Diagram for chief frame

[hairynob24]

G day does anyone have measurements or a diagram for a 22 chief frame, I have a copy of a 40s frame but just wondering if anyone has measurements?? Rob

[exeric]

Good to hear from you, Rob. I had a 1924 Big Chief that was whacked at the right rear axel hanger. Fortunately, our company had a big cast iron surface plate with T-slots which allowed me to secure the frame and jack the right rear section back into place (or close enough). I've had 4 bikes that were damaged in the right rear and it doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out how an unobservant car drive could plow into a motorcyclist turning right. I've had to fix this area on 2 Hendersons, and an Indian Sport Scout For the Hendersons, I drilled deep holes in my shop floor and used hydraulic cement to anchor 'all-thread' used as hold downs. That worked well (1 bolt did pull out of the floor). Henderson frames are not as strong, or well made as a Big Chief frame so they were easier to move. The '41 Sport Scout was the most difficult to fix.

I would be surprised it there are any frame drawings for '20s vintage Chiefs out there. I think you will have to work to a basic center line, axel perpendicularity, and component fits in relation to frame, and other mating parts. Sorry I can't give you anything beyond that meager advice; however, I have found that once you get deeply involved at examining what is bent, and where it's bent, you can formulate a plan, and put together the tools you will need.

bigchief2.jpg

[hairynob24]

Ok exeric thanks for your reply, would I be right in saying that the rear of the frame between axles points are equal between from the centre line?? Cheers Rob

[exeric]

As I recall, the wheels are straight laced and not off-set, but there may be a factory off-set in the frame. Once you establish the centerline of the frame, you can fully assemble the rear wheel (hub) into the frame with the axel, bearings, brake assembly, sprocket, and correct spacers. The centerline of the frame should in-line with the center of the hub, between the spoke flanges (or wheel if it's all laced and trued). If those centerlines don't align the following should be determined:

1. The rear frame axel hangers may be bent in, or spread out and can be corrected with new spacers. . . Not the best solution.
2. You need to know which side is bent (probably the right side) and that can be determined by aligning the transmission sprocket with the rear wheel sprocket. The hard part is securing the frame so you only bend the side that needs to be bent and not creating a misalignment somewhere else in the frame. Indians are good because the trans sprocket is fixed to the motor and will not be independent like a Harley.
3. Ultimately, your wheel and tire need to be in the center of the frame, and fender, and the motor, and wheel sprockets must be in-line. You may need to make new spacers after the adjustments but auto, and motorcycle factories made their frame tolerances in fractions of an inch so you have some wiggle room.

I've never used a laser for frame alignment, but I have to believe it would be a much better tool than expensive, awkward, and hard to use straight edges. Just my opinions, Rob. I'm not an expert, but I have had to deal with frame mis-alignment and had to rely on the tools I had available, and (dare I say) native intelligence

[hairynob24]

thats good advice cheers , i am building a special with a 44 chief motor and the 22 chief frame . i have a 44 rear wheel and brake assembly which is on the wrong side for the 20s but is lining up not to bad . i had to bring the rim over more to the right side to line up with the sprocket , plus use a shorter main shaft and 741 sprocket gear to line up ,i am excited to do this more so than just restore a complete bike , its got my brain thinking beyond the square ..cheers Rob

[pisten-bully]

Rob, maybe Jurgen Hecker can help you, he used to fabricate new frames for 20's Chiefs.

https://www.hecker101.de/en/contact/

or Moen at Indian Parts Europe, also offers new frames for 20's Chiefs:

https://www.indianpartseurope.com/index.html

[hairynob24]

Wow IPE have some great parts, haven't look at that site for some time, making frames n forks amazing job

[exeric]

Thanks for posting those links, Harry. It is so gratifying to know there are still craftsmen out there making those impossible to find parts.