Author Topic: Chief toolboxes...Bullet,Connie,Crusader,Clipper...WTF? (Read 10446 times)

bullethead63 · **on:** January 20, 2012, 12:22:56 am

For the love of...what in the world were they doing,using up spare parts? My Chief is missing the toolboxes,and I want to replace them...some that I've seen have no toolbox on the RH side,because of that big old 6volt,lead acid battery and box...but I've seen every kind of toolbox on R.E. made Chiefs,from '59-'62...which one is correct?Personally,I think the Constellation model looks best,with the Bullet box running a close second...but some look VERY close to A.J.S./Matchless toolboxes...what is the deal?

The Garbone · **Reply #1 on:** January 20, 2012, 04:55:34 pm

Well if you come across an airbox/ battery case thingy for a crusader let me know as I need one.

bullethead63 · **Reply #2 on:** January 20, 2012, 06:50:57 pm

Can do,Gary...

rotorwrench · **Reply #3 on:** January 20, 2012, 07:18:30 pm

The big twins like the Indian Trailblazer, Super Meteor, and Constellation all used the tool/air/battery box assembly as well at the Tomahawk 500. The later Interceptors also used a similar box assembly. The Indian Chief only had the little container on the left side that housed the ignition switch & associated wiring. The Chief also used a regulat air filter that attached to the carburetor. Most Chief models were set up to be police bikes with a larger battery to accomodate a Motorola police radio and extra lights. Many Chiefs went to civilian owners but they didn't change the machine much. Actual police models usually had a solo saddle and foot boards instead of the dual seat and foot pegs.

bullethead63 · **Reply #4 on:** January 21, 2012, 02:10:08 pm

I think that I'm going to use a little velocity stack on the AMAL,with a screen over the mouth,and Constellation toolboxes,with the vintage-type "Flower" bolts,but I may use modern India-made ignition and toolbox locks,keyed alike...I've seen Chiefs with no toolboxes at all...

bullethead63 · **Reply #5 on:** January 24, 2012, 01:21:47 pm

I found these on eBay...new old stock,still in the original packaging,no mounting holes,or lock / latch holes...ready to paint! I think that they'll look great!

ERC · **Reply #6 on:** January 24, 2012, 04:23:47 pm

Interesting they look like AJS Matchless boxes. Are they made in India ones? ERC

bullethead63 · **Reply #7 on:** January 24, 2012, 05:49:13 pm

Seller claims they're Royal Enfield,made in Redditch...we shall see!

rotorwrench · **Reply #8 on:** January 24, 2012, 07:08:54 pm

The air/battery/tool carrier assembly used on the Royal Enfields after 1956 had a single sheet metal center section that mostly housed the battery and air filter assembly with a small pocket in one of the two outer lids for a tool roll. They were never in a seperate form like the ones pictured. Those are similar in shape to the RE types but that's about it. Prior to 1956 they used the seperate tool boxes very much like the Indian made Bullet classic types now in use. Prior to those, they used two seperat kidney shaped units on the rear fender carrier /handle assembly. You can look on the RE-Indian web site and see how the original stuff looked on the Indian models.

Those would work if a person just wants to add something in there to fill the void but they wouldn't look very original to anything an RE-Indian Chief ever had.

bullethead63 · **Reply #9 on:** January 24, 2012, 09:38:49 pm

Filling the void...those big empty gaps just look...empty...since it's a complete rebuild, and a daily driver,I'm more concerned with functionality than originality...and if they don't look good, I won't use them...I have some vintage Redditch Bullet toolboxes that would work,too...like I said,we shall see...

bullethead63 · **Reply #10 on:** January 25, 2012, 02:05:02 am

OK...Rotorwrench,you are indeed 100% correct...thanks for your input,brother...if I wanted to restore this Chief to "concourse" specs,and make it "showroom new",I'd forget about the toolboxes...but DAMN...look how good they look on the Trailblazer...So...I'm thinking that I'm going to restore this Chief with a NOD to the Trailblazer...

bullethead63 · **Reply #11 on:** January 25, 2012, 02:10:32 am

Here's a stock catalog shot of a Chief with NO toolboxes...

bullethead63 · **Reply #12 on:** January 25, 2012, 02:13:43 am

And here's a shot of a Chief with Constellation toolboxes,like a Trailblazer,with bigger fenders...

...not in love with the blue and white two tone paint,I'm leaning more toward Dupont Dakota Red,like a 1958 Cadillac,with a black frame,and maybe even "Royal Enfield" badges on the tank,and timing cover,instead of the rusty Indian badges...blasphemy?Possibly...

...please don't call the restoration police...

bullethead63 · **Reply #13 on:** January 25, 2012, 02:27:08 am

Now...here's a Chief with Bullet toolboxes...not bad...

bullethead63 · **Reply #14 on:** January 25, 2012, 02:28:57 am

But these just look wrong...

...talk to me,Enfield people,I want (and value) your collective opinions...besides,everyone that I know is sick of hearing about this...

rotorwrench · **Reply #15 on:** January 25, 2012, 07:20:50 pm

That last photo has the original tool/switch box that was used on most Chiefs and I agree that is has no aesthetic appeal. There was no box mounting for the right side. I prefer the Trailblazers & Tomahawks myself. The Chief has a longer version of the swing arm and the fat fenders due to the choice of the 16-inch wheels. The police departments liked the ride of the fat 16s so that was what they were shooting for plus they more resembled the average American bike in that time frame so as to compete with HD or so they hoped.

