1948 Chief - Possible Matching Numbers - Corbin Speedo - Excellent Condition! on 2040-motos
Indian Chief tech info
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Indian Chief description
1948 Indian Chief
This "could be" a numbers matching 1948 Chief. Engine is 1948. Frame # is difficult to read and may 348XXXX. The rectangular cross frame member indicates it is a later model 1948. But this bike has a Corbin Speedo and rear drive unit.
Some late model 1948 Police bikes used up 1946 era inventory, including a rear drive Corbin unit, eliminating the front wheel hub parts.
This is a very sharp looking Chief with an accent pin stripe around the main tank area that sets it off. Chrome, paint and parts are all well above good to excellent condition. The seat in particular that looks to have been of a Heather's Leather design and new condition. It has the rarer, extremely good condition fender bullet lights tied in to the rear brake light.
- This Motor appears to be in great shape
- No fins appear missing
- Can see some minor gasket leaking from front top cylinder
- The motor turns over freely.
- The cases are "unblemished" meaning there are no visible welds/seams from the cases.
- Mileage may or may not be correct
- Has a Bosch Generator "and" voltage regulator 7V series meaning 6 volt
- Clean TN title
- Serious inquiry only
Bike had not been started since 2006 until my working on it 8/21/2013. I have done the following:
- Linkert carb has been taken apart with good brass float, needle valve, bowl body, etc.
- Drained oil from the crankcase where it had settled. Non magnetic drain plug at this time.
- New Oil added = Valvoline VR1 50 weight 2.5 quarts
- Battery obtained for it
After taking the carb apart on my bench, I pulled out the parts, inspected all and reassembled it. With the battery installed I found an arc at the points, put the carb back in to the Chief, put in fresh gas, kicked it over to ensure gas was in the carb and have gotten it to fire once but when stopping late night, did not have it running at the time of this advertisement.
With other projects going on, I am looking to part with this decent Chief. Ordered parts today from JGE that include a new coil, distributer rebuild kit (condenser, cap, points, plugs) "in the event of" that one of the items might need replacing. Parts should arrive by Labor Day! If my reserve is met, the parts go with. If I start the bike without the parts, they will not be sold with the bike.
A very nice looking complete Chief despite the non-matching numbers...what's in a number anyway?
No warranty expressed, implied or available for this machine.
Not for sale locally but I reserve the right to end the auction early if someone expresses sincere interest in the Four.
Contact me via ebay for additional questions! If additional photos are requested.
On Aug-25-13 at 18:02:17 PDT, seller added the following information:
The 1948 Chief now RUNS as of Sunday afternoon, 8-25-2013. Corrosion inside the rear cylinder distributer cap line prevented decent spark. Idle needs to be adjusted but ran out of time to do so. More to it than this description but can be seen on You Tube at: http://youtu.be/ptM6OhlirU4
On Aug-26-13 at 08:18:13 PDT, seller added the following information:
I recently started using You Tube and Facebook to post clips to include the Indian Motorcycles I have running. Not the best, I may have the link done wrong. This is a second attempt for anyone looking to cut and paste the site: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptM6OhlirU4
If this does not work, provide an email address and I could forward to you the link! Serious only! Provide a name, phone number and email address
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