A shout out for the guys who preserved the wood and made and assembled the crate, back in the days when pride in one's work and real craftmanship was the norm, rather than the exception.
I love that he's opening that crate with a hundred year old screwdriver!...Perfect! I'm not a motorcycle guy, but I absolutely love people who preserve and show old machines, whether cars, bikes or machinery. Much respect to our forefathers..
Fingerprints? It's common knowledge Indian Co..used pygmies to assemble sections while being shipped. That's why there are fingerprints in the box. Or maybe not..lol
Exactly what I came to the comments to say. You could even add some edge or back lighting to it and it would make a beautiful piece. Would anything oxidize on that engine now that it's open? I am not sure if the wood crate was a perfect seal.
Everything is more exciting than Jerry Rivers opening the vault! Ahhhhhh, those were simpler times, weren't they? Ya it was "crazy", but it was crazy that made sense. Today's crazy is upside down and backwards!
My Dad was stationed at Fort Knox during WWII. He was and instructor teaching the guys how to put Indian Motorcycles together and take them apart. I sure wish he was around to see this video of yours! Thanks so much!
I'm trying to figure out why I am so mesmerized by this and I think it has to do with the the fact that opening this crate puts a person yet another step closer to old motorcycle history. The whole packaging and the contents remind a person of what life was like back then. We feel the giddiness of seeing a brand new piece of finely crafted machinery, just like they did so many years ago.
Even into the 70's all motorcycles came with a tool kit so you could do all of the maintenance yourself. Now the damned things don't even have a center stand.
Quality made in America, back in those days we didn't have a government willing to sell out America for cheap Chinese labor. All things were made here in America by American workers for American people.
im a carpenter so I was thinking about those screws and nails each hole was bored with a brace and bit and countersuit for the screws which were then screwed in by hand. It took longer to build that crate than a 50 modern engines.
As a former Motorcycle Mechanic and Workshop owner I was delighted when this video popped up, and quite enthralled at seeing history unravelled right before my eyes! I am particularly impressed with the Presenter's knowledge and enthusiasm and really happy to subscribe. To think that fellow Mechanics would have been gratefully receiving boxes like this in order to get the bikes up and running again for their Brothers In Arms is fantastic. Thank you for making and sharing this excellent video!
@@baconeater312 Had it not been for this incredible museum, we'd never get to see such lovely, vintage stuff. As with everything else, the market establishes supply and demand, and with such rare machines the availability will surely not match the demand.
Whats even more amazing is that the original owner had that crate for all of those decades and never had the desire to even open it to see what treasure was inside. It would have driven me insane not to have opened it on the very first day of ownership!
somehow I blundered here, but wow!. . . I am an air-cooled engine fan. I drive a 62 year-old vw and this crate and this motor just made my weekend. thanks for taking good care of keeping the crate intact as well. It alone is also an important time capsule :)
My dad is a wwll navy vet he had some stories bout his Indian. A couple years after the war ended he purchased a '48 chief. I have had a love for the Indian mainly because of my dad.
@@sameoldstuff3988 In the 19-teens, my grandfather's family vehicle was a Harley with a sidecar. In the 1920s he got an Indian with a sidecar. I have pictures of them both.
The adult in me loves how these jewels are being preserved for posterity. But the kid in me wants to strap that to a go cart and blast through the neighborhood with straight pipes.
Mil spec was consistent for government purchases for the military. Cosmoline was the commonly used anti oxidant, sprayed on as a thin liquid which solidified into a greasy wax coating. It was used on engine internals also.
Overpackaged a little. Screws don't need to be that long. But yeah, that was the ethos of the day. They struggled for reliability on fine parts like carburettors but "over engineered" where they could.
@@Jamcam99 For sure. Its all we had. I love old reliable stuff, we had a huge clunky water pump on one farm that ran for 60 years. Not sure if any modern pumps out there can or will do that. Automotively I reckon we peaked with 1990's Toyota's. Lots of those models were capable of and did achieve one million kilometers (600 000 miles). And for trucks maybe the Kenworths of the same era. I wonder how many "ad blue" trucks are achieving one million miles?
When I just married in Newmarket Ontario Canada in 1972 there was an army surplus store that was selling surplus Triumphs still in their crates and they were cheap
After the second world war they had loads of surplus trucks, they all got auctioned off. One guy bought one and in the back it was full of brand new HD 45s in there boxes. You bought the truck and what ever was in it. If I recall it was in a army base in Oxford.
