On a bright sunny day during 2014 Denis, Tom, and Cathy came to Tehachapi to pick up the 1946 Indian Chief out of the barn. They stopped at the Apple Shed in town for breakfast before driving to the knoll.
Upon opening the barn doors, they encountered a jumble of motorcycles, spare parts, farm implements, broken chairs, and miscellaneous junk. Along with the Indian there were two Harley XAs and many Model A Ford pieces.
After hours of hard labor, the Indian and all of the pieces we could find are loaded onto the trailer bound for Alhambra.
Back in Alhambra the bike is dusted off and it is obvious how much work is needed to turn it into a beautifully restored motorcycle.
The Indian Chief on its way to the California Highway Patrol to verify its VINs. The classy ride is a 1956 Ford F-100 pickup that Denis has owned since 1973.
Back in the shop, Denis assembled all the pieces that he dug out of the barn to determine what was there, and what he would need to obtain.
From the rear, one can see the yellow tag with Dad’s name on it.
The wheels before rebuild.
Wheels are disassembled as rebuilding begins.
Spokes are ready for replating.
After cleaning the wheel, a 1946 year of manufacture can be seen.
Kelsey Hayes wheel logo, made in USA.
Wheel after application of self-etching primer.
The hubs are cured and baked in a 1940s Wedgewood oven at 220° Fahrenheit.
Wheels painted with Rust-Oleum, using acetone and a hardener.
Rear brake drum, turned.
After cadmium plating, old spokes are reinserted into the newly painted wheel.
Denis’ friend, John, truing the wheel.
Rebuilt wheels with new tires installed.
Stripped down frame ready to go to Kiwi Indian in Riverside to be straightened.
After repairs, with old tanks attached.
Parts in epoxy primer.
Black finish coat on frame.
Rear spring installation is underway.
Rear springs and wheel installed.
Back on its feet.
The engine before disassembly.
Broken baffle plates.
Parts laid out before engine reassembly.
Primary drive with new Kiwi upgrade.
Motor and transmission cases.
Timing the camshaft.
Preparing to install the cylinder.
New piston and valves.
New cylinder head is ready to install..
Transmission.
Crankcase and crankshaft refurbishment begins.
Crankcases cleaned.
Old crank disassembled.
Crank rods.
Work in progress.
Crankshaft apart.
Setting torque on crank pin.
Crankshaft being trued on lathe.
Carburetor before rebuild.
Measuring tools with rebuilt carburetor at upper left.
Carburetor installed.
New sheet metal front fender.
New reproduction tanks.
New sheet metal fenders and tanks in place.
Protecting the frame prior to engine installation.
Engine installed for the first time.
Upgrade to Cycle Electric Alternator.
Seat before redo.
New leather installed onto seat.
Leather seat embossed with Indian head logo made in South Carolina.
1944 to 1946 Indian tank badge.
Bike restoration as of January 18, 2019.
“This is paying respect to your dad with the blue reflectors—police bikes use blue running lights. The name Ed Kretz is really a big name in the Indian Motorcycle world. They called him ‘Ironman Kretz.’ He won a lot of races. I used to work for him and his son, Eddy.” —Denis
“I wear this old police jacket for your dad. It belonged to Dick Elliot, who worked for the LAPD in 1977. My friend Don Bontempo gave it to me. He was also an LAPD cop during the 1970s.” —Denis
AUGUST 2019 UPDATE: The weekend of the Tehachapi Mountain Festival, Denis rode the Chief back to Tehachapi to visit the barn where he discovered it. Thanks, Denis! Great to see you again.
Watch Denis fire up the Indian Chief for the first time following its restoration. Thanks to Rick Chew for making the YouTube video. Length is four minutes.
