this question also. Second question: I am in need of the feather face horn that I think was applicable from '31 to '37? Not just the face, but the entire horn. I tried Kiwi but they don't make them anymore. Does anyone know who might sell these? I remember that there is usually a guy at Davenport who sells horns....just not sure if he will be there again this year. If anyone has a '31-37 feather face horn they want to sell, I am all ears. Thanks for any help you can provide to the above questions.

[tfburke3]

Roger Long is the horn guy.He is an ebay seller also.He uses original autolite body with I think a Kiwi Indian face,and will also rebuild a horn.
My Hatfield resto guide says 32-34 as same cylinder. Maybe different finish.My 34 cylinders are nickle plated.My other set of identical cylinders are black,with no signs of plating.

Tom

[Steve Swan]

I am heading to Davenport next week to try and source some '32 Chief cylinders. Does anyone know if there are any major differences between '32 - '34 Chief cylinders? I currently have '36 cylinders and they bolt up fine to my '32 heads....they just aren't correct as the fins/fin pattern aren't the same. I guess my question is, if I find '33 or '34 chief cylinders do they basically look the same as '32 chief cylinders? I will try Robin Markey with this question also. Second question: I am in need of the feather face horn that I think was applicable from '31 to '37? Not just the face, but the entire horn. I tried Kiwi but they don't make them anymore. Does anyone know who might sell these? I remember that there is usually a guy at Davenport who sells horns....just not sure if he will be there again this year. If anyone has a '31-37 feather face horn they want to sell, I am all ears. Thanks for any help you can provide to the above questions.

Brent, i have a new Stark feather face horn; it would need to be chrome plated. 20230822_223553.jpg

[bdawson]

Thanks for the info TFBurke and Steve. I have reached out to Roger Long and he is bringing some horns to Davenport, so will purchase one from him. Thanks for the cylinder info TFBurke3. Am sending you a private message so as not to clog this post up. thanks again guys.

[gharper]

Brent,

Beware on the horn...... my parts books are packed for Davenport so I can't verify years but... The Indian face horn came out in 1931. The original design was terrible in that the face was rolled on, sandwiching all the parts together. Great, until the horn needed worked on. It can't be taken apart unless you unroll the face, a tough job and even tougher to get back on. This design was used for at least 31 and 32, maybe 33 as well. Then they got smart and made the face removable with bolts. To be correct you need the rolled face horn. I'll get you a picture...

[bdawson]

thank you for the knowledge Gene.

[JTR249]

Hey Dawson, I have a question. Is there really a number stamped on the bottom, center edge of original feather-face horn covers or was that as well a difference between early rolled face covers and late covers? Which type has which cover?
I recently saw both types for sale online and wondered how people are supposed to tell the difference or even if that is possible?
How did your experience in Davenport turn out?
Thanks.
-JR

[bstevens479]

1931- 1933 was a Motovox horn with crimped on face, 1934-1940 was an Autolite horn with bolt on face. I have both & think that the Motovox has a better sound. I have a spare rear 32-34 cylinder, also 2 nice 1934 heads, first year for 14mm plugs. I need 2 1936 cylinders , especially the front, I sure we can work a deal.

[JTR249]

bstevens479,
I wasn't looking to buy one. Sorry. I saw several faces and a couple horns up for sale online and I just wondered how people tell the difference between repop and original. I saw one face that had the stamping on the center, bottom edge and the post said something like, that was the way to tell the difference. Some or most of the ones online now do not have visible stamping.
Thanks.
-JR

[FLFD7]

Some pictures of an original rolled edge horn….

IMG_1636.jpeg IMG_1637.jpeg IMG_1638.jpeg

[tfburke3]

1931- 1933 was a Motovox horn with crimped on face, 1934-1940 was an Autolite horn with bolt on face. I have both & think that the Motovox has a better sound. I have a spare rear 32-34 cylinder, also 2 nice 1934 heads, first year for 14mm plugs. I need 2 1936 cylinders , especially the front, I sure we can work a deal.

My 1934 chief was very original bike with the rolled edge horn
Tom

[JTR249]

Joe and Tom,

Thanks for the information and photos.
-JR