This is the type of stuff that gets me excited. New-old stock of not just vintage parts and accessories but military parts and accessories from WWII!! These engines would help people finish full restoration projects.
7:38 That's not dust - it's called BLOOM. A normal part of the aging process of natural rubber. I have seen it on all kinds of stuff, such as old gas masks, etc.
@@dvig3261 Agreed. I think if anyone was to run that engine it would be a REALLY good idea to take it apart, clean everything and replace all the gaskets and seals. It was designed to be run right out of the box 80 years ago, it wasn't designed to sit for 80 years.
Now that I think on it,that bloom is excess sulfur from the vulcanisation process. As you say,a natural part of the aging process. Those high tension wires would,I imagine,be pretty hard by now. Not sure if they would be wire center core or graphite center core. Nothing wrong with them as is,but replacement with something that matches specification but modern would guarantee a reliable spark.
In 1976-1977 they were tearing down a old garage near the Heidelberg Army Airfield and they found two 1940’s Military Motorcycles still in crates that had been hidden for over 30 years, Heard the owner of property sold them for about $200 USD .
Thank you for sharing this experience! I am so thankful for all the time and money that you're organization has invested. The general public has the opportunity to see all these historical pieces on display and even running at times, rather than being hidden away in a private collection. Thank you.
Its hard to believe military surplus like this is still hanging around after all these decades specially Indian motorcycle components, my grandfather owned Indian Motorcycle after the war was over have few pictures hanging around the house with him ridding the bike amazing machine.
I remember years ago Dale went to a woman’s house, I don’t remember if she was a widow or if it was her collection she inherited from her father. But anyhow her warehouse was full of surplus NOS Harley military parts. I think Dale was even looking for a certain fuel tank and found it. But he was like a kid in a candy store.
Back when I was in high school in the late '70's, I drove by a man's house in Portland, Texas and saw a beautiful gloss black post WWII Harley V-twin in a man's driveway. I didn't know if it was a 45 or 90 CI engine, just that it was low to the ground, relatively small and with a big saddle. This man was doing plumbing work for a lady in Louisiana and found this unrestored Harley in the lady's garage, where her son had stored it before going to Korea and getting KIA. He bought it for $180.00 and restored it to a glossy black. I cannot even imagine how difficult that would have been back in the 1970's prior to the internet, especially in South Texas! I saw him ride the bike around town a few times, but being a teenager I had no idea how rare it was-I just liked the way it looked:)-John in Texas
I have missed you and your Dad on tv for some years now; I’m so excited to have run across your CZcams channel! I remember being stationed at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station in 1969 and having a opportunity to buy five military Harley’s still in crates for $50. 00 each and not being able to come up with the cash! Thanks for the memories!
F-4'J and S hydraulics 6054 sidebrace actuators made good log - splitter At 65 I don't ride mainly motor cross Penton Hodaka super Rat Hell of a Showroom !
Been to Wheels Through Time twice when Your Dad was there during Maggie Valley Bike Rally's.Enjoyed both visits and think it really Cool what Your Dad and You have done.Keep up the great work.
It was a cool experience when he was there during a visit. He walked up to someone looking at one of the bikes, and start talking about it. Then he started the bike.
I still remember seeing the ads from Triangle Motors in Chicago in the late 60's. Harley 45 cu in flatheads. brand NEW. in the crate for $79.95. Wanted to buy one in the worst way, but was still in school...no$
I moved to Chicago in 84 was that the place on Armitage? I got there just as the place was folding, it was pretty sad, I believe the son ran it into the ground, and he was giving stuff away,
@John Alarcon Spitfire was a British Small Arms ( BSA ) motorcycle model . Triumph made Bonneville , Tiger and Thunderbird models in a 650 cc capacity , could it have been one of those ?
That was cool thanks for sharing it. My great grandpa was a US Army motorcycle scout or messenger who drove an HD in WWI, I remember my grandpa telling me stories that his dad had told him about the old bike he drove in the war.
Back in the late 70's I worked for a railroad salvage company in Pittsburgh PA. The owner Stan had bought a warehouse that was three stories high and packed with who knows what. On the top floor there were 20 ft rolls of carpet, but you could see a space in the back corner that was occupied by a crate. My co worker Tom and I dug our way back to it, and inside was a 1938 Indian motorcycle still in the box! We were not very smart, and we figured since we found it, we at least thought we would get to put it together and ride it. Needless to say Stan was on the phone and within an hour had the thing sold for an undisclosed amount of cash. He did reward us. That summer he closed his business for 4 weeks and let all of his employees hang out at his private cabin/lake. I sure wish I had got to ride that thing. At 63 I ride my Candy Plasma Blue Ninja every day to the bike shop where I work, but you always remember the one that got away........
