Technical Data on Early Indians

[samsmc1]

Are there any publications for early Indians similar to what Bruce Palmer has produced for Harley's?
I've seen quite a bit on later Chiefs, but very little on the earlier bikes.
I have a '12, 14, '15 and '17 that I would like to get started on, but I don't know where to find detailed data
similar to what's available for the 101 Scouts or Harley's.
Can anyone steer me on this?
Thanks
Sam

[slamiste]

I'm not aware of anything like Palmer's book for Indians or Harleys in the year range you're looking for. I have a fairly complete 1917 Indian Power Plus that I can supply assembly pictures of but as far as correct part finishes and correct parts / year fitment your best bet is to ask specific questions here on the forum.

Steve Slaminko

[samsmc1]

Steve
I seemed to have stepped into a puddle with this '17 that I have.
I acquired a nice '17 frame with forks and complete rear suspension in the early '80's with the purchase of an Excelsior.
I had it blasted and primed before I hung it from the rafters.
Many years later I bought a fairly complete what I thought was a '16 Powerplus from a friend of mine that was completely apart except for the engine. It was also in very nice shape - just apart.
About 10 years ago I was laying out everything I had prior to restoration when I determined that my nice engine was for a '17 and not a '16 like the rest of the chassis.
I believe a '15 and '16 share the same chassis, so all I had to do was assemble a '15 engine which I have most of except for the intake domes (is anyone reproducing nice intake domes yet??).
I really could use some detailed pictures of a '17 model to match up some of the many extra early Indian parts I have scattered around here. With detailed pictures I can determine what else I need that's different on the '17.
To your knowledge, are there any reproduction (or original) fenders and tank available for the '17 Powerplus?
Thanks
Sam

[slamiste]

Sam,
Here's a few overall pictures of my 17. If you tell me what additional pictures you'd like to have I can try and get them. I can't verify that anything on my bike is spot on correct but I believe most of the major parts are. The seat assembly and the taillight are likely not correct and the modern mag for sure is not correct.

The only source of parts I'm aware of is Ziggy in Ontario (he advertises in the classifies in the club mag). Others on the forum will hopefully respond with additional information. 004.jpg006.jpg005.jpg016.jpg

[painterdale]

Hi, Sam!
I got a set of '17 tanks from Geloman.
http://www.geloman.com/html/indian-powerplus-parts.html

Dale

[1917PowerPlus]

Hi Sam, I have two 17’s, one I restored the other is original. If you have some specific photos or information your looking for, I might be able to help.
Todd

[Spacke2speed]

Samsmc1
The Indian parts books for the early Hedstrom and Power Plus will help understanding which goes on which year and what year the parts are for. If your projects are a combination of other incomplete projects, you need to know what you have and what goes on what. There are places that repo these parts books.
To answer your inquiry, the ’15 chassis is different than the ’16 chassis. They both have the linkage setup on the neck, while the ’17 is on the neck web. The ’15 frame has the Hedstrom motor mounts setup, two rear motor mount bolts, while a ’16 chassis has the Power Plus motor mount setup, one rear motor mount bolt. The kickstarted assembly mounting/parts are also different due to the different mounting. The shift linkage boss on the frame below the seat is also different between the ’15 and ’16 in both boss size and thread. There is also a difference in the front forks, the ’15 vs ’16 list can go on and on.
The ’16 motors have barrels that are ¼ inch shorter than the ’17 barrels, due to the wrist pins are located differently in the pistons, is the easy way to tell the differences between ’16 and ’17 barrels. Again, use the same type and be careful not to mix.
There is a lot of other changes starting with the ’17 Power Plus.
You mentioned you also have some Hedstrom projects, remember, besides the normal pedal starts models, they offered front kick start models, which have a lot of different parts then the pedal start models, starting with the engine cases, motor sprocket, front motor mounts, primary cover, and on and on. Even the front kick starter parts themselves differ from year to year.

Just remember, that all this is part of the fun and joy of learning about early Indians.
Spacke2speed