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This seller could be a politician. It says matching numbers, but doesn't specify how many. I see a 67 on engine and a 67 on frame so technically those numbers match. Add says frame number is 3466736 but no pic of that one.

That frame stamp is not in normal location. No idea of this numbers origin. Wonder if the 3466736 does exist in proper location.not that it would matter anyway but at least it would be nice to see.Never cease to be amazed at the extent folks will go to to convince buyer of matching numbers. I don't understand the need to look like a fool. Why not just provide photos of the numbers and let it go with no claims of authenticity. Hi,Thanks for all the great comments. The one stamping the looks like 'ORE156765' is in a place that I couldn't figure out.

The regular frame number location might actually read 3466736, and I'm guessing that the engine was mistakenly stamped (poorly) by someone as CDE6736, when it should have been CDF6736. The photo of CDE6736 used to be in this thread - but it has disappeared. A 'CDE' engine is for 1945. How many 1945 Chiefs were actually built? A couple of references give the number as 2,200. I have seen several good stampings over 1,000, with the highest I have personally seen being 1,574.

Clearly CDE6736 is an impossible number. CDF6736, on the other hand, is a possible number with the highest 1946 Chief I know of being CDF7081. Beat this the best of the english beat save it for later. I agree with 'Skirted'. Show the numbers - engine and frame - and it is what it is. 'Matching Numbers' does get over-used, and it starts to fall in to the realm of phrases like 'Barn Fresh'. Hi, for your information, your bike is not matching numbers.the engine is 1945,from the CDE you have said it is, and the frame is 1946,from the numbers you have shown.you are misleading buyers by saying it is matching numbers.Nov-05-16A: Hello- I am misleading no one.

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I clearly indicate that the frame and engine are from different production years but the bike is 100% original and has not been altered. I am also very well informed about the fact that the Chief was in very limited production, for civilian purchase, in 1945. The information that I was able to assemble from the previous owner (who was the owner since 1973 and the neighbor to the original owner from 1946) was that the bike was assembled in 1946 using a 1945 production excess motor (properly labelled) and a 1946 frame (properly labelled to match the engine). Such is the beauty of owning an Indian motorcycle; their internal record keeping is notoriously poor and so many chopped bikes have been painted, repainted, etc.

The title (which I have in hand from 1973) Indicates that the bike is a 1946 Indian with the proper 1945 engine number listed as VIN. We can argue semantics, but the first hand knowledge that the previous owner shared with me, the provenance of the bike, and the matching numbers cannot be argued. If you have reservations about the bike, you are free to not place a bid. However, all of the documented information that I have as well as first hand knowledge trumps the information that you cite. I thank you for showing interest in the bike and seeking clarification. I hope that this information clarifies my position, but I am of clear conscience in stating the information is factual. Hi,The seller may not think he is misleading anyone - but he is.

The number stamped on the engine CDE6736 is not a possible 1945 Chief engine serial number. I'm guessing that whoever stamped the CDE6736 either made an error by picking the 'E' instead of the 'F', or the paperwork had a clerical error that was transferred to the engine. CDE6736 is absolutely not a factory stamping. The '3' has a flat top, when it properly should have a rounded top. People can have strongly held beliefs - and those beliefs can be factually incorrect. I have seen paperwork for a 1945 Chief that has serial numbers for a 1948 Chief - which was an instance of a swapped motor and a clerical error combined. Department of Motor Vehicle employees don't have the resources to know what is really true - and what isn't.

The machine in question is not a 'matching number' machine - but it is an Indian and the serial number inconsistencies and errors do not diminish the machine as a machine. Where are the photos that support the seller's claims? None are supplied. I have plenty of photos to support my claims. Anyone wishing to see them can PM me, or if there is some expressed desire, I'll attach some to this thread.