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

[@Wooley689]

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

[@timfetters7471]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@mileswilkins2849]

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

[@purdyfuntimes239]

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!

[@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

[@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

[@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... 💔

[@mattw7409]

the nostalgia of seeing old vehicles

[@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!

[@paulasipelaez4714]

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

[@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.

[@jamaartaylor8776]

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

[@craigcampbell1843]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@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?

[@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.

[@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.

[@richardantonykoit4586]

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

[@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.

[@JMc.D]

THIS is the type of content that we love.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@johnandersson]

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

[@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.

[@ajorsomething4935]

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

[@downlowgo_401]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@Deacon2071]

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

[@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?

[@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!

[@nathanmatthews4422]

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

[@peterburke5174]

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

[@smarternu]

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

[@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.

[@Mr_bigears]

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

[@BikesandBeards]

Indeed it is!

[@ashtonhibbins9727]

Indians are one of my favourite bikes

[@OFallons]

My 1977 Supper’s only oil drip came from the chain oiler, and the engine blow-by hitting then condensing against the inner primary case. Both were corrected by shutting the chain oiler off, and then directing the engine blow-by on to the drive chain for its lube. I never had any drip’s of oil ever in all the 20 years of ownership.

[@JamesCouch777]

Good idea 👍

[@EmoPeterParker398]

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

[@JwAutoAndOutdoors]

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

[@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.

[@gabrielburduja8780]

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

[@num_sax2052]

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

[@BikesandBeards]

Yes

[@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.

[@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?!

[@mr.bubbles1621]

Great video man!

[@chrishunter5041]

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

[@RCPMK]

We had an AMF sailboat and I remember as a 12 year old kid people joking it was the fastest thing Harley made and it didn't even leak ;)

[@BikesandBeards]

Haha

[@RCPMK]

@@BikesandBeards just bustin ya. nice bike. the belt buckles are a great bonus. good luck on your ride

[@GillansGarage]

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

[@DavidLee-ch9vt]

1:55 What the …? What kind of place is this? Heaven?

[@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

[@MadMotoInc]

Love these old bikes!

[@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!

[@czamman]

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

[@simonkennedy6116]

Finally you're converting to respect Indian

[@PSICaptain615]

My favorite motorcycle of all time is a 1937 Harley Davidson WLA 740 Partially because of one of the movie that I've watched over 6,000 times, I'll give you a hint the guy supposedly riding the bike passed away this morning

[@kurtfoulke5130]

I loved Meat in the RHPS but the WLA was built between 1942 - 1952

[@PSICaptain615]

@@kurtfoulke5130 then maybe it's a late 40s like 1947 I don't know but you get the point

[@s.in.bagger9933]

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

[@ljkkj2511]

That bike its just pure charisma! WoW!

[@matthewcleveland9495]

I wanted to mention for the future, if there is ever a fire at or near the carburetor....... Crank engine..... Turning engine over forces fire into combustion chamber where it belongs. Your engine was actually running backwards for a moment, causing the fire.

[@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.

[@bsamnavas]

Old stuff always best!

[@bangs2ndshotgarage865]

Man you are getting an awesome collection of bikes.

[@crossbowsniper]

That’s going to be a fun bike to ride home.

[@chrisnixon1991]

Restoring these old motorcycles while it may seem like a challenge a legacy is being reborn

[@BikesandBeards]

Yes yes yes

[@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

[@1SnarfyDude]

An Indian with Chief Wahoo on it. Perfect 🥺

[@motorcyclechef2748]

Dude this was freaking awesome… squirrel is the real deal

[@Pittsburghpilot]

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

[@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.

[@nickmann5822]

Im so pumped for the ride

[@deanthompson88]

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

[@utahncornelius5763]

That Indian is by far the greatest bike I have EVER laid eyes on!! What a beauty!!!

[@joeyholthusen6495]

My uncle Gene Holthusen has a 1929 Harley Davidson in very nice condition. It absolutely runs, looks great.

[@brainfood999]

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

[@old_shupshe]

At least it is setup with a right hand throttle. Most Indians had a left hand throttle. And you'll have to check if the clutch pedal has been switched. From the factory Harleys were toe down to go. While Indians were heel down to go. But in the 60's and 70's a lot of folks would modify the Indian clutch to match their harley.

[@Tcup1982]

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

[@passinthru4328]

Hard to beat these Jurassic bikes coming back to life, especially with artistic mods like this one has.

[@valhalla9850]

All that smoke could mean too much oil in the dry sump. Drain at the bottom and add a little more to the top tank. My 1950 chief needs to be started every couple months or too much oil pools into the sump.

[@ferguson8143]

It's OK it's old enough to smoke lol

[@bryanrb21]

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

[@grantkokich6906]

Interesting stuff watching an old Indian firing up.

[@chopshopchopper]

I have one of those indian head belt buckles. Love that thing...

[@borinightmare]

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

[@aflaccidchickentm5652]

Absolutely Love that bike!! I can’t wait to see more of it!

[@jdsimonfpv5867]

Nice bike, like the 42 harley better. Worked harley york amf laid off with 399 others by new owners. Bought a super glide cheap while there.leftover 81 80

[@gamache1101]

Bikes, Beards and Brandon! 🇺🇸

[@normasnockers323]

now thats a proper motorcycle for me, its gorgeous

[@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.

[@justinkeller9187]

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

[@Takwakin40]

I love that bike. Everything about it. Perfect.

[@MrGMawson2438]

I've been waiting for this 👌

[@goa_schoollife9300]

Lot's of love from India

[@automotiveaddiction428]

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

[@CotyHolcomb]

The GTA San Andreas music with the lift lowering absolutely made my day.

[@BattlecatRed]

Can't wait to see the ride home...

[@BikesandBeards]

Me too

[@robcreel4257]

Nice. Love the custom accoutrement!