Indian Big Chief 1200cc V-twin 1927
Engine number: BH2449
Year: 1927 Cylinder capacity: 1200 cc
The Indian Chief was built by the Hendee Manufacturing Company and the subsequent Indian Motocycle Company from 1922 to the end of the company's production in 1953, and again from 1999 to present. The Chief was Indian's "big twin", a larger, more powerful motorcycle than the more agile Scout used in competition and sport riding.
The Chief was introduced for 1922 to replace the Powerplus, although the Powerplus was continued under the "Standard" name until 1923. Designed by Charles B. Franklin, the Chief had design features similar to Franklin's earlier Scout, including the gearbox bolted to the engine casings and primary drive by gear train. The Chief had a bore of 3 1⁄8 inches (79 mm) and a stroke of 3 31⁄32 inches (101 mm), giving a displacement of 61 cubic inches, as the Powerplus/Standard had. Unlike the Powerplus/Standard, the Chief was not offered with rear suspension.
The Big Chief was introduced for 1923. The engine of the Big Chief was bored to 3 1⁄4 inches (83 mm) and stroked to 4 7⁄16 inches (113 mm), giving a displacement of 74 cubic inches. The Big Chief had mainly been offered for sidecar use, but was popular with solo riders as well. The smaller-engined Chief was discontinued in 1928, partly to accommodate increased production of the Model 101 Scout.
This 1927 flattank Indian Big Chief is in a nice patinated old condition and is still running being nearly 100 years old! This vintage Big Chief is fitted with a lot of nice original equipments, including original head- and spotlights, Stewart mechanical klaxon horn, original Mesinger solo and Persons tandem saddles.
The Big Chief was the bigger cylinder capacity version of the succesful heavy flathead range of Indians - starting in the mid 1920-s, today this model is really hard to find in this patinated, near original condition.
History of the Big Chief:
This motorcycle was originally sold new in Austria. In the 1950s, it was brought to the neighborhood in exchange for food. After approximately 30 years, it was exported back to Austria. In 2014 the motorcycle had been sold to the current owner, where it has remained ever since as a collection item.
