1946 Indian Chief - How to Start and Ride an Antique Motorcycle

[@garysheren9353]

My father enjoyed this bike ,he tell me how much better they were then the harly were . I will always remember the day we jumped in his car and drove down to Jackson mich about 75 miles away. He said he wanted see how his riding buddies was sick and his wife had passed not long ago . His friend invited us in my dad introduce me they talked for awhile ,then my dad asked if he would show me his bike . In this garage was 8 chiefs other other side was scouts and harlys ,with a huge logging chain going right through the fram all them bikes .these were all original nothing new he managed a Indian dealership. My dad asked if he still rode he said just his BMW ,he could,nt kick over the other anymore .I will never forget that day

[@pauljanisch2825]

Why did I only discover this now. This is what every vintage bike channel needs. Thank you

[@RidgeRoamer]

Thank you! I hope you enjoy many of my videos. Ride 'em, don't hide 'em!

[@ronrobertson59]

Just bought a 1948 chief going to Ohio to pick it up this week to haul it back to Alabama to start my year long restoration on it.

[@JamesMiller-q9w]

Absolutely precious Video to an Old Time Biker. Had my share of Pans, Shovels, Evo's but never an Indian. Always wanted a 47 Chief, my birth year. Maybe next to a Crocker I believe the Chief to be the Diamond of Motorcycles. So much enjoyed taking a start up and ride with you. WOW.

[@Escapetosea]

My dad and my uncle are finalizing ready for me to my granddads 48 in my garage and get her running again it was grandpas pride and joy , and hasn’t been touched since he died in 1980. Thanks for sharing yours.

[@chrishunter5041]

Beautiful bike "and not a garage Queen" on the road were she belongs👍 sounds fantastic.

[@MarioLT4]

The lines in that front fender it's a work of art on two wheels

[@bobtheblindbedroomguitaris8742]

00 thank you man for this really cool video very interesting. In the early the mid 80s a friend of mine had a 48 knucklehead and he let me ride it explained it to me I wrote it into a small tree and that's somebody who had a whole shitload of miles behind them on motorcycles lol. And you would think you would have taken my head off but it was really cool about it there was no real damage anyway you know I started to go blind in the late '80s and had to stop riding and driving by the mid-90s what a huge loss I can't tell you that loss and I didn't look at another motorcycle even though I still have some sight again or took any interest of motorcycles until last year. A good friend of mine was always talking about getting a bike he had never rode before he ends up buying a 99 road king harley. And the he was you know having the usual mishaps a new ride that has a multiplied tenfold by the fact that he bought like one of the heaviest bikes you could buy or at least close to it in that category right guys? so I started looking online for videos for him that might help him safety wise and then all of a sudden I'm immersing myself into anything motorcycle online and a lot on KZbin like this video here thank you. All the dead motorcycle companies that have come back to technology leap from 1995 till now with motorcycles it just I still can't wrap my head around it what I give to be able to get on one. But anyway yeah you know this retarding in advancing the ignition the foot clutch suicide is all those things you know to imagine you know that's how your average motorcycle was ridden and operated and thank says it to you my friend you enlightened us a lot about that. I was wondering when you said you changed everything over to 12 volt if you had put them on an ignition system on it and I was glad to hear that you didn't. Yes synchronized gears who would have thought right lol. Anyway you know again when I immerse myself back at the motorcycle land the first I don't know the first few videos and stuff listening to it for TS to my eyes and I'm not sad to admit that you know it's still a deep loss I lived and breathed motorcycles are basically anything that had an engine on it LOL my first ride was a roadster mini bike then I moved on to a 1966 Yamaha ym1305 twin 2-stroke which is basically a clone of the 305 Honda and this is all in the early to mid 70s then I went on to a 1975 Suzuki gt550 just had to be about 77 I was so close to buying the water buffalo it's older brother but going from a 305 Yamaha it just seems like way too much for me afterwards I have to get used to riding and having a few thousand miles under my belt I could kick myself but that's 550 took me everywhere took me to the bike week at the Laconia in New Hampshire it took me on I don't know at least a hundred round trips from Providence Rhode Island to New York City and back all the back roads I can find one of my most the enjoyable rides with motorcycle was just coming out whenever I got out and out and starting to bike up choosing a direction and just going and I always took my trustee mid-60s Honeywell Pentax camera with me 35 mm and yeah just pick a road and see where it took me you know do I turn right or left n yeah and then from the gt550 I went up to a Yamaha 71 XS650 the handling and the performance was nothing like the 550 triple two stroke because the Suzuki gt550 was a triple two stroke with the three cylinders going into four mufflers but you know at the time it got me around when I needed it I was living in New York City at the time then an 82 my uncle gifted me with a basically brand new Harley-Davidson Sturgis then after that with that was stolen you got to love New York City I bought a 8 months old Honda cb57 a Honda CB750 custom and that ended up taking out to California Berkeley and then San Francisco and I read that I wrote that until that enough money to buy basically a basket case and put together another Harley low rider that was a 79 frame 71 if I remember a 72 shovelhead that bike was done up really really sick it was an amazing bike and that was my last ride so I thank you I'm sorry if anyone's reading this how long this comment is I have a real bad addiction it's cool commenting and a lot of my comments are not comments they're short novellas sometimes novellas and even ethics now and then I guess this goes in the category of a short novel but hey nobody asked to read it right so anyway everybody out there rides safe have fun for me sincerely bought the blind bedroom guitars