You will find all sorts of adaptations like this to get the bikes back to a level that was appealing to the individual owners. Most of them ended up as basket cases over the years so parts do still show up occasionally. Many of the Indians I have run across over they years have non stock replacements due to the futility of finding certain original parts in certain parts of the country. I sure don't blame someone for doing mods to make them look better and work better. If you don't get it up and running around, it will be no fun what so ever and will remain in the baskets for future owners to ponder.

barenekd · **Reply #16 on:** January 25, 2012, 10:20:51 pm

Quote

Interesting they look like AJS Matchless boxes. Are they made in India ones?

I'm pretty sure no parts were made in India in the '60s for any model except 350 Bullet. That was all the tooling they had.
The Indians sold in the US were all made in Redditch and were produced from 1955 until 1959. They had some variations that weren't sold in England like a Scrambler (Westerner) and the Chief.
The British company, Brockhouse, who owned Indian, the American company and was the distributor for Ariels, Matchlesses and the rest of the AMC lot in the US made a deal with RE to sell their bikes in the US under the Indian name as Brockhouse was trying to keep the Indian name going. After 1959, there were several left over motorcycles in the American warehouse so they continued to sell them until 1962 as current year models. There was never any Indian (country) connection.
Bare

ERC · **Reply #17 on:** January 25, 2012, 11:38:53 pm

The info from REOC is between 1955 and 1959.all Indian models were RE. In 1960 Associated Motorcycles took over marketing rights to the Indian name and they received 200 Chief models from Royal Enfield. Then used ajs and matchlees bikes with the name. Here's a picture of a 1960 pretty original one. ERC

ERC · **Reply #18 on:** January 25, 2012, 11:43:51 pm

Sorry for duplicating what Bare just said. Didn't bother reading previous stuff. ERC

bullethead63 · **Reply #19 on:** January 25, 2012, 11:45:07 pm

Thanks for the info,and the picture,Roger...could you send me any pix that you have of your bike,for reference purposes? And where exactly is your ignition switch mounted? In the LH side toolbox,or somewhere on the other side?My email address is in my profile...yer bike looks GREAT,BTW...

ERC · **Reply #20 on:** January 26, 2012, 03:17:04 am

The switch is in the little toolbox. I'll email you a mess of pictures tomorrow when I get back on my computer in my shop which has all the pictures in it. If I remember the bike you bought I thought it had a lot of original stuff on it. ERC

bullethead63 · **Reply #21 on:** January 26, 2012, 02:59:05 pm

Thanks in advance...the bike I bought is only missing a few little things...the wiring harness,the ignition,the front brake lever and bracket,the toolbox,the screws that hold the rear sprocket to the hub,the fuel petcock,filter and hose,the ammeter,headlight switch,speedo,attendant wiring and cables for all of those things...

...like I said,just a few little things...the dash is there,but busted up pretty bad,and the badge is missing,no risers for the handlebars,all of the brake linkage for the front wheel...

...BUT...the engine has compression,the tranny is free,the frame is straight,all of the tins are there,just need paint,the handlebars are original,the seat pan is there,just re-covered...so I have a lot to work with...and on...maybe by this time next year I'll have her running and rideable...

The Garbone · **Reply #22 on:** January 26, 2012, 06:47:32 pm

We should see who can get their rig to daily driver status quicker. Bet you a 6 pack or a bottle of Jack.. We could have a thread....

bullethead63 · **Reply #23 on:** January 26, 2012, 07:37:15 pm

Chief and Crusader parts are about the same scarceity...you're on! Let's make it a bottle of Cruzan or Old New Orleans rum...looks like Hitchcock's is going to be making money off of the both of us! When we get both of them finished,we should meet up at the Metro Diner,in Jacksonville,for lunch and pictures...it's about half way for both of us...

bullethead63 · **Reply #24 on:** January 27, 2012, 12:59:58 am

UPDATE: Got my eBay toolboxes today,and they are going to be a perfect fit! Now the big question...modern, Indian-made, keyed locks & ignition,or thumbscrews...or '50's style,one armed wingnuts...or flower head bolts...engraved,alloy ignition plate...hmmmmmmm...what to do...

When installed,these toolboxes look just like this one,the LH side being just about 3/4" longer than the RH side...

The Garbone · **Reply #25 on:** January 27, 2012, 06:16:19 pm

I like your lunch in Jville idea. We can work on the details later.

Well, here is what I just bought. Gotta redo my entire electrical system anyway so..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250977725907&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

It looks cool enough that I am tempted to put it on my 07' and run it without a battery.

bullethead63 · **Reply #26 on:** January 27, 2012, 06:43:25 pm

Cool...may have to get one of those,myself! Once I've exhausted this thread,we'll have to start a new one..."Crusader / Indian Chief Build Off"...

The Garbone · **Reply #27 on:** January 27, 2012, 06:44:37 pm

Start it an I will come. Sorta like the field of dreams...