My 1930 Indian Four - Harley Forum

Buzz Kanter · #1 04-27-2008, 06:42 PM

I bought a nice looking 1930 Indian Four late last fall and got to ride it only once before it got too cold. Ran well for the short ride and then put it away for the season.

One warm winter day I fired it up and headed out for a winter ride. I didn't get far before it started to act up, run poorly and seem to lose power. I limped it home and was sure I'd overheated it. I did see exhaust puffs coming from one the cylinders at the exhaust manifold.

When I looked closer I saw some of the gasket was missing between the head and manifold. I finally had the time to remove the exhaust and manifold today and here is a photo of how it looks with no exhaust.

When I removed the manifold three of the four gaskets crumpled in my hands and fell apart. I also saw black soot on three of the four holes at the manifold. so I expect the exhaust had been leaking for a while. Time to get a new set of gaskets and see how much better the bike will run.

Wish me luck.

GrayRider · #2 04-27-2008, 07:04 PM

Cool! When I was a young Harley rider, a couple of oldtimers that I worked with, would tell me stories of their days on Indians.

They preferred them over Harleys.

HarleyCruiser · #3 04-28-2008, 04:41 PM

[QUOTE=Buzz Kanter; Time to get a new set of gaskets and see how much better the bike will run.

Wish me luck.[/QUOTE]
Buzz do they still make gaskets for the four? or do you have to fabricate some yourself?
I doubt the ezaust gaskets are the running problem but will make it sound better, is it sucking air in the intake?
I think the four is the coolest next to the early knuckels, not real practical but cool.

Buzz Kanter · #4 04-28-2008, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarleyCruiser

Buzz do they still make gaskets for the four? or do you have to fabricate some yourself?
I doubt the ezaust gaskets are the running problem but will make it sound better, is it sucking air in the intake?
I think the four is the coolest next to the early knuckels, not real practical but cool.

Yes, I am told a number of people offer these gaskets. I will run down the problem by solving one thing at a time - sort of an elimination process.

Thanks, yes they are cool, but why do you think the early Indian Fours are not practical? I'd say they are as practical as any other older bike. Now it's time to test my theory

hdnt1550 · #5 04-28-2008, 06:27 PM

Buzz you have to stop now your making me jelouse of your ever growing collection...are you going to open your own museum?

Buzz Kanter · #6 04-28-2008, 06:56 PM

Don't mean to make anyone jealous. And my "growing" collection gets bigger and smaller over time. I have been very fortunate to have owned some really great machines. But I can't keep them all. So I buy what I like when I can (never enough time, money or garage space) and sell when I need to.

In the last year I sold a few bikes and bought a few others. But I've never really considered it a collection as much as a bunch of bikes that I happen to own at any given time.

If you like the old bikes or want to learn more about them, check out our classic American iron forum at www.caimag.com. It's fun and free.

EZE RIDER · #7 04-28-2008, 07:36 PM

I always loved the older bikes but never owned one. Reading about and seeing Buzz's collection is really getting me to the point of maybe jumping in.

I think I might listen and learn a little bit more first. The only thing I know for sure is I like them!

HarleyCruiser · #8 04-29-2008, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzz Kanter

Thanks, yes they are cool, but why do you think the early Indian Fours are not practical? I'd say they are as practical as any other older bike. Now it's time to test my theory

Buzz let me rephrase that, “not practical” for a one bike guy, like me.
I always thought it would be great having a collection of bikes so when I bought my 01 fat, I kept my Sportster.
Not near as romantic as I imagined. More like juggling cats, or worse women.
Never can remember which one is going up, coming down. Which one is de-clawed or not.
Which one you just replaced the bakes or changed the oil. I spent more time working on the bike that I did not ride than ridding it.
I have been scratched more than once.
And forget a suicide clutch, I am still stomping the shifter looking for the brake that was on the wrong side from a bike thirty years ago.
I guess I am one of those guys that gets attached to things, tooth brushes women and bikes. Not necessary in that order.
Although I envy you, for me it is more practical to have a bike that is convertible to my needs.
This bike I plan on riding for forty years and then it will be a old “not practical” classic.

BaggerDad · #9 04-29-2008, 09:59 PM

Can't see all of the bike, but what I can see tells me it is one beautiful machine.

Good luck and how about more photos when you get it back together?

47knuck · #10 05-05-2008, 08:10 PM

Yes, more photos please.