Very awsome. Thank you for sharing. History gotta love it. I can even imagine the old school smell emanating from that old crate when you cracked that top off. Absolutely love vintage.
Phenomenal. Beautiful quality. Consider yourselves fortunate gentlemen, to have that privilege in touching history. We are desperate for that type of craftsmanship to begin again in the US.
Absolutely amazing. My mother‘s uncle had an Indian with a sidecar. He went on races around the county with his wife in the sidecar who was rather large. On the straights he didn’t do too well but on the curves could really go fast I am told. My mother rode in a sidecar once and I think you can understand the rest of the story. He also had a biplane but that’s another story.
*I just found out this is in NC like 1 hour from where I live! I'm defiently gonna come check this place out! Thanks for sharing the crate opening with us!*
Mate that was great. More power to you and what you do. Not a massive MC fan but I do like watching people who appreciate something that much. Your stuff is Great
That crate itself is a gem too, IMHO! Looks great, can be used for some amazing upcycles! Nothing more fun than "new old stock." Glad y'all didn't have a "Geraldo moment!"
It's humbling to realize the guy who drove the last screw into the top of that crate so long ago is long dead by now. How thrilling to see this piece of history unveiled.
May not be dead, probably? Yea probably is dead but could have been a 16 year old kid that put that last screw in and would be 96 now which isn’t unheard of. Definitely not long dead though
"I'm taking a chance that it still runs, got to have it framed, that's not cheap. We're talking a niche market so it's going to sit on my shelf for awhile, take up valuable display space. Tell you what, I'll go as high as $275, not a penny more." - Rick from Pawn Stars
i know someone that baited Rick with a brand new they took it out of the crate custom Harley with all options and he said he would only give then 11k, and the bike was easily 3 times that. they even had a Harley dealer there as one of the sellers friends with the Mso, and build sheet and options addon list
You know that quite a few items are prearranged scripted sells. Watch some of the collectors shows sometimes. Items will show up on both shows. Either to be appraised, auctioned, or sold.
Thank you. The best motorcycle museum in the world. Been there. And it only gets better. Dale is one of a kind. Hard to fill his shoes. Carry on with this amazing museum.
You see those two vertical posts on the sides with the black bolts near the top. If they had unbolted those i have a feeling the outside create would have slid up and remained intact.
@@robedmund9948 wen we get industrial parts in a wooden crate take out all the screws leave the nails the crate will come apart - and go back together - they ruined a good crate
Love these kind of videos, especially seeing stuff made and built by the greatest generation, geez i miss my grandparents, they were from Mexico but they had the same mentality, built to last, my grandfathers home and the furniture he hand built is still being used to this day!
I know a guy who has a world war 2 Harley motor ,just like that crate, unopened. I think he has 80 Harleys ,oldest is 1919,?,i think, truly a sight to see, it is overwhelming for the eyes. Great vid thanks
What I find really interesting about the crate is that at the time there was no such thing as a shipping container. That engines siblings would have traveled across the ocean loose somewhere on the ship. Nowadays that motor still might be in a crate but that crate will go in a conex box that won’t be emptied until much later on.
Just saw this video. Very cool to think that an old engine like that was out there. You seemed shocked about the "65 Octane" tag. The so called "White" gasoline is known today by camping fuel. (for lanterns and stoves) So that was designed to run on what they had... fuel for the lanterns and stoves in the military. Great vid.
It can't be dust on the plug wires or everything else in there would be covered with just as much dust. I'm guessing it's the rubber oxidizing or disintegrating.
@@keithhatch56 What do you expect, they aren't rich enough to have a museum full of wonderful antique motorcycles and brand new engines to do whatever they want with... Gee, must be rough.
My grandfather had a '41 or '42 Indian Chief that he bought while he was in the Army. He ended up selling it in the early '90s when he went blind and could no longer work on it, let alone ride it.
Yep so those of us who have an old Indian will never be able to get them. He can gloat and brag about all the parts he charges people to come look at. Like a child with a new toy " hahaha look at what I have and you don't"
@@briantolley854 saw that movie when I was 7 years old fluffy scared the bejeezus out of me. Didn't Hal Holbrooks feed his obnoxious alcoholic wife to it.
