1938 Indian-Harley-Porsche-Ford V8-60 Flathead for Sale
Custom bike might be listed as a 1938 Indian, but it borrows from Harley-Davidson as well as from some well-known auto manufacturers.
A custom-built Harley-Davison is certainly nothing new. Even the use of a V8 engine in a motorcycle we have seen before. However, this custom Indian motorcycle is not quite like anything we have seen before. It may technically be listed as a 1938 Indian, but it is a long way from the days of being a stock Indian Chief. This hodgepodge of a bike borrows heavily from Harley-Davidson, but the borrowing does not stop there. It has raided the parts bin of Ford and even Porsche to get to this point. This point being a nearly finished bike. It starts and runs but there is still some work to be done before it can be called complete. If you want to finish up this build you will need lights, water pump, expansion tank and some other bits.
So, it is not done, but this is a hell of a start. A 1938 Indian Chief frame and front end is the starting point. From that point things get interesting. The rear wheel is a 15-inch Harley rim wrapped in a 5.00 x 16 tire. The Harley rim was used so the hub can be centered and not offset. The front and rear fenders were plucked from vehicles unknown. The fuel tanks are reproduction Indian tanks that have been stretched and widened. Behind the tanks the rider will sit on a open seam Indian solo seat. That is all well and good but what powers this thing?
Well, power comes from a factory rebuilt 1937 iron sided Ford V8-60. It breathes through a Stromberg 97 carburetor. It is connected to an early Harley-Davidson 4 speed transmission, which retains a stock HD clutch. If for some reason you wanted some foreign parts in your American bike, then you are in luck. You Porsche 356 fans may recognize the Porsche 12-volt generator. It is mounted using an Indian 641 mount but is currently not hooked up. As we said there is a bit of work left to be done, but it is mostly there. And the best part is this bike could be yours.
This bike is currently offered for sale at the Classic Auto Mall. Being built from the ground up there is no title. You get this bike on a bill of sale only. And you only get it if you are willing to part with $17,500. Yes, that money will nearly get you into a brand-new Low Rider S. As much as we like the new Low Rider S, it will not turn heads the way this custom bike will. This custom bike has a style and a look about it that is tough for any new bike to match. Despite the parts coming from so many different sources, they all seem to come together in a cohesive design.
Most of the heavy lifting has already been done here. Grab the bike, finish it as you see fit and hit the open road. Purists may be put off by it, but that is part of the appeal with this build. Who cares what others think? A bike should represent you and only you. If you dig the vibe this bike puts out that is all that matters. So, would you be willing to spend the money and put in the work to finish this up? Let us know your thoughts in the HD Forums.
Images: Classicautomall.com
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