I Bought a Forgotten 1948 Indian Motorcycle. Will it Start ?

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I had the opportunity to buy one of the coolest old classic Indian motorcycles that I have ever seen. and I bought the it, I bought the coolest 1948 Indian chief that I have ever seen
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#BikesandBeards

[@Wooley689]

You just have to appreciate the builds of these old bikes and how they have stood up after being abused for decades.

[@Will-uu8ed]

Man I love Indian Motorcycles. Let us know when you do a tour of England, would you consider a meet up?

[@wordreet]

Yeah! We have a lot of Indians over here!

[@reecetaylor9518]

He won't come to england lol

[@pedrodurty47]

@@reecetaylor9518 nobody needs to come to England

[@callumbrown8481]

@andre Mitchell no one NEEDS to go anywhere , doesn’t mean they wont , I don’t travel to Spain because I need to ….. it’s coss I wanted to 🤣 your fight name should be Andre “the Karen” Mitchell 🤣🤣

[@reecetaylor9518]

@@callumbrown8481 ahaha

[@n0-one0]

The Eazy Company about to lose their minds.

[@richardbloom7716]

Those guys are past losing their minds. This content i love, and can watch for hours

[@n0-one0]

@@richardbloom7716 I like both channels. I have my popcorn out. Sean has thick skin. I think he can win them over.

[@timfetters7471]

I enjoy these videos. It’s always entertaining to see old bikes come back to life.

[@mgs_3006]

Number 1 is my local dealer. Sometimes I like to just stop in to check out the old bikes hanging from the ceiling.

[@Driver61]

Love that old thing!

[@BikesandBeards]

Hey Scott

[@MonsterGodzArmy]

@@BikesandBeards @ bikes and beards Hey Sean, I got a comment on one of your past live streams today and it said I won something. Is that a scammer?

[@robwestern7702]

Blaine so was it

[@MonsterGodzArmy]

@@robwestern7702 yep 100% they had a pretty good script (i talked with them a bit) but their scam fell apart when I started askimg questions. I even got them to admit that they are Dwight and thier boss is Jim (from the office).

[@IndigenousSteed]

@@MonsterGodzArmy I got a Trace led me to China but heavily encrypted from there

[@purdyfuntimes923]

This is awesome! I know Squirrel, I also live in Fort Myers Florida! This bike has been to many downtown bike nights, I knew I recognized it but would never have guessed?! Awesome 👏

[@BikesandBeards]

thats amazing

[@nverdelotti]

Squirrel is my landlord, I rented out the front half of his shop. From what I have seen that bike has always been a 2 kick bike. He rode that bike all the time!

[@richardantonykoit4586]

Thank you for these videos, absolute quality stuff! Can't wait to see you riding it home!

[@craigcampbell1843]

I feel like the horse shoe should be facing the other way. It’s supposed to catch luck. Not let it fall out.

[@Kentucky338]

This is for sure one of the coolest motorcycles I have ever seen. A true work of art as it is. I really like the way you treat your motorcycles as almost human and recognize there history. I'd love to have an Indian motorcycle but that's never going to happen. Very enjoyable to hear your narrative as you ride. Thank you

[@Rican_Road_King]

Really liked this video and the last ones. Classic old bikes that no one would even look at twice rumbling and showing that nothing is impossible, especially with a little help!

[@mileswilkins2849]

That boyish grin on Sean's face - pure joy. Love this.

[@danielmcfall539]

I bought a 2022 Indian Chief and I can feel the ancestry it has with this bike.

[@SierraThunder]

If you only knew what kind of excruciatingly long days & even longer nights that we put into designing & building the initial proprietary engine design up in the old motorcycle shop & two old Del Monte tomato cannery buildings in Gilroy, CA back in the late '90's so that roughly 24 years later you could be riding the one that you have.

