Now first is a 1918 PowerPlus photo'd by Sergio Scalerandi in Buenos Aires Argentina in Y2K at the Autoclasica display. Sergio travelled 700 km. from Cordoba to attend this show and shine, but we all benefit. To the right is a magazine or newspaper ad from 1936 for a 4 cylinder model.

Above left is a 1940 (approx.) Indian Four wearing Harley K bags. I shot this about 1995 North East of Toronto. Below is a restoration done for Dave Schultz by Krumm's of Austin Texas, highly respected for the quality of their work. In addition to rebuilding Fours like this 1938, Terry and his Dad do all Indian models and are especially known for their hopped-up Chiefs stroked to 84 CID (1370 cc) featuring Krumm cams.

Still on the Fours, below is a beautiful 1939 Four, (orange and yellow) for sale on Ebay in late Nov. 2008, followed by a gorgeous restored red and white 1941 Four also from E-Bay in fall 2008, then a left side view of a dark red and cream 1942 Four (last year made) and a close up of the engine from the left side, then a 1930 in black. Note that the chroming of the front end on the 1939 and 1941 looks great but the 1942 and 1930 bikes further down are more correct with the stock black painted front end. Here is a restoration tip: If chrome is not heat treated properly it becomes brittle and will flake off when the spring metal is stretched or compressed, so do not simply take springs or other flexing parts to a plater unless you are satisfied they know how to do this properly.

Seen on E-Bay in April 2009 is a striking 1941 Four with 1950-53 front end originally done by Starklite with the rainbow paint scheme. The new front end required moving the horn to a new location (from middle of forks facing ahead to right rear of motorcycle, where it fits seemlessly). The yellow kicker pedal is not stock but fits in very nicely with the paint scheme. Ditto the blue hand grips fit in perfectly. Only other non-stock or non-period-accessory item I can spot is extra leather flaps and studs on solo seat and an external spin-on disposable oil filter, always a good addition to any old motorcycle as back then they had crude internal screens.

Next is an unrestored 1929 Chief, then an unrestored 1939 Sport Scout, then an unrestored 1949 Arrow 220 cc. single, then an unrestored 1950 Chief for sale at Starklite Cycles in California. Compare these to restored Indians to appreciate how much effort. time and money goes into a good restoration.

Next is a closeup of a 1937 Chief restored by well respected restorer Jeff Grigsby. To see more of his stable visit http://www.indianmotorworks.com He always has some excellent restored Indians for sale.

Next is a 1937 and a 1950 Chief, done for Dave Schultz by Krumm's. Note how the factory blimped out the styling during the forties and fiftes. (Cars followed the same trend.) The 1950 Chief on the right has a custom 2 into 2 exhaust, left pipe shown is from rear cylinder, crosses over under frame, under gearbox. Not only dresses up the somewhat lumpy left side of a '50's Chief but allows rear cylinder to breathe better, equalizes length of pipe for both cylinders and should add an extra horsepower or three. The 1950 is hopped up and is very fast and loud, worth $35,000. See more of Dave's bikes at www.krummsindian.com/Photos.htm

Next is a dark blue 1925 Henderson 1300 c.c. with sidecar owned by the Poole family of Hamilton Ontario Canada, photo'd in Y2K. The purpose and operation of the two levers was explained to me but I have since forgotten.:

Next is a lovely 1941 Chief owned by Greg of Clinton, Ontario canada. (The cane is for his leg.)

At the Paris rally, Greg's buddy Donald rode his red '40 Chief (below left) briskly around the ace track with the unsprung rear rear bouncing. Meanwhile in the parking lot were this matching pair of late 1930's Chiefs.

Next are two shots of a superbly restored 1945 rare "essential use" Chief: recently for sale on E-Bay (during the war metal and rubber and skilled factory labor were in high demand so new civilian motorcycles were only allowed to be sold for essential uses such as police),

Below is a 1947 Chief at the Autoclasica display in Buenos Aires in Y2K courtesy of Sergio Scalerandi, and next to it is a Chief of the same era that is regularly riden to the Paris rally in Canada:

Having seen all these photos of unrestored and restored 1946-48 Chiefs, the magazine ad below from 1946 shows what a properly restored factory stock 1946 Chief should look like. (Note there is hardly any chrome although chrome rims etc. were available as an option. Most Chiefs we see nowadays are over-restored):

Below is a restored 1946 Chief (owned by Rocky's in the USA) that looks exactly like the one in the ad, except for some fringe on the seat, 16" instead of 18" wheel rims, and the pillion pad.

Following are a black 1952 Chief and an orange 1953 which were for sale on Ebay in April 2009, both unusually good restorations even in this age of very high standards. Note the orange one has custom dual exhausts which really look nice. Both have the "bench seat" which came out in 1952 I believe. Police models still kept the pogo seat as they were solo seats. The black one has the seat sloping down too far at the back; it should be like the orange one parallel to the ground and an inch above the rear carrier, but probably the owner liked it the way he installed it. Likewise if we act like a judge at a concourse and get picky, the orange one has slightly high rise handlebars which were probably not stock. As the expression goes "Hey, its my bike. If you really want to change it buy it from me and suit yourself."

Next are a couple of views of a nicely restored (and not over-restored) 1940 police Dispatch Tow trike:


To finish this page is a fire dept. Dispatch Tow, also authentic and not over-restored with chrome etc.

If anyone recognizes their bike in this site please let me know so I can put your name in as owner. Also feel free to send me photos of your Indians so I can add them to the site. If I got anything wrong in here, Email me the correction: author and web designer.

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS SENT PHOTOS OF THEIR INDIANS AND COMPLIMENTARY EMAILS (& CORRECTIONS & INFO).

This site is not the official site of the makers of the current lines of Indian motorcycles, INDIAN MOTORCYCLE in Kings Mountain, North Carolina (V-twin) and INDIAN MOTORCYCLE LTD. of Edinburgh, Scotland (4 cylinder)