I'm not in to motorcycles of vehicle collecting, but I AM a collector/hobbyist too, and in my own field I've had finds similar to this. There is no describing the rush one gets from this sort of thing to someone who doesn't Collect. Even though bikes are not my thing, I can feel the excitement right along with them because I've experienced it myself. There's NOTHING like a one-of-a-kind find like this being seen for the first time and added to the collection. Christmas X 1000.
Amazing find!! Keep our 2 wheel history alive!!.....from Wyoming USA 🔫🤠🇺🇸p.s stay safe and healthy everybody GOD BLESS OUR COUNTRY AND stop this foolishness ❤
I remember some one telling me about buying an army surplus lorry in the mid 1980s. To use as a farm vehicle, the back of the lorry was full with twenty large packing cases. He checked with the auction company and was told that it was sold as seen, so anything inside the vehicle was also his. When he got back to the farm he opened a crate and found a new BSA motorcycle in parts. He kept one bike for himself and sold each of the others for what he had paid for the lorry.
What's almost as amazing as the motor is that the finger prints of the person that put it in there 80 years ago look like they could have made just now!
I'm amazed, the wooden crate built 80 years ago is in better condition than 98% of what we buy nowadays after a week of use!!!
dan wilson Because it’s not made in China
I've bought and sold countless old crates in my antique business. They are damn near indestructible.
They don't make trees like they used to
@@historybuff9276 just read your comment I'm laughing my ass off
Makes ya wonder, don't it?
A shout out for the guys who preserved the wood and made and assembled the crate, back in the days when pride in one's work and real craftmanship was the norm, rather than the exception.
My dad bought a used military Indian motorcycle when he was young. He wanted another one so badly. He was 73 and rode the day he died.
Good for your dad, just riding out. 🙏🏽
Bless.
Man I hope I can do that at 73 . You can be very proud of your dad .
They were BAD ! Sidecar optional !
@@waynedavis7245 I hope I make it to 73!!!! Good for him!
No rot or damage from insects, tight and secure from the day it was packed. Just incredible.
I love that he's opening that crate with a hundred year old screwdriver!...Perfect! I'm not a motorcycle guy, but I absolutely love people who preserve and show old machines, whether cars, bikes or machinery. Much respect to our forefathers..
I second this comment
👍👍👍😜🏴🦕🦄😁🤞✌
Those weren't Philips?
The greasy fingerprints of one of the workers are still on the inside of the box. Adds a real human element to it.
That’s really cool.
I would keep that.
I’d hire a professional to lift the prints to see if he could find the owner (worker).
You beat me to it... that is surprising. 😂😉
Fingerprints? It's common knowledge Indian Co..used pygmies to assemble sections while being shipped. That's why there are fingerprints in the box. Or maybe not..lol
I wouldn't even remove the motor, I'd place a slab of tempered glass over that opening and have the most badass coffee table of all time .
Golly G. DeWillikers Same.
Agreed, that would be an awesome coffee table.
Hell I want it to run and let it sing it's song, these old motors are the coolest
Agree 100%
Exactly what I came to the comments to say. You could even add some edge or back lighting to it and it would make a beautiful piece.
Would anything oxidize on that engine now that it's open? I am not sure if the wood crate was a perfect seal.
Now that was a hell of a lot more exciting than when Geraldo Rivera opened up Al Capone's safe😜
That dude needs hit the face with a chair
Ah yes, the finder of lost vaults! Did he ever come off embarrassed that night!
Everything is more exciting than Jerry Rivers opening the vault! Ahhhhhh, those were simpler times, weren't they? Ya it was "crazy", but it was crazy that made sense. Today's crazy is upside down and backwards!
@@mikenickel373
I think our expectations are far higher these days. 😷😷😷
@@mikenickel373 todays crazy is on the level of Charles Manson.
Getting my head around the fact that the motor had been sitting in that crate for 24 years when I was born in 1965! This is so cool.
My Dad was stationed at Fort Knox during WWII. He was and instructor teaching the guys how to put Indian Motorcycles together and take them apart. I sure wish he was around to see this video of yours! Thanks so much!
I'm trying to figure out why I am so mesmerized by this and I think it has to do with the the fact that opening this crate puts a person yet another step closer to old motorcycle history. The whole packaging and the contents remind a person of what life was like back then. We feel the giddiness of seeing a brand new piece of finely crafted machinery, just like they did so many years ago.
I agree with your statement. I can feel like I'm closer to those days with this stuff from back in the day. 🇺🇸♥️
Even into the 70's all motorcycles came with a tool kit so you could do all of the maintenance yourself. Now the damned things don't even have a center stand.
