I purchased this Chief to ride, not hide. It saw Montana, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico and Colorado, from the top of Pikes Peak, Yellowstone National Park during a wild forest fire, to The Sturgis Rally. I was a faithful runner until a bad right knee relegated it to dry storage in my climate-controlled studio. It ran well when last turned Off in 2006 and is being sold “as is” with no warrantee on engine or drive train. Engine turns over. Plenty of nice chrome. Likely needs a full service and some TLC to be road worthy. Engine and frame numbers do not match. Current owner has owned it since 1986.

This is a 1945 engine in a 1946 frame.

MILEAGE: 15,409 but doubt if that is original. Speedo was working, with both needles still intact.

PAINT: Custom, from a previous restoration. This is a road warrior, so it has some road scars in the form of some chips off front fender and wheel paint. This was a fresh repaint in 1986 from the previous owner. This bike takes a great shine and looks great in this paint scheme.

SHEET METAL: Good and appears to be original as all fits, no major dents.

CHROME: Front and rear fender tips, kick starter, brake rods, seat rail, front crash bar, air cleaner cover, generator cover, handlebars, and seat rail. Appearance all looks good with no rust. Obviously could use some polishing which it would take kindly to.

MECHANICAL: It has not been apart since acquired in 1986, when it was purchased with a reportedly fresh top end, maybe 10,000 miles driven since 1986. It was serviced several times by Indian racer and BMW shop owner Stan Myers RIP (Doylestown, PA). Compression good enough to cause careful location of piston when kick starting.

WHEELS & TIRES: Rims are 16-inch
Front tire is 5.00-16 Armstrong Outdated but serviceable (new tube recommended)
Rear tire is MT90-16 white wall Outdated but serviceable (new tube recommended)

TITLE: Clean Montana title. Frame # equals VIN
Engine # CDE1487 B
Frame # 3465684

VALUE GUIDE VALUATIONS:

NADA:  https://www.nadaguides.com/Motorcycles/1946/Indian/CHIEF-74ci/Values
Excellent: $41,070
Very Good: $21,850
Good: $15,200

Hagerty Value Guide:  https://www.hagerty.com/apps/valuationtools/1946-Indian-Chief
Concours: $37,800
Excellent : $27,700
Good: $23,000

ACCESSORIES: Chumee seat (very nice condition, fringed), leather saddle bags (one with hole in lower just above the tail pipe), leather tool holder of handlebars, leather fringe on handlebar grips and shifter, aluminum generator belt cover, aluminum floorboards and rear extenders for passenger, aluminum “Indian” scripted luggage rack, windscreen (not original accessory, but have original windscreen with cracked windscreen), miscellaneous tools.