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1941 Chief “Sonny”

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  • 1941 Chief “Sonny”

    I wanted to introduce this new-to-me 1941 Chief, and ask a couple of questions. Here are some pictures of the bike as it was when I got it.












    The reason that I’m calling it Sonny is that it was Sonny (Eugene) Fleury’s bike. Sonny owned the Claremont, NH Speedway in the 1960’s and 70’s. It was also called the Fleury Family Speedway for a while. I believe it still exists, but has been modernized. In Sonny’s day it was a dirt short track for sprint car racing. Sonny had this bike and fixed it up as his parade bike. He passed away in 1993, and his Widow sold it to my friend George in 1996. George rode it around for about a year a then stashed in the back of his garage until he sold it to me earlier this year. When I got it, it hadn’t ran for 20 plus years, but all it took was a carb rebuild and a little point filing and tank flushing and I was able to ride it.

    My first question is, does anybody remember this bike when Sonny owned it, and have any stories or pictures to share?

    My second question is about the about the saddle bags, which are pretty fancy and have “Bags by Kaiser” written inside them. They are nice bags, they have an internal framework made from steel rods, and they have indents for the plungers on the Indian frame. Is anyone familiar with “Bags by Kaiser? Here are some pictures:












    Thanks,

    Kevin Naser
    Kevin
    https://www.youtube.com/c/motodesoto

  • #2
    Nice score, Kevin! I can't offer you any information but it's good to hear from you. It's been a while.

    Dale

    Comment


    • #3
      Hi Kevin, a previous forum contributor, Phillie, is from Claremont...but we haven’t heard from him on the forum in several years. He has a couple vintage Indians and is also involved in the races at the track in Claremont. I text with him ever so often so I’ll reach out to him and see what he has to say!
      Pisten Bully is Harry Roberts in Vermont.

      Comment


      • #4
        Phillie says BPK!! (Brian Keating) worked with Sonny before he passed, so suggested you reach out to him.
        Last edited by pisten-bully; 07-24-2019, 08:00 PM.
        Pisten Bully is Harry Roberts in Vermont.

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by painterdale View Post
          Nice score, Kevin! I can't offer you any information but it's good to hear from you. It's been a while.

          Dale
          It’s good to hear from you too Dale! How’s the 17 PowerPlus coming?

          Kevin
          Kevin
          https://www.youtube.com/c/motodesoto

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by pisten-bully View Post
            Phillie says BPK!! (Brian Keating) worked with Sonny before he passed, so suggested you reach out to him.

            Thanks Harry! I sent a private message to Brian. We’ll see what happens.

            Kevin
            Kevin
            https://www.youtube.com/c/motodesoto

            Comment


            • #7
              VERY NICE '41!!! My dad had a '41 Chief back in 1955- '58, or thereabouts.
              Jim

              AMCA #6520

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by Jim View Post
                VERY NICE '41!!! My dad had a '41 Chief back in 1955- '58, or thereabouts.
                Thanks Jim. I’m pretty excited about it.

                Kevin
                Kevin
                https://www.youtube.com/c/motodesoto

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by Shaky Jake View Post
                  It’s good to hear from you too Dale! How’s the 17 PowerPlus coming?

                  Kevin
                  Powerplus is good, Kevin. Got it running last summer. I was double checking the mag timing and decided to give it a kick. Pop! Hmm. Kicked a couple more times after pushing, pulling and twisting some things and on the fourth kick it fired. I wasn't expecting that. Didn't even have the garage door open. So there it was blowing junk out of the muffler, making noise and smoking and all I could think is- how do I shut this thing off!
                  Are you in for 2020?

                  Dale

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    very nice 41 sir

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by hairynob24 View Post
                      very nice 41 sir
                      Thanks.

                      Kevin
                      Kevin
                      https://www.youtube.com/c/motodesoto

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by painterdale View Post
                        Powerplus is good, Kevin. Got it running last summer. I was double checking the mag timing and decided to give it a kick. Pop! Hmm. Kicked a couple more times after pushing, pulling and twisting some things and on the fourth kick it fired. I wasn't expecting that. Didn't even have the garage door open. So there it was blowing junk out of the muffler, making noise and smoking and all I could think is- how do I shut this thing off!
                        Are you in for 2020?

                        Dale
                        Ha! I would have loved to see that! Have you ridden it yet?

                        Yes - I’m in for 2020.

                        Kevin
                        Kevin
                        https://www.youtube.com/c/motodesoto

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Howdy sir,

                          Bought a pair just like those about 20 years ago - as seen affixed to my 40 Four below - from Rocky Halter who referred to him as reverend Kaiser. He has the story on this series of bags made I believe during the 60’s.

                          https://petergz.smugmug.com/Events/A...2001/i-BGHf6Jt
                          Cheerio,
                          Peter
                          #6510
                          1950 Vincent - A Red Rapide Experience

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by PRG View Post
                            Howdy sir,

                            Bought a pair just like those about 20 years ago - as seen affixed to my 40 Four below - from Rocky Halter who referred to him as reverend Kaiser. He has the story on this series of bags made I believe during the 60’s.

                            https://petergz.smugmug.com/Events/A...2001/i-BGHf6Jt
                            Thanks for sharing the pictures and info Peter. Is Rocky Halter on this forum?

                            Kevin

                            .
                            Kevin
                            https://www.youtube.com/c/motodesoto

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Howdy Kevin,

                              Long time members will remember Rocky was/is famously not on this (once, briefly) or any other forum, even when he was president ...computers are for others, especially when you’re retired and chill’n out in Florida. PM me if you need his cell.
                              Cheerio,
                              Peter
                              #6510
                              1950 Vincent - A Red Rapide Experience

                              Comment

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