1947 Indian Chief Roadmaster

By Phillip Tooth
Published on February 11, 2010
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Ken Smith's 1947 Indian Chief Roadmaster.
Ken Smith's 1947 Indian Chief Roadmaster.
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Twin chromed spotlights, “Chum-Me” seat and deluxe saddlebags mark Ken Smith’s Chief as a top-of-the-line Roadmaster.
Twin chromed spotlights, “Chum-Me” seat and deluxe saddlebags mark Ken Smith’s Chief as a top-of-the-line Roadmaster.
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1947 Indian Chief Roadmaster
Claimed power:
40hp @ 4,700rpm
Top speed: 100mph (est.)
Engine: 1,212cc side-valve air-cooled 42-degree V-twin
Weight (dry): 572lbs
Fuel capacity: 2.4gal
Price then: $800
Price now: $15,000 – $40,000

When it comes to American style, few bikes match the Indian Chief, which continues to influence motorcycle styling decades on; witness Kawasaki’s 1999-2005 skirted-fender V-twin Drifter. While the Japanese copy might be a nice bike, it doesn’t come close to the original. It’s like being offered sushi when you ordered a juicy 18-ounce T-bone steak.

There were three Chief models in the 1947 range, available in either Jet-Black, sparkling Seafoam Blue or brilliant Indian Red enamel. The cheapest trim level was the Clubman, which still came with plenty of chrome. It had chrome gas tank caps, front brake lever, ignition cable tube, exhaust system, horn face, rear spring shrouds and gearshift lever, a shiny alloy trim running either side of the front fender, a chrome air cleaner cover, chromed rear bumper and that iconic “War Mascot” Indian head fender light. Costs were kept down with painted handlebars, wheel rims and crash bars.

The next rung up the ladder was the Sportsman, which had all the chromed parts of the Clubman, but the handlebars, crash bars and headlamp were chrome plated, too. The Sportsman also got an Indian “De luxe” saddle.

But if you wanted the full touring package and had a fat billfold you’d likely choose the Roadmaster. This had all the chrome and equipment of the Sportsman, but added a Sport windshield, chromed twin spotlights, saddlebags with chrome rivets, a chromed handlebar cross-tube and the new Indian “Chum-Me” seat with adjustable springing so “you could take your best friend along, too.”

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