Britbike forum Forums General discussion The Rod and Tappet Gonna Be an Indian Summer

All Y'all might recall that back in August last year, I'd had it with Cochise, at the Indian Riders Rally the bloody thing nearly brought on my first heart attack, trying to start it. Enough was enough, and it's not what you know it's WHO you know, as I knew him I asked the question....

Pete, says I, can you have a look at this bloody thing for me PLEASE. I'm 100% convinced it's the Carb, OK says my hero, it'll take a while, I'll come and get it....

So around September he came, rolled Cochise into the back of the van and buggered off. A couple of weeks later he called saying, you were RIGHT, the Carb is indeed a problem.....Hang on what do you mean 'A' problem...? Well there's a few other things that'll need fettling....

He then proceeded to reel off a list of little things, that all mounted up to causing a pile of trouble. And he's lovely wife said to Pete, don't you let Shaun have that back till its right, he'll only bugger it up....

Seems I don't give anyone any confidence....Some of the little things were stuff like the kickstart shaft that bolts to the back of the engine, the shaft itself was bent, due to it being broken in the past, and welded badly. This caused the teeth of the kickstart to wear away as they hit the lower frame, thus the engine wasn't being turned over properly when I kicked it. Then he found the piston rings were worn, along with the tappet lifters. Just stuff like that, everything made to make it harder to start....


Time passed and as the parts supplier over there in Germany was retiring, the parts took their time coming, the longest wait was for piston rings. We could've got them from another supplier, but Pete was adamant that the German lad was always a good parts man, so best to wait. Then finally I got the call that the bike was done, and Pete brought it back to me, but *Life* got in the way and I just couldn't take it for a spin, until today....


What an absolute JOY it is now to go through the starting procedure, turn the ignition ON and start the bike FIRST kick, so forgive me if most of the photos in my 2022 yarns contain this machine, we've got a lot of catching up to do....

That first-kick starting is really a good feeling .... Also make sure you know the drill when it's HOT! Could be quite a bit different.

You'll be the star of the show at rallies, up there with the lads on Vincents and Broughs. I know we say it "doesn't matter, a bike's a bike" but deep down inside we know that isn't really true .... !!

Lannis

I think you'll enjoy riding it.

Those big flathead twins are usually SMOOOOTH runners.
I know the 80-inche Harleys were. My Dad had one.

The owner of the shop where I worked used to spend hours tuning the big S&S carbs that the Harley crowd liked only to have them return an hour later complaining that it didn't run right. Turns out that at the first stop light the owner got his greasy paws onto the adjustments. Maybe he wanted a smooth idle?
We ended up putting paint on the screws after adjustment.

Glad you got Cochise sorted.

Seems these Indians are somewhat sensitive to worn parts. Try as we would, the 37 Scout would not cooperate at the race a week ago. Would not rev past 5600. Usually take it out to 67-6800 rpm's. Turns out the lifters are a bit worn. It is surely a fun ride when it works but "when it works" seems to be the exception. In the poor Scout's defense, what we're doing is most likely not what it was designed for.
Dad had a buddy when they were in high school that had a new Chief and according to dear old, the 2 of them put many happy miles on it. I would expect that 70 or 80 years on it too might have tired parts.
Here's to many happy miles on your Chief!

I want a 750 Scout….

Good luck on that wish, Hillbilly.

Scouts were so successful in racing that many of them were destroyed doing it.

Actually Cochise is a 1940 "Sport Scout" 750cc, with a 1941 front end, I think..... One of Indian's best-balanced riding bikes.

Lannis

And so it is.

So many bikes - so little time (space) (money) ..... pick your poison there

Mike if you’re racing Indians you should bring it up to the Race Of Gentlemen & drag race it on the beach in October

Shaun, glad you got the bike sorted my man.