[@ufochannel01]

runs beautifully! they are really great old bikes im glad to see it! my grandpa used to take my mom to school on a 48 she sat on the fender side saddle.

[@jtnelson89]

My uncle rode a 1947 Chief across the country in March of 1956, from New Haven, Connecticut to Idaho, and he kept the Chief until 1974, when he sold it for $1000. He says it was the most interesting motorcycle that he ever had.

[@bluzzjazz]

This makes my 2016 look like cake to drive! I do love the old stuff though; bikes, guitars, cars etc. True craftsmanship is a lost art.

[@greenmarine5]

Wow, awesome video my father had one of these when he was young. He use to say No Harley could even come close to keeping up with me. R.I.P Dad

[@deltabluesdavidraye]

Well Harley had a better top speed.But trying to hold it there if it wasn't a 61 c.i. model and it would fall apart.That Indian would hold 80 mph.And do it for distance smoothly.

[@Expo2K314]

Thank you for this. Never understood the appeal of old Indians but now I understand and adore all the quirks. Classic Americana and what a gem!

[@gbpf57]

Getting very close to driving my 1948 after 60 years resting in boxes. I've had it running once so far. Really looking forward to it!

[@Cj-yw8cs]

Just got my 62' aermacchi h.d. riding after 30 yrs in boxes👍

[@tjaco2583]

Had Chiefs since 73 love this video need to get mine runnin

[@zoom7533]

I own 1992 Harley Fat Boy, but this Chief was always my big love. Thanks for this video, very interesting. Greetings from Croatia!

[@jeffbarr6816]

These late 40s Indians are great bikes, I have an original 48 Chief, sea foam blue I use the same starting procedure but use three priming kicks for a cold start, it always starts first ignition kit unless I have done something wrong with the procedure. A interesting video, well done.

[@RidgeRoamer]

Awesome! Thank you

[@benfirst1987]

What type of fuel are you using? I have the same Indian that you have same color too. It seems like it gets really hot and the exhaust turns really blue so that's why I'm asking

[@reallysanta7653]

Years ago I had a customer who owned a classic motorcycle restoration shop. When he would drop off his van for service/repair at my shop there was always something interesting loaded in the back so he could get back to his place, and yes, I would always manage to talk my way into taking a test spin on whatever he brought. The cream of the crop was a non restored but 100% original Indian four cylinder from the 1940's. Fantastic riding old machine. This video brought back a lot of very pleasant memories. Thanks and enjoy the ride!!

[@RidgeRoamer]

Awesome! The four cylinders are incredible machines

[@robertscheinost179]

Yep, that's the next bike on my "hit list" to add to my collection. The prices are becoming reasonable again, somewhere around 80 K for a nice one, around 100 K for a restored In line-4. The best years are the ones made in the "closed fender" era. 1940-42. A 1942 Indian In-line 4 is a rare beast indeed and considered the Cadillac of motorcycles.

[@philipcaseyacalloway204]

Thank you for keeping old bikes used. It would make me sick to spend more money and time to stare at something meant to be on the road. Neat bike keep up the good work, shiny side up.

