1948 Indian Chief , sidecar info ?? • 1948 Indian Chief , sidecar info ?? • USCA Sidecar Forum • United Sidecar Association %

#1 · February 23, 2018, 3:43 pm

Hello to everyone , I'm new here and have a few questions on my 48 Chief. Now, I have had this sidecar body ,style SC, hanging o a nail in the shed for over 30 years. a few years latter I was able to find a nearly complete side car frame, it has also been the shed for about the same length of time.
Any way, i decided to repair the rust damage on the body , which is quite extensive, at the same time I drug the frame into the shop , the rust is one thing and it is coming along , although slowly. But I am learning a lot of stuff about the frame and its mountings . It seems I have something that is really out of the ordinary, while I know it's Indian , and also it is the 40-45 year mountings the main upper brace is way different.
Are there any Indian guys on the forum who can help me with a few questions ? Thanks !

#2 · February 23, 2018, 11:19 pm

Greetingz Billy!

I know nothing about Indian sidecars. I have only seen one in my days and it wasn't attached to a bike. I did a little Googling and found these guys:

http://www.chiefsidecars.ca/apps/photos/album?albumid=12231947

Maybe they can help if you don't get the needed info here.

#3 · February 24, 2018, 6:59 pm

Thank you very much for the lead on the Indian side car parts , I also have found a few outfits that offer parts , one of which is in Europe , somewhere, I have not figured out exactaly where yet. I have printed out most of the information you found , and am getting a pretty good library with the help of guys like you , thanks again, Billy II

#4 · February 24, 2018, 9:34 pm

Here is a picture of the mounts on a friend of mines Indian. Maybe it will help. It would maybe help the rest of us to help you if we had an idea where you are located.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/onHpjMxfOuBCf40u2

#5 · February 28, 2018, 12:24 pm

Thank you for the photo, it's a great looking job. I believe I have a plan for mounts. It will involve shortening the frame and using repopped mounts and S bar. This will bring everything into 48 Specs. If I ever get the body work done that is , I hate that stuff! Ulysses, if you see your friend soon, please ask if he needed to change the fork links to increase rake to compensate for the sidecar. AND I have added my location, and tried to put in an avatar, but can't seem to make it work . Anyway I'm in Sandy Utah , a suburb of Salt Lake City , Moved here from Northeast Ohio, couldn't stand the weather in good ol' Ohio .

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#6 · March 27, 2018, 1:59 pm

I'm not aware of any sidecar specific fork links for the Indians. You could check with Rocky Halter for more info. He's pretty knowledgeable on all things Indian.
Rocky's Antique Cycle: (330) 832-1989

#7 · March 27, 2018, 3:29 pm

Eric at Spartan Cycle just rebuilt a 48, I think. Someone there might know something. 586.684.3372

#8 · April 18, 2018, 12:30 pm

Rocky's number is no longer in service, Spartan is going to call back , so maybe some leads from them , thanks to all with the leads !
got the tub pretty well done , a new fender is on it's way , and wheel bearings . If I could find that rear mount , I'd be a happy camper !

Attached files

#9 · April 18, 2018, 2:32 pm

Cool. Eric is the owner, he isn't there all the time, so it might be longer than a service guy would take. Looking nice, though. 🙂

#10 · April 19, 2018, 12:21 am

That restoration job is impressive. You do good work.

The problem with humanity is: we have paleolithic emotions; medieval institutions; and God-like technology.

#11 · April 20, 2018, 8:23 am

Billy II

Try some of these contacts, If they don't have one maybe they would know of someone who may have the part or Rocky Halters number.

Bills old Bike Barn 570-759-9613

Starkelite Indian 951-968-3070

Kiwi Indian 951-780-5400

Iron Horse Corral 559-322-3327

Harbor Vintage 802-434-4040

#12 · May 1, 2018, 1:04 pm

So far I have been able to collect all the parts I need , with the exception of the rear mount and the s-bar connecting pipe. Fender from Iron Horse , step and fork links from Starklite, frame clevis from Jerry Greer, front mount from Michael Breeding, Paul @ Chief sidecars is no longer in biz. My contact in Poland has been on vacation , or something for the last 6 weeks or so. I have tried most of the above shops with the exception of Bill's and Harbor , I will give them a try.
If anyone is interested I have photos of the build on Face Book at Azzhole Garage . Or Richard H Thomas . I guess the cuss filter wont let me use the correct name of the shop, just use your imagination .

#13 · May 25, 2018, 10:40 pm

Found a rear mount on E-bay from India, about half the price and free shipping ! Had it in under a week ! I may have found some new best friends ! got the frame downsized to 48 specs and the tub installed for now. The frame connecting bar I have will just not work , It must be military , like a 841 ? or something weird. I got the wheel alignment pretty close because the rig will just roll out the shop door unless I chock it.
Photos included , if you click on them they will come out right otherwise lay your head sideways on the desk , I hae yet to figure this out !

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#14 · May 27, 2018, 9:49 am

Billy, I truly believe you have brought something back from the dead. And a fabulous job also! Kudos to you....

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