[@blazesboylan7947]

I can't count the number of ways I loved this video, from Squirrel (who should have been a consultant on Orange County Choppers) to the guy with the lit cigarillo putting his face into an engine that was just on fire. Keep up the good work!

[@peterrestaino7047]

You got to remove the oil cap while its running to see if oil is bubbling up from the crank case. theres a stand tube just below the cap. thats how you know you got oil curculation. there is no oil pressure except gravity feed from tank and crank case suction.

[@Zilpan]

There is an oil pump on the right side of the engine, the square thing, not gravity feed but positive pressure.

[@SierraThunder]

No, the 48 Indians have an oil pump, but some folks figure that they're still total loss oil systems like 1935 & previous Harleys, however the dash on that Chief is missing it's oil gauge. Still, you can open the cap & watch for the oil return, it squirts at an angle just below the filler neck on the tank. But it starts & runs fairly decent, so now the rest of the bike can be dealt with.

[@johnandersson]

I love the the new content on this channel! Keep it up!

[@davestuart1581]

The first bike I ever owned was a 1948 Indian Chief. I bought it, up and running for $75.00! This was in 1963! I'd love to still have it... 💔

[@crobin9150]

Chad reminds me of a man who lived near my grandfather, he would work on any engine as long as he had a cig hanging from his lips. Go Chad...

[@chudwick8814]

That reminds me of my dad, who is like me, named Chad

[@Clemsontiger21487]

@@chudwick8814 are you chad

[@chudwick8814]

@@Clemsontiger21487 yes?

[@SlightlyLessFat]

The saddle reminds me of the McDonalds in Evanston Wyoming. They have tables that don't have seats, but saddles to sit in while chewing towards your next heart attack.

[@Brian-zf8jl]

Inspiring stuff guys. Makes me wanna find an old bike and learn about it

[@MrGixxer1300r]

A yamaha xs650 is a good introduction to vintage bikes, they have a huge following, supply of after market parts, and websites and forums to learn about the bike. The bikes are easy to fing and usually fair priced.

[@ferguson8143]

I would learn a little first then find the bike

[@mr.bubbles1621]

Great video man!

[@thedarkgreenvanman]

The ornate details in the leather and metal, the fun bell and stickers. This bike is a gem, its like a horse in an old western movie. Lmao it even came with matching belt buckles.

[@Pittsburghpilot]

These are the videos we love! This is your new sweet spot.👏

[@ramonclements9879]

It takes a genuine enthusiast to attempt to drive such a dinosaur! You are brave men and I commend you guys for it and your willingness to keep expanding your knowledge and experience levels by going after every version of motorcycle driving that can be had. Keep up the fascinatingly real content!

[@s.in.bagger9933]

YESSSSSSS! So excited to see you bring some life back to this piece of history!

[@peterburke5174]

Hi from the UK guys, thanks for another interesting and entertaining show.

[@downlowgo_401]

Nice production quality. You are running with the big boys now

[@paulasipelaez4714]

Im a young guys who fell inloved at classic bike bcoz of you guys i really enjoy your vids

[@therednecklife6355]

Great video! I love watching these bikes get fixed

[@ducatiguy1975]

Love it! I still have my Dads 47 he bought in the early 50’s. He warned me to always make sure the ignition isn’t advanced before you kick it or you might break your foot clean off 😳

[@johnnymichaelangelo9264]

my grandfather used to ride the old indians and harleys he told me the same thing.He said he damn near broke his leg and ankle a few times from that kickback lol.

[@Newtrail100]

Bro, thanks for all the entertaining content. We love you for that!

[@BikesandBeards]

Thanks for being there to watch it. It means a lot to me

[@michaelbyrne996]

Just got down to PA from Newhampshire and I'm 4 miles from your shop. So Bummed you shut down for a bit but I still love the videos

[@smarternu]

Nice, I actually like the wildness of the bike, and for me that is RARE!