[@nastyaninetails5599]

Great video. Love that you show how it's operated. Even more so that you help preserve it as a running bike.

[@1989woodyj]

Thank you for the video! I have 1946 Chief with the original 6volt system. I hope to get a battery and have here running in a couple of weeks. Thank you for the details on how you start yours.

[@RidgeRoamer]

Awesome! Enjoy every step of the process.

[@pmettrup]

Put LED bulbs in the war bonnet and taillight, then you don't need 12 V

[@aarondalton2223]

Better looking than restored, well done Sir.

[@northerniltree]

My wife got me my first motorsickle. She put a chain saw engine on an old scythe. Great fun.

[@perzuki-9218]

I enjoyed watching you care for and use this wonderful old bike. Well done. Thank you.

[@potrzebieneuman4702]

I rode modern motorcycles for 30 years and lthough I dislike Harleys I could actually see myself riding one of these Indians, very interesting instructional video, thanks.

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

The headlight was moved to the top of the fender because in motorcycle school so many of them got dropped they always broke the headlight.

[@imtweetydiva29]

What a beautiful machine. My father owned Harleys and Indians. He had a 1950's Indian. It was so sweet! Thanks for sharing. 🙂👍

[@libraeotequever3pointoh95]

The bicycle pedal on the kick-starter is priceless. :-D

[@wessonsmith1373]

Excellent video. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and your bike with us.

[@aladinfox4098]

Great video, respect for being able to remember the correct starting sequence every time ! Modern bikes are great but the connection between rider and machine can often feel distant compared with these old machines. Not the kind of vehicle to use to rob banks with though unless somebody is standing by keeping it warmed up 😄.

[@robertscheinost179]

The most iconic motorcycle ever made is a closed fender Indian Chief. My uncle worked at the factory pre and post war. I live about 60 miles from the factory these days. My 1950 Indian Chief is the same color. I'm surprised these bikes are so inexpensive even though they cost good money today, I considered them to be underpriced. In the mid 1960's a good looking, good running Chief could be had for $75. Nothing on two wheels sounds as good as an Indian Chief. Don't put these bikes on display, they need to be ridden. It's a great way to put a smile on anybody's face!

[@Priam42]

Incredible machine. Thanks for sharing!

[@stevehunt9703]

Amazing! Thank you so much for sharing. I have a 2016 Vintage but they are not the same.

[@patmays7344]

What A Beast! Spectacular! Absolutely stunning Monster! You ⭐️lucky ⭐️Man having that bike! I’m so Impressed! 🏍️🏍️🏍️🏍️🏍️❤️

[@tsloe1717]

beautiful old lady, thank you for posting

[@alelectric2767]

Live these types of bike. Aka riden and still riding.

[@beatstreet33]

I’m soon to inherit a 1948 Chief. Thanks for this video

[@441rider]

There is a 30's Hindee electric start bike at Trev Deeley Vancouver BC.

[@boomerzman6148]

Very nice find! Sounds great for its age "The Real McCoy" A rare treasure that any biker or wrench even an old one would appreciate! Thanks for sharing such a vintage collectable in "true form"!!! HDOG

[@michaelschmitzerle2587]

They were beautiful then and are even more beautiful now!

[@garydaley601]

Great video thanks for sharing brother I pick up my 46 next week

[@RidgeRoamer]

Awesome! Congrats!

[@hedgehog9475]

A wonderful piece of history. Pretty looking and sounding bike.

[@nojnoj3069]

Stunning.

[@danielabradyjr8425]

that bike sounds great for as old as it is.

[@lynskyrd]

this is awesome- I'd LOVE to learn how to drive an old bike like this with a foot clutch and side shifter. I'm sure a lot of 'muscle memory' rerouting would need to be done :) anyway- thanks for posting this- ride safe.

[@RidgeRoamer]

You are correct about relearning the muscle memory part of it. Now I can switch back and forth between antique and modern bikes no problem, but it took some practice! Thanks!

[@joegavnik834]

My buddy buddy bought a 47 in 1982.1600 bucks.......Still has it.

[@retroracingshirt591]

old iron is like a drug for some people

[@90blacknight]

Beautiful. Really enjoyed this vid! Safe riding!

[@RidgeRoamer]

Thank you. Make sure to check out the video on my channel with onboard ride footage too!

