Classic recollections: 1938 Indian Chief, Irv & Al Byers, Warrenville
It's often from family members that we find the best restoration projects. Loved ones may forgo big offers from outsiders in order to pass on their special vehicles to a relative closest to them.
That's exactly how Irv Byers ended up with his stately two-toned 1938 Indian Chief.
The Warrenville resident's brother purchased the two-wheeler from a Rockford dealer in 1940, just before the U.S. entered World War II. He happily rode his new acquisition into the late '50s, when he put it into storage.
Irv's gearhead son, Al, as a young boy was intrigued and excited about his uncle's dusty treasure.
“It was shoved way in the back of his garage. I can remember in junior high sneaking into the cluttered space and climbing over all the junk just to sit on the bike,” Al said.
As the years passed, the father/son duo became determined to get the vintage Indian back on the road.
“My uncle only allowed us to undertake the project with one stipulation: that it stay within the family,” Al said.
The wrench-turning pair didn't start off with elaborate plans, but rather aimed for the simple goal of “just getting it running.” The slumbering Chief was awakened from its resting spot and, after basic cleaning and maintenance, the 1,200 cubic centimeter, two-cylinder engine fired up.
That sound immediately resonated with the guys' inner desire to tinker.
“Once we started digging into it and the further along we went, we knew there was no turning back,” Al said. Their project plans grew from building a modest daily driver to an all-out showpiece.
However, with this new course, they faced a restoration crossroads.
“Shortly after my brother bought it, he got the idea to paint it Harley-Davidson red,” Irv recalled. All those decades later and the bike was still wearing that faded and distressed coat of crimson paint. For the Byers boys, there was only one option.
“Both of us wanted to see it back in its unique factory Navajo Blue and Apache Gray scheme, which was a one-year only option,” Irv said.
Hiding underneath the headlight cover were patches of the original paint, aiding in the matching process. “When he heard we were going back to the original scheme, my brother thought we were nuts. But I could tell he was extremely pleased with the final results,” Irv said.
Other unique, one-year only offerings you'll find on the bike are gray dial faces, ignition switch and handlebar grips, adding to the regal nature of the machine.
Despite its vintage nature, this majestic cruiser does see regular use by both riding father and son. The odometer now reads 36,800 miles.
Their Chief has been displayed at the Milwaukee Masterpiece, the Barrington Concours D' Elegance and shows in Wheaton, Plainfield, Elburn and Naperville.
Before his passing, Irv's brother tagged along for many of the events, relishing the unique bonding and camaraderie found while showing their special motorized heirloom.
Ownership might have passed to Irv and Al, but with all the countless happy memories on the vintage cycle, you can be sure their vow to keep the bike in the family will not end anytime soon.
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