This is probably one of the most unique 1946 Indian motorcycles on the planet! Not only is it an awesome vintage bike, but it is outfitted to be a firefighter bike! Named “Ol’ Smokey” it can be found here on eBay with a current bid of nearly $20,000. Located in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, I can’t help but think that this bike is somehow related to the Wheels Through Time Museum located in the same town. This bike would not only be coveted by Indian collectors, but firefighters, first responders, museums, and anyone else that wants a unique conversation piece. Have a look at some of the amazing details of this bike and let us know what you think about it!
Here you can see some of the unique accessories that come along with this cool bike. The traditional sidecar has been replaced with a beautiful custom open-top box that houses vintage firefighting accessories. You can also see hard saddlebags mounted on the rear of the bike itself which also feature red lights. The rear fender also has other storage boxes mounted on top, which makes the whole package very striking. There’s even brass fire hose ends used as the handle grips!
The seller says they spent $4,500 rebuilding the engine four or five years ago. Completed by Ace Motors in Ohio, it was re-installed by the seller’s mechanic and it was driven for a while before being put back into storage. Hopefully, it was stored properly and won’t take much to get running well again.
Here is a good shot of the open-top sidecar box. Plenty of room to store everything a firefighter would need. Tools, boots, helmet, and everything else needed to respond quickly to an emergency.
The only downside to this bike might be the mismatched paint. As you can see the front and rear fenders appear darker than the gas tank and toolboxes. But overall, this is an awesome bike and would be a great addition to anyone’s collection. What do you think about this one?
Where’s the fire,,,Chief? Seeing what these ol’ Injun’s go for, especially in this condition, the logical thing would be to separate it, but there’s a huge interest in vintage fire apparatus ( that isn’t 40 feet long) and should probably be kept together. Be just the thing for that emergency run,,,to Home Depot. Cool find.
There’s never enough of these things. They were good bikes that ended up with the short end of the stick. The sidecar is unique but I would likely detach it and ride the bike as is. Hitch the two up for display only. Might as well have some fun with it.
The Side Car chassis is from an original sidecar which has been modified. I own a ’47 Chief and the agreed value with my ins.co. is insane.
That sure looks like the pictures were taken in the
parking lot of the museum.
I asked one of the guys working there “Where’s your-
Bronson bike?”.He answered – “We don’t have one”.
I asked him – “Where’s your Burt Munro display?” –
“We don’t have one”.
“Where’s all your British bikes?” – “We don’t have any”.
Then I said – “Just what kind of a motorcycle museum IS this?”.
Quite a story you tell! Museum indeed!
It’s a Made In The U.S.A. motorcycle museum. One of the best in the country. Filled with many, many, rare, amazing motorcycles, and cool knowledgeable people.
It’s also a running museum. You ask them about a bike, and they’ll start it up for you. I
I was talking to someone there, about a rare WW2 Harley. XD. Harley was commissioned to make 1000 of them, for desert excursions. He says “come over here, we have three of them” and then wound up showing me around for a half hour. Turned out it was the founders son.
I remember him from a TV show that him and his father were on, they made several episodes. Definitely nice and knowledgeable guy.
I believe they advertise as an American Motorcycle museum
As an owner of a survivor quality 46 matching numbers Chief with it’s original factory matching numbered sidecar, I can say with certainty that this is a novelty creation which by the way is why it is for sale. The wigwam never built anything like this. The box is obviously a recreation, and the firematic accesories are throwaways from your local Volunteer Fire departments!
I’d pull the fireman’s box off the sidecar frame and replace it with a boat nose body. I’d replace the hard bags on the bike with some period leather bags then paint it a royal blue with some cream white highlights. I’d put a windshield on the front and one on the side car. This could be made to be a much nicer sidecar rig than it is now. Seeing this reminds me that it is time to pull my sidecar rig out of winter storage.
As a sidecarist, I would leave it just as it is. It would be great for parades, as long as the clutch was in good condition, I would much rather have an “original” fire service bike than some gussied up restoration. For one thing you don’t have to worry about scratches. I might change out the old fire extinquishers and gear for my up-to-date turnouts, with SBA equipment, and keep the old stuff for display. I might be prejudiced though, having been a member of the Yellowstone Structural Fire Team
SOLD for $21,200.
Indian Motorcycle Museum, here in Spfld, MA is also 1 to visit.
Wish this 1 ear hada 4cyl bike (the Ace 401, 440, Indian4) 1928/42 as the base.
@ 1850cc or so it could get the guys/equip to the fire in quick shape?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Four