[@jarnosaarinen4583]

Awesome Machine!

[@TBSWORLD77]

Great video thanks for the education!

[@stevenspongeberg8365]

Learned a lot ..just got a 1947 Indian chief..The only thing I noticed is when you were starting you never mentioned to have the clutch in gaged with the bike in neutral..Seems very Important. Thank you for the video..be safe steven in Florida

[@RidgeRoamer]

Thank you. Enjoy your "new" Indian! Yes, starting any motorcycle in neutral is important.

[@Jim-ej6yz]

Beautiful bike and great video.

[@SamLopezI]

I think the Indian looks great!

[@justingreen4450]

Good job

[@mikeraiche5063]

Great video! Well done sir!

[@shakedydogshake]

It’s a kickass bike! Great video!

[@3bdaIIah]

Thanks for sharing bro

[@dumdumbrown4225]

That was just sooo nice to watch - she’s lovely 🧡💚💜💙

[@michaelpickern2109]

Indian the beginning, beautiful bikes🎉❤

[@ricardo8891]

Sew much love in the neighborhood!.

[@dandahermitseals5582]

Sounds sweet Takes me waay back.

[@3360274]

I love it! I have a 2015 Roadmaster, love it, too!

[@OLDBEAR123456]

It sounds perfect.

[@powersource2180]

Great video I just got my 46 cheif haven't started it yet needing a 6 volt battery maybe soon

[@RidgeRoamer]

Awesome! Enjoy it.

[@rogerdepretto440]

Absolute brilliant thanks 👍

[@tombarry9897]

Thanks, I really enjoyed that.

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

Indians were such a fine motorcycle it's a shame and competent management ran the company into the ground and Extinction. Thank God for kiwi Indian you can buy a brand new Indian with electric start and disc brakes if you want them. For 25 to $30,000 you can get a brand new Indian with all of the mechanical upgrades that they have had since the 50s incorporated into your motorcycle.

[@elmerkemp5316]

great video very comprehensive,great bike,can I have it LOL

[@garychandler4296]

I mostly fixed my saggy bag syndrome on my Heritage with some 2" velcro holding a piece of shaped 1/4" plywood under the lid. I watched this video just to hear me some potatoe idling!

[@WillyPark]

Very, very nice...........

[@Notamember8556]

Well done and Thank You.

[@RidgeRoamer]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed

[@nathanclay5798]

Great video!

[@Nachtschatten4711]

Gratulation zu diesem schönen Kulturgut. Sie ist authentisch und wichtig wird gefahren. Fahre selbst eine 2017er in schwarz aber Dein Bike ist noch ein echtes Motor Rad mit allem wie es zu sein hat ohne Elektronik. Viele schöne Jahre wünsche ich Dir mit dem Bike.

[@ricardo8891]

Pulled pushed, kick start my ❤️

[@peterjhillier7659]

Great Bike, great Video, I live in Southwest Britain, but I remember as a Tacker of about 7 years my Father's business Partner Alan Barnett had a maroon 1950's 1000 Indian with a Sidecar and whilst my Father was on the Pillion I was tucked up in the Sidecar I enjoyed a journey of about 80 miles in Southeast Britain, a wonderful memory. Thanks for sharing. By the way what was the backing Music, sounded like The.Madpix Project?

[@svenkruger8135]

when exactly do you use the timing? great video and greetings from germany.

[@RidgeRoamer]

Primarily in transition between idle and riding, but there are frequent minor adjustments as well. Thank you!

[@wakeupandlivelife5513]

Cool bike sounds wicked

[@januarioqueiroz3122]

It sounds much better than the harleys.

[@semperfipar1299]

Looking at this bike it is cool what Polaris has done since bringing back Indian and the styling. I'm wondering if they will bring back the inline four Indian?

[@RidgeRoamer]

I hope so... that would be very cool!

[@garyspracticalworkshop357]

Stunning ...

[@jamesmorriseau4239]

That's a beautiful machine my dad had a 47 Indian chief he sold it because he needed the money to marry my mother I still have a picture ,certainly wish I could find my dad's old bike but I have no idea who he sold it to or where it is

[@Bradlyj.on.the.night.patrol]

It would be really cool if you could track that bike down seeing you owe your birth of life to it! Ha! Just kidding! It's a long shot if paper filed records of title transfers were stored and to what year at that stated DMV but heck maybe you could with some investigating! Good luck if you pursue on doing so!🤞

[@gregduncan1001]

thanks for sharing

[@deang9061]

Correct me if I'm wrong but Harleys of that era had the clutch setup "toe to go". I see you have heel to go. Is that common with Indians?

