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My Indian Chief Restoration

My Indian Chief Restoration

My Indian Chief Restoration

(OP)
I will post some pictures of my 1952 Indian but have yet to figure out how to post pictures. So, how do I do this?

RE: My Indian Chief Restoration

(OP)
Thanks, IR. That seems simple enough. Image 1826 shows the primed sheet metal body pieces mounted to the bike for fit-up trials. That was the work I did over the winter. I got the finish painted pieces back in late May and image 1826 shows some of those pieces on the bike.

RE: My Indian Chief Restoration

Cool!
What's the reason for the angled fins on the cylinder heads? I'm sure there's a story behind (I've never seen an Indian Chief myself, here in Germany it's usually Harleys).

Cheers,

Benta.

RE: My Indian Chief Restoration

(OP)
I don't know--I have never heard the question asked before. Possible to catch some air flow from the side, as the heavy front fender would have blocked air flow from the front.

RE: My Indian Chief Restoration

Back when I was younger I also rebuilt a couple of bikes, not perhaps as historical as your Indian (looking great BTW) but ones that I really liked at the time. The first was a 1964 Honda 305 'Superhawk' that I bought at the end of my Freshman year (1966) in college (I sold my Honda 150 'Dream' to my younger brother) from a guy going into the Peace Corp (it was his way to avoid the draft). During my Sophomore year, since there was nothing else to do during those long cold Michigan UP Winters, I decided to trick-out the engine and customize the outside. I worked for the dorm so I had access to various storerooms, one of which I 'converted' into a sort of 'bike shop' (which I shared with a couple of other riders) where I tore down my bike, repainted the frame, had the trim parts chromed and the engine bored out to 327cc. I also ported & polished the intake and exhaust ports, installed a racing cam and racing clutch. Except for the candy-apple blue paint job and the chrome plating, the exterior looked stock but it didn't drive like a stock 305. It would more than hold it's own with many of the larger 500cc Japanese and 650cc European bikes of the era.



Unfortunately I was forced to sell it in 1967 when I got married as I had no car and my future wife refused to consider the notion of going on our honeymoon on the back of a bike winky smile I eventually sold it it to my newly-minted brother-in-law.

Years later, after I graduated and had been working a couple years, I had a chance to buy a 1968 Honda 305 'Superhawk' that had been parked in some guys basement for about four years while his son was in the Army but then didn't want it after he got out. In this case, I left the engine stock (I didn't really trusted it as it had sat for those four years with no one starting it and even turning over the engine) but I tricked-out the exterior to make it look faster than it really was (I always wished I could have had that modified engine from my first 'Superhawk' in this second one's frame). Anyway, it was fun to drive as it looked great and I managed to drive it to work for a couple of years until, as I had worried, the main bearings failed and so I just scrapped it (this was in late 1975 or so).



John R. Baker, P.E. (ret)
EX-Product 'Evangelist'
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without

RE: My Indian Chief Restoration

(OP)

Here is a shot of all of the painted pieces just received from the painter. I don't have the fenders on the bike yet, as I am waiting on aluminum trim strips. Several vendors make these; the quality and fitment varies, as I have found out.

RE: My Indian Chief Restoration

Nice workmanship swall. You have a very spacious home workshop too - I'm envious!

RE: My Indian Chief Restoration

I love those bikes! How is yours mechanically?

RE: My Indian Chief Restoration

(OP)
It was running when I first got it, but needed work. I ended up rebuilding the engine and transmission. Farmed out the cylinder boring,flywheel/rod/crank pin assembly but did all of the assembly and rebuilt the transmission myself.

RE: My Indian Chief Restoration

Back in the 1970s , I used to mold reproduction fenders and a side car for the Indian motor cycle, for a guy in upstate New York.
I gave up on those when I moved my operation to Atlanta Ga in 1975.
B.E.

You are judged not by what you know, but by what you can do.

RE: My Indian Chief Restoration

(OP)
The repo parts business has certainly changed since then. Back then, fiberglass fenders were the only option, as no one was making metal ones. But now, metal fenders and even gas tanks are available. I bought my bike because it was one of the few I found that had the major sheet metal pieces.

RE: My Indian Chief Restoration

(OP)
I got the fenders on--looks like a motorcycle now.I had quite a bit of delay due to finding repo fender trim strips that were any good.

RE: My Indian Chief Restoration

It's beautiful already.

STF

RE: My Indian Chief Restoration

(OP)
Got the "decals" and Indian script emblems on the tank.
Had trouble initially with the water slide decals I had purchased--the film developed cracks during the 90 second water soak. Plan B was to obtain adhesive backed transfers from another supplier and the installation came out fine. Final touches were applying the chrome plated brass "scrip" insignia. These attach via (3) 2-56 screws. In the run up to painting, lots of effort was expended to keep the tapped holes in the tank sides from plugging with body filler, primer and paint. I don't have the tanks back on yet--I am doing some fitment with the speedometer, ignition switch and wiring harness, all of which run between the tank halves

RE: My Indian Chief Restoration

Looking GOOD.

If you ever get the chance, you should visit the Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggi Valley NC. Hundreds of vehicles, mostly motorcycles, all American. Some are beautifully restored but many are fully original. Some very historic racers, some total basket cases. The curator and staff are very knowledgeable. I spent a lot of time looking closely at a lot of the old board track racers and hill climbers and they could answer any question I had. They start and run at least one vehicle while you are there.

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RE: My Indian Chief Restoration

(OP)
dgallup--yes, Maggi Valley is on my bucket list. Good roads down there and lots of BBQ joints. But, the trick is to find a day when the Leather and Loud Crowd has an alternative destination.

RE: My Indian Chief Restoration

Another well appointed motorcycle museum, if you're ever in the area, is the 'Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame' in Sturgis, South Dakota.



Photo taken in October, 2009.

John R. Baker, P.E. (ret)
EX-Product 'Evangelist'
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without

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