36 Chief Basket Case - Help Needed

[Knotthed]

OK, my dad who has had this probably since the early 70's has finally let me dig it out of the shed.

I have a pile of parts and need help with some identification and information.

The frame is stamped 336 (it initially looked like 886 to me, but there is not an 886 that I know of) the motor cases are CCF with matching numbers.

What is the cutoff# from early "Screw type" gas and oil caps instead of twist ons?

I would like to build an inventory list of what I have versus what I need to decide how to proceed with the project.

Is there a specialist out there for 1936?

Thanks in advance!

[exeric]

Get Jerry Hatfield's book on Indian Chiefs, and his Indian restoration guide. Talk to people at AMCA meets. Take pictures of '35, '36, and '37 Chiefs so you know what came before and after. Take lots of pictures and ask lots of questions. Check out bikes and parts on ebay because you'll learn a lot by seeing isolated parts and get information from the descriptions. If you're really passionate about the restoration, you will become THE expert very quickly. Do your own investigative research and ask for help on this forum when you get stumped. It's not a cut and dried deal with old motorcycles. A lot of things have been lost to time and sometimes even the experts have to give it their best guess. I really think the first thing you need to do is gather as much information and as many pictures as you can so you know a lot about '36 Chiefs. Then you can start asking the detailed questions.

[exeric]

A friend of mine is restoring a '35 Chief. 1935 is the last year for screw type gas caps. '36 would be the bayonet type.

[Knotthed]

Thanks exeric.

That is basically what I have been doing.

It doesn't seem like there is much action on this forum.

I guess I will plan on a big information gathering trip to Davenport IA.

[exeric]

Davenport will be excellent for that. This forum is really an amazing source of information and you will discover that some of those impossible to answer questions can be answered by the remarkable talent you find here. Besides, summer is a slow time for this forum because everyone is enjoying their bikes.

[slarsonroy]

35 Chief

Hey Knotthed, I may be contacting YOU as Ive found a 35 Chief barn bike and will be looking for information as you were. I would really appreciate any pictures. Im located in SW Iowa. Scott

[Mark Woodstock]

Hi, Slarsonroy, I happen to be the friend of Exeric who is restoring the 1935 Chief. I don't know too much about them, but would try to help you the best I can. I would love to see some photos of your project. Over the years I've tried to take as many photos of early 30s bikes as I've been able to find. As you know, there are so many changes through the years.
Thanks.

[Rollo]

Contact Robin Markey at Bob's Indian Sales. He is an expert and may have parts you need. Elmer Lower who is also in Penn. has done many restorations. And Rocky Halter at Rocky's Indian. Any or all of these are ones you should talk with. There are others such as Starklite and Kiwi too but Robin Markey is the one who judges them as well so I would think he would be the man! I have a 36 Cheif too.

Rollo
AMCA #12766

[exeric]

Scott. Don't let Mark Woodstock's modesty fool you, he knows '35 Chiefs as well as anyone and that is saying something because the '35 is a very unique Chief.

[chicagohen]

Eric, I think early '36 tanks were still using threaded caps. I believe Indian made a running change that year. Steve C.

[Mammausu]

Hey Knotthed,
I have a 336 myself and had the same dilemma. I was told by a knowledgeable fellow that early 36 chiefs had the screw in caps. Conversation with a well known AMCA judge, however yielded a firm "no. 36 chief was bayonet only. Four cyls still had screw ins in 36" From my own research however, and I could be mistaken, I believe that 36 was the first and only year of the left hand case breather tapping just forward and below the front jug which some people claim was for a timing mark view hole.
At any rate, the tanks that came with my bike have 5 tappings in the bottom of the oil tank. They would be; supply, return, vent, drain, and..? gee! the additional 1 year only crankcase vent from the left side of the motor!
I don't know what production number they ran out of screw bungs at, but I believe that as long as those tanks have the fifth fitting, then I'd argue it till I was blue in the face. And I have!