Yep all by hand, no CNC machines
Quality made in America, back in those days we didn't have a government willing to sell out America for cheap Chinese labor. All things were made here in America by American workers for American people.
im a carpenter so I was thinking about those screws and nails each hole was bored with a brace and bit and countersuit for the screws which were then screwed in by hand. It took longer to build that crate than a 50 modern engines.
As a former Motorcycle Mechanic and Workshop owner I was delighted when this video popped up, and quite enthralled at seeing history unravelled right before my eyes!
I am particularly impressed with the Presenter's knowledge and enthusiasm and really happy to subscribe.
To think that fellow Mechanics would have been gratefully receiving boxes like this in order to get the bikes up and running again for their Brothers In Arms is fantastic.
Thank you for making and sharing this excellent video!
it bothers me to some degree that people are mass buying these essentially drying up the market for those that want to bring old bikes back to life
@@baconeater312 Had it not been for this incredible museum, we'd never get to see such lovely, vintage stuff.
As with everything else, the market establishes supply and demand, and with such rare machines the availability will surely not match the demand.
Betchya he never seen either war, or Nam for that matter. :)
Whats even more amazing is that the original owner had that crate for all of those decades and never had the desire to even open it to see what treasure was inside. It would have driven me insane not to have opened it on the very first day of ownership!
somehow I blundered here, but wow!. . . I am an air-cooled engine fan. I drive a 62 year-old vw and this crate and this motor just made my weekend. thanks for taking good care of keeping the crate intact as well. It alone is also an important time capsule :)
I’m not even a motorcycle guy or owner, and this is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen!
You must not get out much.
@@haywoodyoudome get out every day lol. I just love mechanical history shit.
As a Navy Vet it's my favorite part of the museum. Amazing what those old bikes could do up and over the hills protecting our Freedom. Go Navy
I've always wanted a restored wln... a lot harder to find than the wla models
My dad is a wwll navy vet he had some stories bout his Indian. A couple years after the war ended he purchased a '48 chief. I have had a love for the Indian mainly because of my dad.
After our time in the service, there is nothing better than the back roads of America on a Harley. Ride Free thanks for Freedom
@@sameoldstuff3988 In the 19-teens, my grandfather's family vehicle was a Harley with a sidecar. In the 1920s he got an Indian with a sidecar. I have pictures of them both.
“Protecting our freedom.” Hah! That’s so adorable of you to still think.
The adult in me loves how these jewels are being preserved for posterity. But the kid in me wants to strap that to a go cart and blast through the neighborhood with straight pipes.
My wild azz cousin installed a small Studibaker six on a Simplex go kart many yern ago. NO CLUTCH!
@@gphilipc2031 that's what I'm talking about. That sounds crazy and fun. I like it.
It belongs on a chopper.
@@filthyanimal874 I won't argue that 😁
@@gphilipc2031 Only weakling need a clutch anyway. real men start on the go
Incredible from the days when things where packaged properly.
And built too last
Mil spec was consistent for government purchases for the military. Cosmoline was the commonly used anti oxidant, sprayed on as a thin liquid which solidified into a greasy wax coating. It was used on engine internals also.
Overpackaged a little. Screws don't need to be that long. But yeah, that was the ethos of the day. They struggled for reliability on fine parts like carburettors but "over engineered" where they could.
Yes not just built for a specific amount of use or mileage then scrapped. They where built to be maintained and repaired with simple tools.
@@Jamcam99 For sure. Its all we had. I love old reliable stuff, we had a huge clunky water pump on one farm that ran for 60 years. Not sure if any modern pumps out there can or will do that.
Automotively I reckon we peaked with 1990's Toyota's. Lots of those models were capable of and did achieve one million kilometers (600 000 miles). And for trucks maybe the Kenworths of the same era. I wonder how many "ad blue" trucks are achieving one million miles?
Wow, how is it even possible that stuff like this exists!? Impressive!!!!!
Incredible to have one still in the crate! Freakin awesome!
That's so cool. I wish i was there to smell that box when you opened it (that came out wrong) That old antique wood smell is intoxicating. So cool
@Midwest Mafia Box sniffer
A fresh box smells way better than antique wood.
@@theupscriber65 Now THAT'S funny !! 😅😅
What ever turns you on ha ha,!!
If it smells like Cologne I still wouldn’t leave it alone.
