How to remove a clutch hub on a 1948 Chief

[Igor]

Hey everyone,
I’m trying to remove the clutch hub on my 1948 Chief and could use some advice.
I’ve fabricated a homemade puller tool, using the clutch sprocket itself to pull the clutch hub off the shaft.
tried it carefully just now but the hub is on there really tight and doesn’t want to budge.

My questions:
• Is this a good approach or could something break using this method?
• Any tips or alternative ideas?

All advice is welcome, thanks in advance!
Igor

[otis71]

Try shocking it with tension on it.

[FNG1]

Thats what a Harley owner doesn't know about Indians. Thanks to tfburke3 for the correct process.
Disregard this
How thick is your puller plate? It may just be deforming. Like otis71 said, a tap on the puller screw while its tight would help. Maybe add some stiffening to the plate. Hope this helps.

[tfburke3]

Remove the puller plate.Use a small curved pry bar,like brake adjuster tool,pry the hub outward from basket, and tap shaft with hammer to break taper.Some heat may help but usually not necessary.
Tom

[FLFD7]

Igor,

I'm confused by your puller design, it looks like you are hoping that the clutch basket will knock the hub off the shaft taper? I think what's happening is your disc is pulling on the basket by pushing off the end of the main shaft with a center bolt? If that is what you are trying then it won't work cause the basket is secured with a nut in the transmission case, you tugging on the clutch basket screws will not pull the basket (or hub) outward, it'll just keep getting tighter, which is what you describe as happening.

A little heat is your friend. And a smack on the hub opposite from the key.

Joe

[PaulCDF]

Chief Primary Geers.jpg Diagram from Geers:
And note: (More to myself than you) when we are talking about hammers and striking things rawhide, or lead (Pb) hammer or lacking either a block of wood between object and hammer.

[Igor]

Hey guys,

Sorry for the late reply, I was away for the weekend!

Thank you all for the great advice. Joe, you nailed it, I now understand why my homemade puller wasn't working.
I see now the basket is secured with a nut on the shaft, makes total sense now.

Paul, thanks for the diagram from Greer's, very helpful! And good reminder about using a rubber or lead hammer, will do.

I'll give it another go this week and report back!

Igor

[Igor]

Good news everyone: it worked!
Using a heat gun, a pry bar and a bronze hammer, a few controlled taps and the clutch hub came right off.
Using the same method I also managed to remove the engine sprocket. And fortunately the clutch basket nut came off very easily.
End result: the entire primary drive is now removed!
Thanks again to everyone for your help!

Igor
The Netherlands

[Skirted]

Good news Igor! I was a little cncerned about the crank sprocket as those can be a real buggar sometimes. What is your plan now that its apart?

[Igor]

Good news Igor! I was a little cncerned about the crank sprocket as those can be a real buggar sometimes. What is your plan now that its apart?

Hey Jason,
Thanks for checking in!
When I bought the Chief a few months ago it had an electric starter on it. After some research it turned out to be a Dutch-made starter kit (see attachments).

I spoke with a mechanic who is familiar with these kits and he mentioned seeing issues with them on other bikes as well, specifically that the gear inside the primary cover is too weak to handle the torque. When it fails it leaves the entire primary drive packed with metal shavings. Not ideal!

The inner and outer primary had been modified to fit the starter, so they had to come off. In the meantime I found an original unmodified inner and outer primary on eBay which came in this week.

My plan is to get everything as original as possible while keeping the 12V electrical system. The one thing I’m still undecided on is the 12V generator:
I want something that looks as original as possible from the outside. Do you happen to know what the best options are for that?

Igor
The Netherlands

[PaulCDF]

"primary drive packed with metal shavings. Not ideal!"

Especially if your primary and gearbox share the same lubricant.

Your side of the pond I would check with:
Your local Chapter see if there is anyone "local" to you.

Then:

Fred Dufrene" <listes@dufrene.net

https://www.indian-france.com/rtm.html

(He will likely know someone)

OR

IndianFrank@yahoo.com.
"Indian" Frank Vandevelde (1-618-937-4979 indianfrank@yahoo.com) can rebuild an Autolite generator, or do a 12 volt conversion for you. He does very good work. He did mine. He may know someone in EU.

[tfburke3]

Frank did 12v conversion with electronic regulator for me.I sent him a beat up unit that came back like new original.
The cost was similar to cycle electric units.
Tom