[@markkeyser]

Back in the early 80's I took a tour of the Indian Museum in Springfield, MA where the bike were built. There was an older lady (about as old as I am now!) that ran the place. She was a character! She rode her old Indian to work every day unless the roads were icy or snow covered. She said that Harley swiped all of their good ideas from Indian. I don't know if the museum is still there and I'd guess that she's no longer alive. It was an interesting trip into Indian's history.

[@kiwidadygirl]

She was right.

[@aaamac]

you got to meet Esta Manthos - she had an amazing collection and really kept what was left of the original Indian factory going. I loved how funky the museum was, and went to the annual Indian Come Home Rally a bunch of times in the 1980s. She bequeathed her collection the Springfield City Museum. I think a lot of it got actioned off, but its worth researching to find out...

[@markkeyser]

@@aaamac I never knew what her name was. She was a real character! No one like her left anymore.

[@curtisharrison4837]

Indian throttle was on the left. Sharp bike. Cold ride it'll make it across the Mountain again.

[@dewanevl]

And spark advance was on the right. It’s kind of fun watching the distributor cap turn when you twist the handgrip.

[@ashpunting]

Chad is the man he came in and stole the show 💙👍🏾

[@BikesandBeards]

Chad is the man

[@TheAsheybabe89]

A Chad was being a total Chad?

[@jamaartaylor8776]

Thank you for blessing my eyeballs I will love the smell that things start up

[@czamman]

Winner 🏆 most creative and unique antique. By far! Absolutely love it

[@nathanmatthews4422]

God l love this bloke and his excitement about rough bikes. Love from Australia 🇦🇺

[@JMc.D]

THIS is the type of content that we love.

[@bryanrb21]

What a cool and unique bike. Such a cool find and I can't wait to see it on the rode👍👍❤

[@dylan4687]

Love these types of videos 👍

[@thechryslercrew9417]

I love seeing that Chrysler Sno-Runner at 1:43! I spent a good bit of time on my dad's in highschool. There's a video of it with almost 100k views!

[@mattw7409]

the nostalgia of seeing old vehicles

[@mrmawson2438]

I've been waiting for this 👌

[@brycerobbins875]

I believe it ran backwards for a second there, probably enough air and fuel left in the exhaust and it popping backwards from compression during the kick

[@randomandough]

yep it wanted to run,, just the wrong way

[@kman-mi7su]

Yep, I've never seen that in a motorcycle though. I used to drive big trucks and you would see that sometimes. Last trucking company I worked for has a Mack and an old White with a Detroit that would do that sometimes. First time you see it, it freaks you out to sit in a truck and see exhaust coming out the air cleaner and hear the exhaust stack sucking air.

[@brycerobbins875]

@@kman-mi7su I was a diesel mechanic also have seen it then

[@Zilpan]

Two strokes can sometimes run backwards but not four strokes.

[@robcreel4257]

Nice. Love the custom accoutrement!

[@ashtonhibbins9727]

Indians are one of my favourite bikes

[@Deacon2071]

Ok, when it kicked back. It started in reverse rotation. That's why the smoke came out the carb.

[@bangs2ndshotgarage865]

Man you are getting an awesome collection of bikes.

[@MadMotoInc]

Love these old bikes!

[@Mr_bigears]

Oh the slippery slope of collecting vintage bikes..i know it too well.

[@BikesandBeards]

Indeed it is!

[@casualnoobster8688]

Just wanted to say thank you for your vids. Love the scriptures and bikes which inspired me to do something similar as well. TY! God bless you and your family!

[@BikesandBeards]

Go get ‘em and don’t let anyone tell you that your stupid

[@casualnoobster8688]

@@BikesandBeards And i got a reply? sign from above to do it myself with scriptures. TY!

[@ajorsomething4935]

People talk about "custom" bikes now days, but whoever rode that thing truly made it their own lol.

[@SlightlyLessFat]

Also, it was cool to see you down in Hurricane hanging with Matt and the crew. Welcome to my home state of Utah!

