1947 Indian Chief

This 1947 Indian Chief’s history can be traced back to a young man in Wisconsin in the 1960s who disassembled the bike intending to restore it when he was drafted and later killed in action in Vietnam. His mother held onto the bike for some time before selling it to its next owner who put it back together and got it running. It changed hands again in 1995 and later found its way its way into the hands of an Indian restorer, Jeff Grigsby of Indian Motor Works in Bayfield, Colorado, who disassembled the bike and carried out restoration work that included a rebuild of its 74ci V-twin and a repaint in Indian Fallon Brown and Black. Equipment includes a three-speed transmission, a right-side throttle, 12-volt electrical system, 16″ wire-spoke wheels, a girder fork, plunger shocks, front and rear drum brakes, a brown leather solo saddle, brown leather fringed saddlebags, skirted fenders, an illuminated front fender lamp, footboards, spotlamps, and a two-into-one exhaust system as well as center and side stands. This Chief was acquired by the seller in 2025 and is now offered with restoration photos and a clean Massachusetts title in the seller’s name. The bodywork was refinished in the Indian shades of Fallon Brown and Black during the restoration, per the the seller. Work also included hand-crafting the brown leather saddle and replacing the lights and bushings. The bike features matching brown leather saddlebags, an aluminum cargo rack, a chrome engine guard, rider footboards, a side stand, a center stand, spotlights, a front fender headdress, and a chrome rear fender guard.