[Mingo]

Hello All,

I am new to this forum as of today but a long time fan of the Indian and Royal Enfield Brands.  I am now 68 years old but in 1969 after returning home from the US Army a friend that had a small motorcycle shop offered me a 125CC Sachs dirt bike or a new 750 Intercepter to buy.  I picked the Sachs and have been hounted by that Intercepter to this day.  I know that I would still have the Intercepter today,  The small dealer was an old motorcycle racer that raced Indian motorcycles.  The idea of an Indian branded Enfield really pushes my button!!!!!!!

I have seen a 1957 Indian Chief project bike for sale that I will go look at next week.  The bike is partualy apart but is to be complete with many new parts in bags with an HMC logo on the bags.

My questions is: Is the 700cc engine in the Indian/Enfield the same engine as in the Enfield Super Meteor?  I do not have an engine number yet.

I would like to hear any comments, warnings, and suggestions.

I read an older thread commenting on the hard to find parts from a Chief and this Chief, from the pictures, appears to be stock with the seat, rear fender, front fender with Chief Head, and headlight nacell with speedo.

If I do purchase the bike my intend would be to put it back together and perform a preservation with minor restoration to make it a safe and reliable touring bike.  It appears to need paint but from the seller's photos I did not see any obvious damage just wear and tear.

Dan

[High On Octane]

The 700 motors are all essentially the same with minor differences in camshafts and ignitions.  If it is mostly complete it should be easy to restore. Check out:


www.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com

[Arizoni]

According to some of my books about the Royal Enfield's, the Meteor was the 700 twin that was introduced in 1952.
The 700cc Super Meteor  came out in September, 1955 and was ready for production in 1956.

Among the changes for the Super Meteor was larger rod journals 1 7/16 dia to 1 3/4 diameter), increased fins on the cylinder head, increased inlet valve head diameter, Auto-advance on the Lucas magneto (changed to coil style in 1958),

The Meteor was marketed in the USA as the "Indian Trailblazer" which initially used the Meteor engine.

The Trailblazer got the Super Meteor engine in 1956? (source unclear on this). By 1957 the Super Meteor was being used for all 700cc twins including the Chief.

The 1957 Indian Apache used a "tuned Super Meteor" engine.

At least, that's what the books say, reading between the lines.

[Mingo]

Thanks High Octane and Arizoni,

Is there any significance to there being a 140 MPH speedo on the bike?

I know this is a hard question but does anyone have any idea on the value of a mostly complete running project 1957 Trailblazer compared to a nice repainted running (not total show restoration) bike?  Just looking for some ball park figures to get a gage on values of these bikes.  I can not find any info on resent previous sales or auction results due to the small population of these bikes in the USA.

I am not a restorer or dealer.  I will do all of the work myself but have an idea that parts and shipping could add up fast.  The owner claims to have $2000US in new parts from Hitchcock still in the HMC packaging.

I will see the bike on Wednesday and have a better idea of numbers, condition, and parts.

[ERC]

A couple of years ago I had to get an appraiser to give a value on one similar to what you have. It's in pretty good shape. The figure was $7500. It's customized a lot. I think I can include a picture.  ERC
 

[ERC]

Nice job included two of the same bike. I gotta get better at this. ERC

[High On Octane]

Nice job included two of the same bike. I gotta get better at this. ERC

Double Trouble! 

[Mingo]

Thanks ERC,

That gives me a point of reference.
You have a very nice looking Bike.

I am now looking forward to take a good look at the bike for sale.

Is anyone able to decode engine and frame numbers?
What would be a good compression ratio?

[High On Octane]

Compression should be 120-150 psi.  I think ERC might be able to run the numbers for you.

[ERC]

I can most likely contact Graham at REOC about the numbers.  ERC

[Mingo]

Thanks to all. I will report in later next week.

[grumbern]

I wouldn't say that the Chief engine is the same. There are minor differences and some things similar to the Constellation. Mine at least has the aluminum valve collars for example and two exhaust cam shafts.
Andreas

[RE_Chief]

Hi Mingo,

If the motorcycle is genuine 1957 it wont be a Chief.  They did not start production until 1958.  One of my Chiefs' is SMPB9002, the second Chief made, it was built in 1958.

Check out http://www.re-indian.com/history.html

Typically the speedos on the Chiefs and Trailblazers were either 120 or 150 mph, the 150mph being the Police Chiefs.

A 140mph speedo maybe an incorrect speedo or maybe an Apache, if it has twin dials it is an Apache.

Of all the Indian badge REs the Apache is the most desirable for its performance (and rarest 318 made) , however Trailblazer (1235), Apache or Chief (800), they all look great. 

Good luck.

Regards Charles

[Mingo]

Thanks all,
I saw the Trailblazer today. There are a lot of missing original parts and a lot of new parts.  The new parts are not on the bike.

The main problem I found was low compression.  Right side 80 psi and left side 100 psi.  The engine did start but there was a sharp short whistle sound from the cylinder head area evertime the kick starter was pushed.  Maybe head gasket leak.

The current owner bought from a guy who bougth the bike from a guy.  No one seemed to put any good work into it along the way.

The speedo, rear fender, and seat are not correct.  The other odd thing is the rear swing arm and air box covers are chrome.  The wheels and tires look OK.

I did not get the engine number because the low compression, the fact that part of the bike is apart, and the fact that there is no history on any of the mechanicals scared me off.  As well as the asking price of $4,000.00

This bike may be a good project for someone familar with Indian Enfields.

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/mcy/5054258136.html

The present owner plans to but the bike on ebay as soon as the Craiglist listing expires before it is sold.

Thank you all for all of your help.  I will continue the search for that Intercepter!!

[grumbern]

Looking at the parts, I'd say the 4000€ aren't cheap, but ok. Many rare parts, that would be very expensive, or hardly available can be seen on the pictures. Also many things that don't look right, but there will always be work to do on such a bike.
Andreas