indian004

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.

indian001

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.

indian002

 

indian003

 

a

 

b

 

c

 

170

 

d

After hours of hard labor, the Indian and all of the pieces we could find are loaded onto the trailer bound for Alhambra.

indian006

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.

indian007

 

indian008

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.

indian009

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.

indian010

From the rear, one can see the yellow tag with Dad’s name on it.

indian011

The wheels before rebuild.

indian012

 

indian013

Wheels are disassembled as rebuilding begins.

indian014

Spokes are ready for replating.

indian015

After cleaning the wheel, a 1946 year of manufacture can be seen.

indian016

Kelsey Hayes wheel logo, made in USA.

indian017

Wheel after application of self-etching primer.

indian018

The hubs are cured and baked in a 1940s Wedgewood oven at 220° Fahrenheit.

indian019

Wheels painted with Rust-Oleum, using acetone and a hardener.

indian020

Rear brake drum, turned.

indian021

After cadmium plating, old spokes are reinserted into the newly painted wheel.

indian022

Denis’ friend, John, truing the wheel.

indian023

Rebuilt wheels with new tires installed.

indian024

Stripped down frame ready to go to Kiwi Indian in Riverside to be straightened.

indian025

After repairs, with old tanks attached.

indian026

Parts in epoxy primer.

indian027

Black finish coat on frame.

indian029

Rear spring installation is underway.

indian030

Rear springs and wheel installed.

indian031

Back on its feet.

indian032

 

indian034

The engine before disassembly.

indian035

Broken baffle plates.

indian036

Parts laid out before engine reassembly.

indian037

Primary drive with new Kiwi upgrade.

indian038

Motor and transmission cases.

indian039

Timing the camshaft.

indian040

Preparing to install the cylinder.

indian041

New piston and valves.

indian042

New cylinder head is ready to install..

indian043

Transmission.

indian044

Crankcase and crankshaft refurbishment begins.

indian045

Crankcases cleaned.

indian046

Old crank disassembled.

indian048

Crank rods.

indian049

Work in progress.

Crankshaftapart-

Crankshaft apart.

settingtorque

Setting torque on crank pin.

crankshafttrued

Crankshaft being trued on lathe.

indian051

Carburetor before rebuild.

indian052

 

indian053

Measuring tools with rebuilt carburetor at upper left.

indian054

Carburetor installed.

indian055

New sheet metal front fender.

indian056

 

indian057

New reproduction tanks.

indian058

New sheet metal fenders and tanks in place.

indian059

Protecting the frame prior to engine installation.

indian060

Engine installed for the first time.

indian061

Upgrade to Cycle Electric Alternator.

indian062

 

indian063

 

indian064

 

indian065

Seat before redo.

indian066

New leather installed onto seat.

indian067

Leather seat embossed with Indian head logo made in South Carolina.

indian068

1944 to 1946 Indian tank badge.

indian069

Bike restoration as of January 18, 2019.

indian070

 

indian071

 

indian072

 

indian073

“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

indian074

“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.

update1 update2

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.

If the video above fails to play on the page,
follow this link to view a YouTube version.

Rick Chew ppoa ride