This 1947 Indian Chief was refurbished under previous ownership and acquired by the seller out of long-term storage in 2022. Subsequent recommissioning in preparation for the sale included installing a Starklite electronic ignition module, adjusting the valves and timing, rebuilding the carburetor and horn, changing the engine and transmission oils, and replacing the seat, seat spring, main wiring harness, spark-advance control, horn button, fuel and air filters, battery, and spark plugs. Power is from a 74ci V-twin paired with a hand-shifted three-speed transmission. The bike is finished in two-tone red with chrome accents and equipped with a foot-actuated clutch, 16″ wire-spoke wheels, a girder fork, plunger shocks, dual spotlights, a tan leather solo saddle, engine and rear guards, a Linkert carburetor, and a chrome two-into-one exhaust system. This Chief is now offered with the seller’s service records and a clean Illinois title in the seller’s name.
The bike is finished in two-tone red over a black powder-coated double-cradle frame and features a post-sprung solo saddle with a tan leather cover. It has skirted fenders, footboards, a locking toolbox, and a side stand. Brightwork includes the headdress light, headlight bucket, spotlight assembly, engine and rear guards, fender skirt trim, shock shrouds, and rear fender bumper. The seller notes the presence of corrosion on various fasteners and components.
Chrome 16″ rims are laced to drum-brake hubs and mounted with Avon Safety Mileage MKII tires. Suspension is provided by a hydraulically damped girder fork as well as a pair of plunger shocks at the rear.
The chrome handlebar features through-the-bar cable routing for a twist-grip spark advance on the left and a twist-grip throttle on the right. It is clamped by pullback risers that frame the adjustment knob for a friction damper in the steering stem. The chrome tank-top dash panel houses a 110-mph Indian-branded Corbin speedometer, an ammeter, and a keyed ignition switch. The five-digit odometer shows 640 miles, less than 100 of which were ridden by the seller. True mileage is unknown.
The 74ci flathead V-twin is equipped with a Linkert M344 carburetor, a Starklite EP-22 electronic ignition module, an Auto-Lite distributor, a kick starter, and a chrome air cleaner cover, ignition wire tube, pushrod covers, and two-into-one exhaust system.
Power is sent to the rear wheel through an enclosed four-row primary chain, a multi-plate wet clutch that is actuated by a rocker pedal, a hand-shifted three-speed sliding-gear transmission, and a drive chain.
The bike is titled using the number CDG8026, which is stamped on the engine case. The seller states that the stamped frame number, located on the lower-left shock mount, is filled in from the powder-coating process.