1941 Chief tank badge placement?

[41Chief]

Hello,

I am in the process of FINALLY putting my 1941 back together. I had the tins painted in red and beige and it looks a lot better than it ever has. However, every time I spend a few hours putting another part on I find yet another part that I need and have to order and then wait for the part(s) to arrive.

But, I am close to done.

Anyway, I bought a set of tank badges (aftermarket) from Crazyhorse in Australia. They are cast aluminum and need some polishing. They are not chrome plated. The 1941 has the tear drop type badges with "Indian" cast in them. There is also supposed to be a chrome strip on the front and back of the badge.

My tanks are plain, in that they do not have a mounting plate soldered to the tank to affix the badges. So, I am going to glue them on, along with the chrome strips that go from the back of the badge and the front. I bought some 3M double sided tape to do that.

In looking at some pictures of 1941 Chiefs, most do not have the badges. Some that do do not have the chrome strips and of the 3 good examples that I found, the placement of the badge is different between them.

So, for those in the know:

Is the badge centered, top to bottom on the tank so that it is parallel to the bottom of the tank? On one bike I looked at, it was, on another it was not and actually angled up a bit towards the front.

How long are the front and back chrome strips? Of the bikes that I saw, the length of the strips varied. Are the leading and trailing ends of the strips straight, angled, rounded, or ???

For the right tank, if you were to draw an imaginary line from a point midway between the fuel and oil tank caps straight down where does that line intersect the badge?

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks,

CLJ
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[exeric]

I know these are terrible pictures but my '41 Scout is really crammed into a tight space right now. The 2-3/4" dimension is from the top surface of the tank, to the top edge of the teardrop badge. Also, the string centerline could be fudged to the middle of the 'N' (Sorry about that). The trim strips, and teardop badge should not be parallel to the bottom of the tank (but I don't know that angle). I got the dimension for the trim, and badge from an original '41 tank and confident they are true. However, I would wait and get that confirmed by another source. I really struggled with committing to the location of the trim, and badge by looking at as many original pictures, and comparing them to my friend's '41. I did see (or imagined I saw) variation in trim and badge locations on Scouts, Chiefs, and Fours which just added to the frustration of committing to something. Wish I could give you solid dimensions but to some (or great) extent, it is an eyeball judgement.

tambo1.jpg tambo2.jpg

[41Chief]

Thanks a bunch. These pics should do fine.

[41Chief]

Did you glue the badge and trim strips on? If so, what glue did you use? And, I guess the paint on the badge should match the main color of the tank? Again, much thanks for the pics.

[PRG]

Howdy chaps,

In General, if u have or obtain original badges and or, especially, original strips I would go to the trouble of soldering the mounting brackets and channels on. It is easily done with a small butane torch and the tank laying flat on a bench. At this stage these are nearly unobtainable and match the material used on both the side and top fender trims. Below is a link to my 441 which will give perspective from all angles. It had the original brackets affixed to one side and the trim strip brackets removed on the other but both in a bag accompanying the machine. I’ve measured locations on many since and concluded they were hand affixed without use of a jig. These are an elegant touch reminiscent of the chevrons on my Knuckle and well worth the effort. Would have been very disappointed to lose one for the effort involved, as they are a two year only signature of the 341/441 and 2.

https://petergz.smugmug.com/Motorcyc...n-Four/My-441/

[exeric]

hh.jpg As Peter said, solder is the way to go. I always use large copper irons that must be heated with a torch and use Red Ruby flux and 50/50 solder. I got my trim strips, and mounts from Jerry Greer and they are nicely made. If you do use glue (which I don't recommend) the best I have found is 3M panel bonding glue and it's wicked strong. The mounts, and strips are very difficult to form to the tank shape and tough to synchronize both tank location. Just take your time, keep at it and you'll do fine.



vintage-1930s-40s-woman-girl-motorcycle-harley-davidson-color-photo-saddlebags_252476477276_zps04hh9x2a.jpg

[41Chief]

I found the aftermarket badges after I painted the tanks, so, soldering on the badge mounts is not going to happen now. So, I got some 3M double sided tape and will use that. Based upon the pics that folks sent me I am going to eyeball it. I should get it close to the proper position. If I soldered on the mounts I would have to eyeball it as well.

Worst case is that the badges and trim fall off and I have to repaint the tanks or carefully remove whatever residual glue is still there.

Thanks for all the help. Much appreciated.

[micmac]

I never noticed the strips before, I wish it was something that was continued into later years (like I have) as it is a very nice touch.

[41Chief]

I *think* the strips were on all the factory tanks with this type of badge. But, some of the archive photos were for prototype machines and the strips were not there. Plus, I would guess that the trips were glued on and they might have fallen off some bikes.

[exeric]

Originally the strips, and badge mounts were spot welded to the tank shell.

[FLFD7]

The teardrop emblem was introduced in 1940 along with the art deco full fenders. The strips or stripes were added in 1941 and lasted until 1942 when civilian production was stopped, with at least some of the 1942 bikes switched to the Indian head logo with the strips in 1942. In 46 they kept the Indian head logo but dropped the strips, and in 47 switched to the Indian script. So only 41 and early 42 had the strips.

[bstevens479]

My understanding is that early 41 did not have the strips & early 42 did not have the 42-46 badges, they kept using the tear drop badges. I remember looking at original paint bikes & talking about this at Rhinebeck.

[FLFD7]

That sounds about right. Indian would’ve used up the teardrop emblems before starting up with the Indian head emblem.

Here is my father’s matching number 42 Chief as purchased in the 1970s, gold rattlecan paint job and all, and it has the teardrop and stripes.


IMG_2719.jpeg

And here it is after he finished it…

IMG_2720.jpeg

[exeric]

Your Father did a fantastic job on that '42, Joe. Considering how difficult it was to source rare parts in the '70s, he really did some outstanding detective work. I really like the understated elegance of his restoration and respect for what Indian produced. That wasn't always followed in the '70s, and '80s.

[FLFD7]

Eric,
Maybe my text was a little misleading he bought the bike back in the 70’s but he didn’t get to restoring it till the mid 2000s, I want to say he finished it like 2009 or so. He had plenty of time to collect what few pieces were missing from that bike.
Joe