[@BikesandBeards]

Utans haha

[@SlightlyLessFat]

@@BikesandBeards what does that mean?!

[@jordanjoestar8839]

@7:42 we took in 87 HD trade ins during bike week for Indians. Some were even 2021 CVOs with less than 200 miles 👀 We have one of the vintage units upstairs in our Indian dealership and it's gorgeous. Crazy to see how they honor the original motor with the new 111/116ci. Beauty on wheels.

[@keithkamps77]

Nice find, good luck/be safe on your journey.

[@BikesandBeards]

dont tell me what to do haha

[@GillansGarage]

Good to meet you guys while you were up and Thanks again for lunch!!!

[@nickmann5822]

Im so pumped for the ride

[@PanM8]

AMF didn't get involved with Harley Davidson until 1969 not 1965. AMF decals didn't start showing up on tanks until 1971. Even some of the early 71's didn't always come through with an AMF decal. By 1972, every bike had an AMF decal.

[@Tcup1982]

I absolutely love this bike, it's everything I ever wanted in a bike,beautiful probably my most favorite motorcycle ever,God bless ✌️

[@ryannovel8892]

I still remember you had slightly bad experience with Indian bike dealer few years ago, glad you still stick around with Indian Motorcycles.

[@BikesandBeards]

This is a different type of Indian, but to honest I still really like Indians including the new ones FTR FOR LIFE

[@jdreyno1958]

Great stuff!

[@MotoTvWoodsFarm]

nice movie, enjoyed watching very much.🏁

[@deanthompson88]

5:40 the music went full crash bandicoot for a second there haha. This bike is sick man.

[@Takwakin40]

I love that bike. Everything about it. Perfect.

[@justinkeller9187]

Really cool bike. Love the WL too. Both my bikes are suicide clutch and jockey shift.

[@JwAutoAndOutdoors]

That’s my home Harley dealer love seeing you guys there!!!!

[@dvscustoms]

Goodness I wait so hard for these videos......

[@grantkokich6906]

Interesting stuff watching an old Indian firing up.

[@joesmith4222]

Even with all the dodads it looks great. Especially the saddle. Nice touch. 👍

[@rednecklogic6957]

Love your vids man, thank you for all you do. The verses in your videos remind me that I need to be a better christian man , God bless you.

[@mj1925]

Cool bike glad you are killing it still

[@motorcyclechef2748]

Dude this was freaking awesome… squirrel is the real deal

[@daveco1270]

I love that you're getting into some vintage bikes. You dove into the deep end with the Harley and the Indian. I started my vintage exploration with a 74 Honda CB750, which is a modern bike compared to that thing. You and Craig need to do the Cannonball on those bikes. : )

[@westho7314]

Those bikes aren't old enough to Cannonball, i think 1930 is newest allowed, but i could be wrong..

[@daveco1270]

@@westho7314 you're probably right. I thought maybe they had different categories with different years of vintage bikes, but I've never looked into it. My oldest bike is from 1964, which I assume is too new.

[@westho7314]

@@daveco1270 I had a 64 Triumph 200cc cub i set up as a cafe bike back in the 60's, actually called a clubman bike back then,, Still my favorite riding bike of all time. They should have Cannonball classes for older say pre '65 bikes that would introduce alot younger of guys into the ride that couldnt afford those antique bikes otherwise.. wish i never sold off my older '30's- '50s bikes.. but thats hindsight.. back then i bought my Indian for $300 and My Knuck for about the same maybe a little less. both good runners,,.Now its through the roof unaffordable.

[@estonsman4566]

I just realised you guys have hit 1 mil, congrats on that!

[@BikesandBeards]

Thanks

[@wyattshelton2080]

YESSSSSSS NEW VIDEO NEW BIKE NEW HAPPINESS.

[@gabrielburduja8780]

Yesss!!! Indian, cooler than ICE COLD. What about you guys restaure the bikes and sell them at big money auctions?

