1947 Indian Chief

What was your intended objective when you started the build?

build a dependable vintage bobber as close to old school as possible with solid color lacquer paint, original running gear, frame, front end, brakes, original style tires and cloth covered wire 6 volt electrical system – no modern upgrades

What motivated you to start your project?

wanted to build my own bobber as old school as possible and with as many original parts as possible.  wanted one that is different and rare – not too many vintage Indian bobbers out there.  one that takes skill to ride – not too many guys can ride a rocker left foot clutch, hand shift and left handlebar grip twist spark advance and dead man’s throttle.

What was the most unique and creative thing you did to the bike?

Rear fender set up.  I modified a swap meet 30’s Ford spare tire cover for the rear fender which is an old school bobber trick.  It already had a nice center rib and slight turn up flare at the end.  Tail light is a repop vintage Ford pickup item.  I drilled a hole in the bottom of the tail light and expoxied clear plastic over the hole for the license plate light.  doesn’t illuminate the plate too well at night, but it meets the definition of a license plate light!  Rear fender brackets are a modified 67 Triumph front fender “stay”.

What are you most proud of?

The clean, old school look and attention to detail.  With the exception of snipping the 6″ front fork extension, I did all the mechanical, tins and paint work myself.

What do other people say about your motorcycle?

people like it because it’s different, old school and good looking.  many appreciate the fact that it’s a vintage Indian which you don’t see very often.  hardly anyone has ever seen a vintage Indian bobber.  It took Best of Show at the first motorcycle show I entered.

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Submitted by: Mark H

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Specifics

Make, Model & Year: 1947 Indian Chief
Fondly known as: bob
Time spent: about 200 hours or so
Motorcycle cost: vintage indian – not cheap
Money spent: about $2500
Engine: original 1947 Indian 74 cubic inch flathead engine.
Intake: original Linkert updraft carburetor
Exhaust: reproduction 1947 Indian pipe and muffler. exhaust system that was on the bike when I bought it was too hacked up to use. Fishtail is not stock, but I love fishtails and had to put one on this bike. At idle, it sounds part vintage V-twin and part biplane.
Transmission: original 3 speed non-synchronized right hand shift with left foot “dead man” rocker clutch – no springs. push your toe down to disengage and heel down to engage clutch think about that for a minute.
Frame: stock 1947 Indian
Suspension: original plunger rear suspension – no swing arm, axel moves up and down via coil spring cans. original 1947 Indian girder front end completely rebuilt and tuned.
Wheels, tires and brakes: original Indian 16″ rear wheel with Firestone 16 X 5 tube tire. front wheel is 19″ Triumph rim laced to original 1947 Indian hub with Firestone 16 X 4 tube tire. Completely rebuilt original 1947 Indian drum brakes – they do the job, but don’t tailgate!
Finish – Paint: I did all painting and metal work; tins, frame, front end – lacquer as well as metal polishing myself. I kept a low luster polish on the metal to match how it things looked back in the day.
Accessories: only accessory is the repop 40’s Indian handle bar cross brace. I splurged on that because I think it just looks real cool and helps make the bike what it is.

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