Author Topic: 1960 Royal Enfield Indian Chief  (Read 17320 times)

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DanB

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Reply #15 on: June 11, 2013, 05:43:45 pm
Gawd, that IS very nice ERC! 
Suppose I were an idiot, and suppose I were a member of Congress; but I repeat myself. ... Mark Twain
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barenekd

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Reply #16 on: June 11, 2013, 07:01:01 pm
There aren't many 16" wheeled Indian Chiefs around because that model was only built for 1 year (1958). They had some leftovers when Brockhouse sold the Indian stuff to AMC, and Matchless dealers took over sales of the remaining inventory in 1960. The last Indian Chief I recall was at a Matchless dealer in Wyoming in 1962. They were able to sell them as current year bikes, even though they had been out of production since '58. But spares and documentation are rare because the bikes were.
Bare
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bullethead63

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Reply #17 on: June 11, 2013, 07:51:05 pm
Lets make everybody throw up. Here's mine.   ERC
Alright,Roger...that's just not fair...I'll bet your Chief didn't look like THAT when you got it...I hope mine looks that good when I'm done with it!
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~


bullethead63

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Reply #18 on: June 11, 2013, 08:03:26 pm
There aren't many 16" wheeled Indian Chiefs around because that model was only built for 1 year (1958). They had some leftovers when Brockhouse sold the Indian stuff to AMC, and Matchless dealers took over sales of the remaining inventory in 1960. The last Indian Chief I recall was at a Matchless dealer in Wyoming in 1962. They were able to sell them as current year bikes, even though they had been out of production since '58. But spares and documentation are rare because the bikes were.
Bare
According to the factory register,mine was built in 1959,but not sold until 1960...I've seen them titled '59-'62...they titled them the year they sold,but were only made in 1958 & 1959...total production was probably less than 700...I wonder how many are still out there...I know that some parts,like the Speedo and rear grab rail are HARD to find...the front mudguard Indian and tank badges are in reproduction,though...but GOD HELP YOU if you need a dash for one...
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~


barenekd

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Reply #19 on: June 11, 2013, 08:26:59 pm
I'll concede to a few months of '59, but not many!
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BTriggs34

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Reply #20 on: June 11, 2013, 09:46:52 pm
Thanks ERC and Bullet for the picks. Nice to see some bikes to compare it to. Can't wait to hear it run once carb kit comes in. I will post some more picks when I get it cleaned up and running.


ERC

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Reply #21 on: June 11, 2013, 11:18:00 pm
Bullet, I think yours will be better especially if you put matching whitewalls on it. After puting the new front one on by hand I decided the back ones staying as is. :P Actually Bare mine was built Dec 20th 1960 and despatched to Associated Motorcycles who took over the rights to the Indian name.   ERC
« Last Edit: June 11, 2013, 11:24:17 pm by ERC »
2-57 Apaches, 2-57 Trailblazers, 60 Chief, 65 Interceptor, 2004 Bullet, 612 Bullet chopped.


rotorwrench

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Reply #22 on: June 12, 2013, 07:01:38 pm
John Brockhouse sold out to AMC in August or September 1959. I think he had a contractual agreement with one or more municipalities to produce police bikes for them at the time he was negotiating the sale with AMC. AMC made no bikes that big and may have held the agreement with Royal Enfield to complete the contractual obligation. Their may have also been a contractual agreement between John Brockhouse and Royal Enfield prior to the sale as well. This was a strange thing to happen in the motorcycle business for sure. Royal Enfield produced near 500 Chiefs from October of 1959 through November of 1960. Whether all were deliverd to Indian Sales Corporation (AMC) or not I don't know. The REOC/UK should have some info on this though.

Many of the Indian dealers completely lost their franchise when ISC sold out and they were some mad MO-FOs. A lot of bad blood followed AMC due to this. Some dealers that were Indian and AMC dealers got to keep their franchise but most Indian dealers were selling Royal Enfield stuff too so many of them changed to Royal Enfield only or they sold out.
« Last Edit: June 12, 2013, 07:08:55 pm by rotorwrench »


ERC

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Reply #23 on: June 13, 2013, 01:58:27 am
I guess that settles it for Bare.  ERC
2-57 Apaches, 2-57 Trailblazers, 60 Chief, 65 Interceptor, 2004 Bullet, 612 Bullet chopped.


bullethead63

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Reply #24 on: June 13, 2013, 01:45:27 pm
Mine was built and dispatched to Brockhouse in December of 1959...and yes,if I can find some nice 5 X 16 whitewalls,that IS the look that I'm going for...mostly Dakota Red (Dupont 1958 Cadillac color),and black...no gold pinstriping...with whitewalls...and I also have some NOS Bridgestone fiberglass saddlebags,as new,in the box...cocktail shaker exhausts,and possibly some Unity fog lights,on either side of the headlight...stay tuned,pictures to follow as I make progress...
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 #25 on: June 13, 2013, 03:04:52 pm
Then yours will look better than mine. :'( Coker tire has those whitewalls.  ERC
2-57 Apaches, 2-57 Trailblazers, 60 Chief, 65 Interceptor, 2004 Bullet, 612 Bullet chopped.


High On Octane

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Reply #26 on: June 13, 2013, 03:12:44 pm
I wish someone made enduros with whitewalls.     >:(

Scottie
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Tom 60 Chief

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Reply #27 on: June 17, 2013, 11:40:43 pm
A pictorial anthology of my beast.
1) Around 1983, my daughter Sarah is six years old.
2) On the way to visit family in southern Nevada.  Sarah is twelve years old.
3) Fathers day.  Sarah at 35 years with her children and Yamaha(gasp).  Me with my now 53 year old Enfield.


High On Octane

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Reply #28 on: June 17, 2013, 11:48:17 pm
That's great Tom!  I hope I keep my Enfield as many years had you've had yours.  Too cool.

Scottie
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Tom 60 Chief

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Reply #29 on: June 18, 2013, 04:05:40 am
Thanks for your kind remarks Scottie.  This bike garners a lot of interest now, however when I bought it in 1978 it was just an old machine that not many were interested in. I'd like to claim prescient insight but it was just luck.  Brian, sorry if we have hi-jacked your thread, you know, boys and toys.  As to engine oil, I think it is difficult to buy bad oil now days, so what ever brand you like in a multi-weight should work fine.  You have the poorly designed "scissor type" clutch (as do I). At best, this clutch slips until it warms up.  I installed the heaviest clutch springs that will fit and used progressively lighter weight oils and found ATF in the chaincase to be the best to alleviate slippage, but it never goes away completely.  As far as history of these bikes, I think Rotors response is as accurate as you will find.  ERC, beautiful bike.  It appears that you have an original Volkes(sp) air cleaner, I have never actually seen one, difficult find.  My machine badly needs tires, they should be here this week.  I will whine here about my skinned knuckles (w/pics) when the deed is done.  This is an actual ad I cut off the bottom of an old MC magazine.  At least we know Matchless was selling these in 1961.