[@dylandream2248]

Shifter is tank shift not jockey and definitely not suicide shift, it’s suicide clutch

[@marcelorsi]

Máquina maravilhosa!!!!!!!

[@lelandlanglois5902]

my brother had a 1941 indian scout service cycle in 1956 I was 7 years old and road with him

[@ngran2265]

Hello, I have 2 questions. First, what are the 4 holes on the bottom of the left tank for? Second, which gas caps are for gas and which for oil? Thanks.

[@ambientguitar6832]

great !

[@Jaqoum_The_Wizard_King]

Just to clarify, what does the timing advance really do? From what I understand, it retards the spark from the plugs to slow down/speed up the idle, with all the way forward on the grip being all the way back on the timing?

[@jaratt85]

I wish I could afford to get ours up to where it could run.. it's a complete basket case that started out as a $500 rusted pile in Mississippi when I was 9 and hasn't changed much in the last 27 years other than a tiny bit of paint, some parts trashed (by my dad) and the cases glass beaded when I was in high school. The frame still needs fixed and repainted again, the bars need the rust removed and painted or chromed, fenders need found, a new seat purchased, a transmission/gears found and a complete overhaul of the engine, as well as new rims and tires. Really with all that's missing or needs replaced, I'd just hot rod it. It'd be so much easier to put on modern aluminum 50's chopper rims with the stock hubs or maybe even disc brakes up front with the stock drum in the back, a 5-6 speed Baker trans to allow it to easily do highway speeds, and a bit of performance parts into an engine that already needs everything and full machining.. why not up the compression and put in big cams while you're at it IMO? Unfortunately I don't have the money to do any of it or to buy it from my dad.. It'd make a great build series for youtube but I just don't have the money to do it. Nice to see someone that actually gets to enjoy theirs.

[@RidgeRoamer]

Hopefully you get it on the road someday! Do you have it on display for now at least?

[@jaratt85]

@@RidgeRoamer the tanks (which amazingly are in perfect condition) are on the wall in the main garage. Most of the parts are on a shelf in there too, the frame is sitting in the other garage. We're missing the fenders, rims, the transmission's guts were trashed in MS, it needs new pistons, a cylinder cover because one's missing some fins, a clutch, magneto, seat, suspension springs.. Yeah it needs a ton. Unfortunately even just going non-correct to get it riding again it probably needs 20-30k thrown at it and I don't know if I'll ever have it.. Hell being autistic and physically disabled (scoliosis) as well as having numerous other medical issues, I don't know if I'll ever even have a job again so.. I want it to stay in the family, the story is too good for it to go anywhere else.. but I don't have the money to get it from my dad to keep it.

[@panheadfred-vi6me]

I see you have one of Ross's Flathead Owners Group stickers. You must have been on his Flathead runs.

[@aishayana4298]

I love it ! Please don’t restore it. It’s worth more money with its original character to people who know vintage bikes. Only a dope would want a restored bike. Thank you for explaining it to me, us. I definitely appreciate you sharing your beautiful bike with us. 😊

[@RidgeRoamer]

@@aishayana4298 no plans for restoration. Just maintain it to keep it riding. Thanks!

[@KLRFJR]

"ahhh..." it's a real tick, man. ;-)

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

Harley-Davidson made of tin ride ride them out and push them in. Fine Indian made of steel twist her grip and make her tires squeal.

[@dandahermitseals5582]

Im 80 and my first cycle was a 47 Chief found in a barn. I was 12 yrs old. Black like this with original bags. It had been left in the barn for years. I bought it for $50 and got an17 yr old friend help me git it running and he rode it to my house for me.cause I didn"t know how to run it. Dandahermit .

[@DwightHutto]

I've been looking for one like yours. An original rider condition. Do you have an idea of what one such as yours wold go for in 2024?

[@jeroenspinette7635]

Impressive!

[@kdssap01]

Great bike

[@leohorishny9561]

Nice.

[@evil_musclemuscled3814]

Wow a real indian 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