In 1922, Indian introduced the Chief as the largest and most powerful motorcycle in the lineup. Yet it wasn’t until Indian designer Charles Franklin added full fenders to the motorcycle’s lanky frame that it became a cultural icon. The Chief soldiered on with an archaic engine and an increasingly obsolete frame until the company floundered in 1953. Decades later, these gorgeous motorcycles are still treated as works of art and every surviving Indian Chief is treasured. Even somewhat rough examples like this 1947 Indian Chief command both respect and large asking prices. Would you be willing to spend the money needed to both purchase and restore to perfection a motorcycle like this just to have such a beautiful design resting in your garage? Or would you get it back on the road to preserve its patina?
History is filled with forgotten manufacturers of cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Indian would also be a forgotten name in American motorcycle history if it were not for the Chief. The brand was resurrected multiple times after the original company’s 1953 demise. Many of those attempts at returning Indian to the marketplace relied on a model that replicated the Chief’s amazing good looks. These attempts all failed until the name was acquired by Polaris Industries in 2011. While the company has done a great job diversifying the product line and offering innovative motorcycles in many different classes, you can still purchase full-fendered models that bear a passing resemblance to the original Chief.
If your heart desires an original version of this amazing design, then this 1947 Indian Chief may be the motorcycle for you. The pictures reveal a rather ratty but complete postwar Chief. The seller tells us that a lot of work has been done on the motorcycle. The effort was put into the brakes, cables, exhaust, wheels, tires, and a few other areas. Sadly we are not told any details as to what work was done and/or what parts were replaced. There are receipts and the owner states a willingness to discuss the motorcycle on the phone.
Before you get the idea that you can just jump on this Chief and ride home, we are told by the seller that it will still need some engine work and the electrical system will need to be gone through as well. The seller also discusses the concept of “patina” as it relates to this motorcycle. Their belief in the marketability of a patinaed Chief is taken to a whole ‘nother level in the statement that “Any new bolts installed had rust particle glued to them to maintain the look.”
While we all recognize that preserving patina is popular and has its merits, gluing rust chunks to fresh bolts seems to break new ground. Looking at the motorcycle we see that many items would benefit from replacement for aesthetic reasons. There is also the question of safety in a few areas. Indian Chiefs of this vintage are capable of 85 MPH from the factory. It is also a motorcycle with a control layout that would be challenging for modern motorcyclists until they get some experience riding it. One would think that having a Chief in good condition would outweigh any benefits patina brought to the table. It would also seem a shame to not bring such a gorgeous motorcycle back to showroom condition, especially considering how brilliant the color options were. What would you do with this motorcycle? Please leave your thoughts in the comments.
If you are looking for a worthwhile project, then this 1947 Indian Chief for sale on Facebook Marketplace in Willis, Texas may be worthy of your consideration. This legendary Indian is being sold on a bill of sale with no title available and can be yours for $18,000. The seller is open to offers and is willing to discuss the motorcycle in more detail with prospective buyers. Thanks to T.J. for another amazing find!
Beyond cool and NOT a Harley. I’m totally on the fence as to whether I would restore it, or just hop on it and terrorize the rich sector. Setting off car alarms of Audis and the like is FUN!
“Any new bolts installed had rust particle glued to them to maintain the look.” There kidding right ?
No… new shiny bolt heads would stick out like a sore thumb on something like this and literally draw attencion away from the bike itself and onto the new hardware..
Im going to guess that instead of just ordering rust collored paint like the model makers use they actually sanded some rust then covered the bolt head with super glue and dusted the rust on it
I painted the new fasteners with brown paint on one of my projects. It really helps to mask the fact that they’re new.
My friend just got done restoring his ’46 Chief, again. Seeing these bikes in all their formal glory is the way to go. If I had the money….
I restored my 73 Electraglide about 20 years ago, took it to a couple of shows ( Best in class 3 times ) until someone wanted it more than me. They broke in one night stole the bike, when they found out it was traceable, they scraped the paint off and cut the frame into peices. I Was lucky to recover the motor and Tranny, but they are only original once !
They used to hang horse thieves. Maybe it’s time they brought the old penalties back…
You’re right about the controls being different than on modern bikes. Along with the foot clutch this one looks to be right hand shifter, that would make it a left hand throttle. The right grip might control the spark advance and that right lever the front brake. This one looks like a worthy project, if it is original. I had the chance a few years back to buy a beautiful restored 40’s Chief for only $14,000. But it was a mix mash of parts from several different years. I passed because I would have ended up sleeping with it, if know what I mean.
How well do old bikes stop that don’t have disc brakes?
Not very well.
You learn very quickly to plan your stops a good bit further ahead, and you pray that the old lady in the station wagon sees you coming and doesn’t pull out in front of you.
Not very well.
Whenever I see these old Indians or Harleys up for sale, especially the rough, unrestored ones, I wonder how viable, how intact, their frames are.
“What do you say, Chief”? You know, it’s almost “bizarro world” looking at this and any modern bike. Naturally, like the price of eggs, I couldn’t care less how expensive they get, I don’t buy them anyways. Same here, you want to dabble in this stuff, pay the person, but for rational thinking people, this is just another in the fleecing of buyers money, for something they dragged out of a barn, with no intention of embracing such a find, just make the cash. Just shows to go ya’, what an impact Hollywood( American Pickers, to be exact) can have on a market. Can anyone tell me what the 5 figure attraction is here?
I was waiting for the American Pickers whine. They pick this stuff because it HAS value. It doesn’t have value because they picked it.
There is a diminishing supply being chased by dollars of declining value. The price in dollars has to increase.
Very cool piece of history. I don’t know if it’s priced well or not. But I can still enjoy looking at the pics and reading about it. Nice write up.
While @#$@#$ Polaris did an OK reviving the Indian, they abandoned their own line of amazing bikes that they started, Victory, breaking the hearts of Victory owners everywhere.
Sorry about that language.
Have a Victory Vision and a 1941 Indian.
That was a strange business decision, for sure. I had an ’03 TC. Great bike with an incredible sound with the performance pipes.
Question: When does ‘patina’ become rust?
I wish I could just send the truck and pick this thing up. If it came my way I would restore it to Rider Quality and I would RIDE it. Patina is rust and once again I say that Patina is an old Indian word for Lazy Bodyman…
What you gonna do with it with NO TITLE?
I would simply register it. I live in Connecticut. The CT DMV doesn’t even want to see a title for a vehicle over 20 years old. Bill of sale only
I’ve known so many that have put big money into restoring trucks n cars yet they leave the stupid patina on it, basically clear coating rust, makes no sense
It’s original only once, leave the patina.