[@RydersRacing]

Looks great

[@reidcav]

Another beauty Love this kind of bike

[@brainfood999]

hey i still want that bike bro 🤣🤣 nuff love from jamaica

[@num_sax2052]

I really like these type of videos because these bikes are what the bikes nowadays came from.

[@BikesandBeards]

Yes

[@jamesgnarkill3112]

Cool you guys got it fire up!!!!!💪💯

[@BikesandBeards]

Yeah we did, mostly me of course

[@cameronwise1671]

Hi I always like see these videos it's always interesting to see how much it take to get the bike running and y'all are good at it 👍

[@DavidSmith-fw6uj]

Love from DeKalb Mississippi USA 🇺🇸

[@mattives6942]

On old Indians, you adjusted the spark with the left hand grip and fuel with the right.

[@Zilpan]

Original Indians had the spark adjustment on the right and throttle on the left.

[@bsamnavas]

Old stuff always best!

[@straightaxlenova]

Proud owner of a '48 Indian here. Your gonna love riding it. They handle surprisingly well for the era when the steering & suspension are right.

[@BikesandBeards]

Wow that’s so cool that you have one also. What size is your throttle on ?

[@straightaxlenova]

@@BikesandBeards It's set up with a right hand throttle, and left hand shift. If you haven't joined the AMCA, join up with your local chapter. Plenty of good people with alot of knowledge, willing to help. A good place to network with antique bikes.

[@EmoPeterParker398]

At 2:17 😂I seriously thought they were looking at the big one next to the left of them lmaooo 😅😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@carsonbruce2024]

Yo love the vids 🔥🔥

[@BikesandBeards]

thanks

[@tophernuttle420]

Nice,my granddaddy had a 36EL and a 40 chief before he went and found God at Iwo and swore bikes off thanks to Granny being the best wife ever in history(grandpa wasn't what You'd call a sane rider...lol) She ended up helping God make a Pastor out of a rebel...lol Mysterious ways indeed... He did 50 years behind the pulpit always putting his church check right back in the plate....One of my hero's and my sons own namesake....But it all started in that junk yard at Pawnee,OK where he put those bikes back together just for something stupid and fun to do...

[@michaelashby4036]

Great story! Oral history is the best! Over

[@trilobite_official]

Hi! :-) What a great jeans you are wearing in this video. Thanks wearing this Trilobite Parado jeans :-)

[@ALOHAJOE1313]

SOOOO BAD ASS!👍 ROAD TRIP THOSE BIKES THE INDIAN N THE HARLEY Sean N Craig!! Cool man🇺🇸

[@windronner1]

Congratulations!!! Between HD & Indian. You may have cornered the market for lawn art!!! Fantastic video. LoL...

[@ljkkj2511]

That bike its just pure charisma! WoW!

[@chrishunter5041]

Foot clutch "or should be" try two priming kicks before turning the ignition on, Love the Indian M/Cs

[@ROT4RYfc3s]

This Indian is beautiful Sean! Ironically I was just in the State College area yesterday morning

[@paulasipelaez4714]

Hello again sir watching from Philippines Godbless always

[@borinightmare]

This is something Mike Wolfe of American Pickers would pick up. Awesome find!

[@automotiveaddiction428]

That would be 1 heck of a ride..trying to shift gas clutch...I see alot of bang shifting in the future.

[@johnjonathan4463]

I thought you had it with the WLA, but this has me even more pumped. I hope you restore it. I have dreamt about what it would be like to ride a chief that was new.

[@BikesandBeards]

This one is really cool and I m so excited about it

[@TheAsheybabe89]

Go down to your local dealership and you can find out. They're selling brand new chiefs everyday 😜

[@joe_preston]

I put the first few miles on a NOS WLA a few years back, it was cool but riding a old original is like putting on your favorite pair of old shoes.