Glyptal

Like so many aspects of old motorcycle restoration, painting the inside of the cases with Glyptal seems to elicit polarized opinions...

Among the purported benefits: sealing porous cases, facilitating oil drainage, and encapsulating any remaining contaminants (e.g. residual glass beads).  So say the advocates.

The theoretical drawbacks are two:  Glyptal may insulate the oil from reaching the cases, and may therefore contribute to slightly higher oil temp, and the spectre of flaking paint plugging oil passages, and causing catastrophic failures.  I suspect the failure to adhere would be traced to improper prep, because plenty of people claim to have opened cases after 30 years, and the Glyptal is still there.

I took the plunge.  Watch this space to see how it turns out...

Polishing the pinion shaft

I needed an extra 0.0004" clearance (that's four ten thousandths for those of you still paying attention) on the pinion side main bearing.  The '47 Chief pinion side race is in a blind hole, and thus hard to hone.  The machinist suggest I polish the pinion shaft to get the right clearance instead.














Another Indian rescue job for the '47 Atlas lathe...  A little crocus cloth and some Scotch Brite, and we're there! A quick test-fit of the pinion side bearings...  Looking good!

Watch this space.  Parts should start going TOGETHER as opposed to coming apart pretty soon here.

Swap Meet Find!

Went with Bitmonkey to the Early Bird Swap Meet last week.  Found this buddy seat that came off a 1946 Indian...

I think the seat is either aftermarket, or possibly 1950's era Harley, but all the seat mounts are correct for a Chief.  The chrome seat rail is in excellent shape.

I am still planning to run a solo seat most of the time, but this was too good to pass up.  We'll see if Harleywidow is willing to give it a try with me...