On the old pump side the gears looked good the killer check ball was removed as is advised by Wilson Plank and Jerry Greer. The cams were standard profile and in good order. We measured them from data listed in Jerry Greer’s catalogue.
The wheels were laced with stainless spokes by an elderly gentleman called Roy who does most of the vintage motorcycle wheels here in Auckland in his little garden shed. The offset was applied and wheels as good as new. John at this stage reassembled the forks and we replaced the bushings and seals however the stanchions did not need to be hard chromed. They were fine so a frame with wheels front forks assembled and the motor dropped back in. Next we rechecked all the tin ware for a good fit and John suggested putting blind nuts welded on the inner guard. This in hindsight was a great idea and makes it a breeze taking the tin ware off and on. After we were happy with the fit of everything the tin ware was hauled off to the painters which was right next door to Johns.

Dene Humphries paint shop accepted the task of giving me a spotless 1pac finish. Celistina chose the color which was an orange metallic. Hopefully this would give the bike an original look from a distance but up close with the sun shining on it, very sexy indeed. I should point out at this stage that Jim parker Indian was a great help. I would be phoning Jim weekly ordering parts and fastenings etc. You’d always count on forgetting something important his service was fantastic with parts always arriving within days.
The handlebar assembly came up first rate even the mirror was saved. I would keep it left hand throttle because that’s what I’m used to. At this stage we were starting to need parts that were not available because nobody could be bothered making them I guess. I ordered a bench seat rail from Starklite but I’d given up waiting on that so John made one up drawing the shape in chalk on the concrete floor then bending some plastic pipe by heating it to the shape. We got a local bender guy to shape up several ‘just in case’ and John welded it up.

I got it chromed at Terei bros, John Terei is Maori guy who does all my zinc. He’s one of the nicest guys around and one of the cheapest and turns out top quality work. Next were the brackets for the front fork panel. John built these up on a day I wasn’t there. I can only guess at how much head scratching and figuring out how! .
The Linkert 350 carb came back from Firedogs country retreat all restored. With parts from Jim Parker I decided to use a fuel filter I had purchased off Wilson plank back in ’96 when on a visit to California for my business ( musical instruments).

John painted the distributor and replaced the points. The shaft was tight just like new. The coil was new old stock from Jim, even had the box. The generator was pulled apart, rewound, and painted by Dene, new brushes and oiled. one spring replaced and one insulating board fabricated by Firedog and assembled by John.
The exhaust system as with the previous two chiefs didn’t fit so John jumped on it, then it fitted fine!.
The painted tin came back. The Starklite eighty stickers just crumbled which annoyed the hell out of me as I had to pay a local sign guy $160 to fabricate some more. Apparently the same thing happened to Greg and later he tells me he’s got spares. Ta Greg!

 

To put my own little mark on the bike I put a 50s style decal of a girl who looks a bit like Celistina wrapped around a Gretch rockjet guitar. I’ve been a musician gigging for 25 years so to me the Americana of cool American bikes and guitars go hand in hand.
Needless to say the wife and I were very happy with the paint. Great job Dene. I think that the quality of workmanship in this small country is unsurpassed. The pioneer spirit is in us all.
Lastly the trim was put on the guards. Then on the final week John and I would put a piece of orange on each night until lo and behold it was finished just days before the deadline. I won!! However I didn’t really because Greg had put in miles more hours on his motor than we had to. I think if it is within your power with time or cash you must set yourself a goal even if it is only a job assembly, how many restorations are out there still sitting in the shed years after procurement because the fire has gone out and it will, if you leave it too long.
Well it was finished. John and I just stared as it I remember thinking back as the emotions of seeing this beauty as it should be it hit me I am the first NZ'er to see one of these ’53 Blackhawk Chiefs. It was like a goal which had really started back in 1995 when I had seen a real Indian Chief at a rally ( Crazy Dave's ’47 Chief).

My dad had ridden a 741 because that’s all he could afford for transport in the ‘50s so in ’93 I bought a 741 and taught myself how to ride it. After seeing a Chief I knew I wanted one and no other bike would do and through the trials and tribulations finally I’m led to this - I’m not a rich man just a passionate one.
The rewards of all the effort, frustrations and heartache right in front of my eyes. Yes it’s worth it every bit. The next day Celistina arrives with the champagne and I let John fire it up. 3rd kick and it roared into life. From its first breathe of life I knew it was a good one, the engine sounded sweet. I climbed on, put it into 1st and off down the road. The clutch is amazing. Wow this is going to be good. I just can’t wait to do its first maiden voyage but first I’ll get these photos developed and send one off to Jim. If he’s as passionate as me he’ll be pleased to know that his old bike was done right