Author Topic: 1960 Royal Enfield Indian Chief  (Read 17322 times)

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BTriggs34

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on: May 30, 2013, 09:48:13 pm
My father has had this 1960 royal enfield indian chief in his garage for at 20 years. He is letting me have a friend of mine help me to get it running. I was wondering if any of you have any helpful information on this model?  I have the front fender and emblem for it but I am missing the brace rods for fender. I am not sure if it is missing anything else. Looking to find out whatever I can on it.

Thanks
Brian


BTriggs34

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Reply #1 on: May 30, 2013, 09:58:04 pm
The last picture is where my father bought it from. It was in that barn for years before he bought it. Here are some more pictures of it.


ERC

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Reply #2 on: May 30, 2013, 11:54:43 pm
Looks like everything is pretty much there. If the fender is original the #s for the braces are 38759 front, 44223 center RH, 44221 center LH, 44222 rear. Hitchcocks has them.   ERC
2-57 Apaches, 2-57 Trailblazers, 60 Chief, 65 Interceptor, 2004 Bullet, 612 Bullet chopped.


BTriggs34

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Reply #3 on: May 31, 2013, 12:06:58 am
Do you know where I can find a parts manual and a owners manual for this bike.  I have had a lot of friends say to leave it and not restore it because it is only original once. And some say once it is running start to restore it to like new. What is your opinion?


ERC

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Reply #4 on: May 31, 2013, 02:03:11 am
Hitchcocks has manuals for them. Go on their site and look for them. They generally have anything you'd need new and used. I'd use it and then restore it frankly it looks pretty original.  ERC
2-57 Apaches, 2-57 Trailblazers, 60 Chief, 65 Interceptor, 2004 Bullet, 612 Bullet chopped.


bullethead63

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Reply #5 on: May 31, 2013, 02:54:57 pm
Welcome to thr forum,Brian...I'm restoring a 1959 Indian Chief right now,and I'd urge you to get it running,and ride it as is...that's one of the cleanest,mostly original ones that I've seen,and finding replacement parts is a BIG hassle...they are as rare as rocking horse shit...I'm going to download your pix,and use them as a guide for my restoration...very nice!
« Last Edit: May 31, 2013, 02:58:03 pm by bullethead63 »
1959 Royal Enfield/Indian Chief 700~(RED)~1999 Bullet Deluxe 500 KS~(BLUE)~2000  Bullet Classic 500 KS~(WHITE)~2002 Bullet Classic 500 ES~(GREEN)~1973 Triumph Tiger 750~(BLUE & WHITE)~Ride-Wrench-Repeat~your results may vary~void where prohibited by law~batteries not included~some assembly required~


BRADEY

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Reply #6 on: June 01, 2013, 11:30:11 am
This was called "badged engineering". The Indian Chief marketed during this period were actually made by Royal Enfield for the US market. This relation however did not last for very long.

As for the part and service manual, Hitchcock is the most reliable place.


gunnerasch

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Reply #7 on: June 03, 2013, 03:57:58 am
This is the very FIRST complete Indian Ive ever seen.  Mine was badly "chopped" and now I can see for the first time..what its supposed to look like.  Thanks!!

Gunner


rotorwrench

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Reply #8 on: June 06, 2013, 12:43:55 am
All the Indian Twins used the same workshop manual. Tomahawk, Apache, Trailblazer, and Chief. There is a riders manual that covers all too. The parts book is a 1959/60 Chief Supplement to the Trailblazer parts book for 55 to 58 T-blazers. It just shows page for page part number changes for the Chief. There is very little information on the Chief models in writing or illustration since they were introduced about a year before John Brockhouse sold out to AMC. No specific manuals were ever produced that I am aware of.


BTriggs34

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Reply #9 on: June 07, 2013, 03:07:47 am
I am surprised to know that it is not common to find these complete.  When when I put on the front fender and get it running I will try to post more pictures and and a video. 


D the D

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Reply #10 on: June 07, 2013, 03:50:45 am
No, that's really nice.  Most are chopped up and modified, crashed, or rusted out and aren't half as complete and in as good a condition as yours.
'07 Iron Barrel Military (Deceased 14 September, 2013)
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BTriggs34

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Reply #11 on: June 08, 2013, 09:22:14 pm
I was wondering what is the recommended motor oil and amount?  Also what oil goes in where the clutch component are and how much? My friend has the front break freed up and said the compression is good. Ordering new carb kit also.


ERC

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Reply #12 on: June 08, 2013, 10:48:53 pm
I use 20w-50 in the motor and 10w-30 in the primary. I you use the 10w-30 get one that isn't "resource conserving". It can make the clutch slip. Fill the primary to the little screw in the bottom of the case.  ERC
2-57 Apaches, 2-57 Trailblazers, 60 Chief, 65 Interceptor, 2004 Bullet, 612 Bullet chopped.


bullethead63

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Reply #13 on: June 11, 2013, 02:45:15 pm
OK...maybe I was a little off the mark when I said "cleanest"...but it should clean up good...not in love with the hot rod pinstriping,but you DO have the INDIAN badged rear grab rail,and that is one tough item to find...I'll post some pix of my rust bucket Chief,for comparison...it makes yours look like a SHOW BIKE...
« Last Edit: June 11, 2013, 02:47:52 pm by bullethead63 »
1959 Royal Enfield/Indian Chief 700~(RED)~1999 Bullet Deluxe 500 KS~(BLUE)~2000  Bullet Classic 500 KS~(WHITE)~2002 Bullet Classic 500 ES~(GREEN)~1973 Triumph Tiger 750~(BLUE & WHITE)~Ride-Wrench-Repeat~your results may vary~void where prohibited by law~batteries not included~some assembly required~


ERC

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Reply #14 on: June 11, 2013, 04:29:29 pm
Lets make everybody throw up. Here's mine.   ERC
2-57 Apaches, 2-57 Trailblazers, 60 Chief, 65 Interceptor, 2004 Bullet, 612 Bullet chopped.