[Crazy Horse 124]

Not knowing where the serial numbers start (0001, or 1001) I would guess that my Brave is an early one and probably a 1951. I would love to her from other Brave owners as to thier serial numbers and year if their bike.

 

[IndianLance]

Back to more progress pics:

 

[IndianLance]

Something I like to do on early Brit bikes with these screw-on air breathers on Amal carbs....is to put a circle of foam inside & spray it or soak it in oil...so that there is actually something to catch dirt...you can't even see it in there when it's screwed together and installed.

 

[BMW45Indian]

Something I like to do on early Brit bikes with these screw-on air breathers on Amal carbs....is to put a circle of foam inside & spray it or soak it in oil...so that there is actually something to catch dirt...you can't even see it in there when it's screwed together and installed. View attachment 774336

If you’re a member of the AMCA you need to look up their website info that may have some useful links & you can reach out to Pete Sink in NC as the expert on this era Indians he has been working on since he was a teenager

 

[IndianLance]

 

[IndianLance]

For Freebird ....per our earlier convo....
The "battery" side...I had to fab the hold down bracket..it was missing...the bat box is a Lucas pu7d

 

[IndianLance]

 

[IndianLance]

 

[IndianLance]

While there might not be a definative resource on restoring a Brave...The service manual certainly has enough info (besides the paint scheme I mentioned earlier)...to fill in most all the gaps...(if you want to get your OCD on)..

note the battery box & hold down...also, no rubber on the kicker...and, the foot peg rubbers...I used repo BSA...they are almost identical.

 

[IndianLance]

More examples of this:....the tail light wiring, stop switch & John Bull style wire ties...

 

[IndianLance]

I used vintage Chief / 4 handgrips w/ the logo...these are for 1" bars....but, a piece of black heater hose makes a nice shim and a (very) tight fit!

 

[RiderJohn]

I enjoyed following your progress. It is going to be an impressive antique.

 

[slewfoot]

So, early April of this year I found myself looking for another old motorcycle, (a daily occurance actually)..Ran across this Brave a few hrs S. of me. View attachment 773571 View attachment 773572
Here it is ...waiting to be loaded up.
Non running, (but, not stuck), clear title, mostly complete (except chain guard), & mostly original, (except a bobbed front fender).

That looks like fun... Show us when you're done. Great job thanks

 

[Crazy Horse 124]

Well I am looking forward to seeing some pics of the finished product.

 

[IndianLance]

So,....I got another bike...it's gonna need new handlebars too...

seriously,....I did pickup another one...a friend called and said "I'll never get to it"...he had pulled the motor apart for a rebuild 20 yrs ago...

1970 BSA 441 Victor.....yes, I have already started on it.
..

 

[IndianLance]

So,....remember about 3 pgs ago....I pointed out that somebody had stuck a screwdriver or ?...into the ign, and it pegged out the amp guage?.....well, I'm about to get 'round to that part of the story....

 

[IndianLance]

So, I got the bike back together and running first of Aug. I thought pehaps the reason the amp gauge pegged was just due to putting voltage to it when I hooked up the bat.....I started it up, and turned onto the blacktop...the new paint gleeming in the sun...gave it throttle, shifted,...2nd,...again,...3rd...I was cruisin'!!!...fantastic....Got about 1 ml down the blacktop and it died...dead batt.....the switch apparently had a dead short in it....


I (briefly) ...thought about trying to take it apart...(briefly)...I didn't have a key, and figured if I tried to jam it back with a similar instrument...but, decided I would prob destroy it trying.
This is a Lucas switch..part # 31268. They don"t make repros...and finding a nos one...good luck..
I agonized over putting a different switch in....
(Why do people do crap like that)!
BSA also used this switch. So, I started searching and contacting everyplace possible...
Took about 2 months but, I finally found a good used one...in the meantime...I managed to resist the urge to change to a different switch, and I'm glad I did....

 

[IndianLance]

If this wasn't in Sweden...I'd be bidding on this!!!..

⁰

 

[IndianLance]

And so, without further delay:...here it is, my 2 1/2 mo resto on the Brave.

 

[Crazy Horse 124]

"Excellent". I hope mine comes out that good.