47 Cheif at bike show - Harley Forum

Catmechanic · #1 09-12-2009, 11:40 PM

Went to a local bike/car show today and saw this Indian. I've seen the bake at a couple other shows but this is the first time I've had the camera & had a chance to talk to the owner.

He says the bike was bought new by his uncle in 1948, he has all the paperwork including the cancelled check his uncle bought it with. The owner aquired it when his uncle passed away and left it to him in the will.

shovelmike · #2 09-13-2009, 04:15 PM

A nice old bike, very fortunate man to inherit such a machine. It looks as though his uncle chose wisely, gave it to a guy who appreciates and respects it.

Catmechanic · #3 09-13-2009, 05:07 PM

Yeah, Russ (the owner) said he's the only one in his family still riding so his uncle figured he's the one who could appreciate it the most. Kinda cool to see the bike still being ridden in original shape and staying in the same family after 61 years. Maybe I should ask Russ if he has any pics of his uncle with the bike, might be a good one for the back page of AIM.

Jim S

Twinpeaks · #4 09-13-2009, 05:25 PM

That top pic speaks volumes as the old Chief is sitting next to a very modern custom.

Buzz Kanter · #5 09-13-2009, 08:07 PM

Good looking 1947 Indian Chief. Sure hope he never messes it up with new paint or chrome on that old motorcycle.

Catmechanic · #6 09-14-2009, 10:27 AM

Buzz,

I don't think you need to worry about him shining it up, when he got the bike out of his uncle's basement the engine was disassembled. He took it to a guy here in E. Iowa that specializes in Indians to be rebuilt, he requested none of the external parts be refinished/bead blasted/cleaned. I think he did the right thing.

By the way, he won first place in the show, second was an ironhead chopper built by the guy that owns the red bike behind the Chief. Guess the judges at this show appreciate a classic!

Jim S

Whopper · #7 09-14-2009, 02:40 PM

I was looking at the pictures and thinking about Buzz's reaction regarding refinishing a classic motorcycle. A friend of mine from NJ was complaining earlier this year about how some guy was flying a WWII vintage TBM (I think), lost control and crashed - a total loss. He was saying it was too valuable a piece of history to have been flying and should be in a museum. If you owned a vintage car, truck, motorcycle or ? do you fix it like factory new, leave it "crusty", ride/drive it or store it in a museum?

Twinpeaks · #8 09-15-2009, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whopper

I was looking at the pictures and thinking about Buzz's reaction regarding refinishing a classic motorcycle. A friend of mine from NJ was complaining earlier this year about how some guy was flying a WWII vintage TBM (I think), lost control and crashed - a total loss. He was saying it was too valuable a piece of history to have been flying and should be in a museum. If you owned a vintage car, truck, motorcycle or ? do you fix it like factory new, leave it "crusty", ride/drive it or store it in a museum?

Do what suits you and ride it the way you see fit. I personally think it's a shame and disrespectful to leave it looking like a washed out rat bike. Just my opinion though.

Buzz Kanter · #9 09-15-2009, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twinpeaks

Do what suits you and ride it the way you see fit. I personally think it's a shame and disrespectful to leave it looking like a washed out rat bike. Just my opinion though.

Well, if that is the original factory paint, chrome and finish it would be a shame to repaint, rechrome and redo it. If you want a fresh looking shiny bike pull off the original parts and install reproductions which you can paint and plate all you want. Also just an opinion.

1haugster1340 · #10 09-15-2009, 09:50 PM

It is only original once.

The bike is worth more the way it is.