Post Sale Update: After being relisted, this Chief sold for $22,000 with 42 bids.
One of the best looking cruisers in history is the ’47 Chief, which is part of the reason why they aren’t cheap. This matching-numbers example was given a full mechanical restoration. You can tell what the seller was going for when he says “the paint came out better than I wanted it to but I think with some road sand, gas, battery acid and neglect it will start to look better.”
The engine was rebuilt and has been bored over .040. The transmission was also rebuilt, and the drivetrain just has 30 break in miles on it now. Other mechanical work included rebuilding the wheels, shocks, and brakes. There’s a few reproduction parts, which might help keep the price down for those of you that are interested in this beautiful cruiser – the tires, hand grips, tail light frame, generator belt guard, gas caps, muffler, petcocks, seat, coil, and floor boards are all non-original. A few miscellaneous parts are either custom made or from the wrong year.
As the seller puts it, this isn’t perfect but it’s a nice example of a mostly original and correct ’47 Chief. Everything is said to work, though the horn is a little weak. The speedometer is said to work but weirdly, the seller says “I do not hook my speedometers up on my bikes because I do not go fast enough to worry about it. I have the correct rebuilt Corbin Drive which can go with the bike I have a spacer in its place right now. It does not come with a cable but they are around 60 bucks if you desire one.” The seller has 3 other Chiefs to restore so this one has to go.
Find this Chief for sale in Howell, New Jersey with bidding up to $15,655.55 and the reserve not yet met