1917 Powerplus

[exeric]

I had a 1940 Chief, and it was terrible for rear wheel work. When I did have to do brake work, or re-packing the wheel hub with grease I would take the fender off to make life easier. The factory books advised owners to just roll the bike on it's side to get a wheel off. I always thought that was the only embarrassing part of owning a skirted fender Indian.

Regarding your rear stand. There's always Geloman.

http://www.geloman.de/html/indian.html

[painterdale]

I never considered how difficult that task would be on a skirted bike! I got one of the stands from Geloman. Nice piece, I just figured I would keep searching for an O.E. one. Dale

[Shaky Jake]

Dale, you might want to consider getting a hydraulic or pneumatic lift. Most of them have a rear drop-out that makes it easy to remove the rear wheel. They save your back and your knees too.

Kevin

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[painterdale]

Found a little time today to crack into the rear hub. (Not much to read on the forum today) Pulled the adjustable cone off of the sprocket side and saw only 10 balls.

Flipped it over and pulled off the brakes and again, only 10 balls.


The 1916 parts book in the virtual library shows 22 total. Kevin's wheel in his thread has 11 per side. HMMM. Also found felt washers on both sides of the rear hub.


I didn't find any on either side of the front hub.



Kevin, if you're reading, did you find any felt seals on any of yours? Anyone else have knowledge to share on the subject?
Also I should give kudos to Universal Vintage Tire Co. in Hershey, Pa. I ordered Coker tires, tubes and rim strips from them. Prices were better than most and my stuff showed up quick! Thumbs up! Till next time, Dale

[Shaky Jake]

Kevin, if you're reading, did you find any felt seals on any of yours? Anyone else have knowledge to share on the subject?

Of course I'm reading Dale! And I must say; nice job on the post. My wheels did not have the felt washers, but they could have easily been lost to the ages. It looks like the parts book lists felt washers for the front, H2972, but not for the rear. Interesting. It looks like you also had another large metal washer inside the dust cap? Were they inboard or outboard of the felt washers?

Thanks again for posting the pictures.



Kevin #97

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[painterdale]

Hello, Kevin #97! Congrats. Your on your way now! The metal washers were fit next to the bearings then came the washer/seal and dust cover. Presumably to protect the felt seal from the bearings. Interestingly, the front hub had the metal washers on both sides and the dust cover looks like it could accommodate a seal just like the rear. I found these markings on the speedometer "road gear" today:





Dale

[painterdale]

On the rear wheel there is also evidence of nickel under the black on the spokes and hub.

I realize this is all probably common knowledge to most, but for me it's all new and exciting so you'll have to pardon my enthusiasm!

The rear rim was not as bad as the front so I took a cue from Kevin and bead blasted the inner part, hit it with some etch prime and it looks ready for a tire.

Now for a new question. Why are the original valve stem holes square?



Thanks again for all the help and info! Dale

[exeric]

I've seen that rectangular hole in early rims as well. I know that some early Schrader valves had 2 flats and were not round like modern valve stems.

[Shaky Jake]

...I took a cue from Kevin and ...

Well that doesn't sound like a very good idea....


BTW - did you see that 1917 Powerplus that went for $63,000 on eBay a few days ago? It was a beaut, from what I could tell.


Kevin

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[painterdale]

[QUOTE=Shaky Jake;149458]Well that doesn't sound like a very good idea....

Aw, come on man! I can't wait to see what "we're" going to do next! Sorry I didn't see the Powerplus on e-bay.

[Shaky Jake]

... Sorry I didn't see the Powerplus on e-bay.

Here's a link

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1917-Indian-...vip=true&rt=nc



Kevin


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[painterdale]

WOW! Dale

[painterdale]

Looks better with tires...




...and it's easier to move! Dale

[Shaky Jake]

Man. That's lovely. Put some oil and gas in it and lets hear it run!

You going to Wauseon?


Kevin

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[painterdale]

Won't be making Wauseon. I'll be helping to stimulate the economy of Bermuda. Even missed Oley this year for the first time in ages. Don't like it when life gets in the way of motorcycles! When I get back I'll look at what it might take to get it to fire. It only took a couple of years to get tires on it! Dale