When I just married in Newmarket Ontario Canada in 1972 there was an army surplus store that was selling surplus Triumphs still in their crates and they were cheap
I went to an (UK) autojumble in the 80's and was suprised they were selling vintage Triumph engines in sealed wooden crates
Wow 😮
After the second world war they had loads of surplus trucks, they all got auctioned off. One guy bought one and in the back it was full of brand new HD 45s in there boxes. You bought the truck and what ever was in it.
If I recall it was in a army base in Oxford.
mike hardwick . 1972 I attended Pickering College. Couldn’t resist.
One word comes to mind. "Beautiful" What more can be said.
Thought you was gonna say uhhh
The finger prints inside the box really provide a connection to the unkown person who sealed the crate so many years ago.
This is the type of stuff that gets me excited. New-old stock of not just vintage parts and accessories but military parts and accessories from WWII!! These engines would help people finish full restoration projects.
7:38 That's not dust - it's called BLOOM. A normal part of the aging process of natural rubber. I have seen it on all kinds of stuff, such as old gas masks, etc.
Yeah that bloom dust is a sign that this is NOT a plug and play set up, anymore.
@@dvig3261 Agreed. I think if anyone was to run that engine it would be a REALLY good idea to take it apart, clean everything and replace all the gaskets and seals. It was designed to be run right out of the box 80 years ago, it wasn't designed to sit for 80 years.
Yeah, I wouldn't run it without a rebuild. The gaskets are done for.
@@frankconley6321 that motor doesn't use rubber gaskets lol it would run fine.
Now that I think on it,that bloom is excess sulfur from the vulcanisation process. As you say,a natural part of the aging process. Those high tension wires would,I imagine,be pretty hard by now.
Not sure if they would be wire center core or graphite center core. Nothing wrong with them as is,but replacement with something that matches specification but modern would guarantee a reliable spark.
In 1976-1977 they were tearing down a old garage near the Heidelberg Army Airfield and they found two 1940’s Military Motorcycles still in crates that had been hidden for over 30 years, Heard the owner of property sold them for about $200 USD .
Yes then that persn sold for 600K USD each unreal
I was a teenage dependent in Heidelberg at the time, I remember hearing about those.
That was cool to see. Like opening a time capsule. Thanks for sharing this experience with us. 👍👍
Wow super cool. The feeling to actually open that would be amazing. Thanks for sharing
Definitely a bucket list item to come check out the museum
Absolutely amazing. Real history in a crate. Sooo cool.
Thank you for sharing this experience! I am so thankful for all the time and money that you're organization has invested. The general public has the opportunity to see all these historical pieces on display and even running at times, rather than being hidden away in a private collection. Thank you.
Phenomenal piece of history,I'm impressed to say the least....
Video titled "unpacking" length... 9:46
Actual unpacking starts at 6:00.....
Its hard to believe military surplus like this is still hanging around after all these decades specially Indian motorcycle components, my grandfather owned Indian Motorcycle after the war was over have few pictures hanging around the house with him ridding the bike amazing machine.
I remember years ago Dale went to a woman’s house, I don’t remember if she was a widow or if it was her collection she inherited from her father. But anyhow her warehouse was full of surplus NOS Harley military parts. I think Dale was even looking for a certain fuel tank and found it. But he was like a kid in a candy store.
Back when I was in high school in the late '70's, I drove by a man's house in Portland, Texas and saw a beautiful gloss black post WWII Harley V-twin in a man's driveway. I didn't know if it was a 45 or 90 CI engine, just that it was low to the ground, relatively small and with a big saddle. This man was doing plumbing work for a lady in Louisiana and found this unrestored Harley in the lady's garage, where her son had stored it before going to Korea and getting KIA. He bought it for $180.00 and restored it to a glossy black. I cannot even imagine how difficult that would have been back in the 1970's prior to the internet, especially in South Texas! I saw him ride the bike around town a few times, but being a teenager I had no idea how rare it was-I just liked the way it looked:)-John in Texas
I have missed you and your Dad on tv for some years now; I’m so excited to have run across your CZcams channel!
I remember being stationed at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station in 1969 and having a opportunity to buy five military Harley’s still in crates for $50. 00 each and not being able to come up with the cash!
Thanks for the memories!
Beaufort MCAS Yuma once a Yr ! Them Gems are still around Indians or Harley's I got an Ideal make a mini T-38 out of a Bobcat !
F-4'J and S hydraulics 6054 sidebrace actuators made good log - splitter At 65 I don't ride mainly motor cross Penton Hodaka super Rat Hell of a Showroom !
Finally, an unboxing video on CZcams that those born last century can relate to! 🏆🇬🇧
Been to Wheels Through Time twice when Your Dad was there during Maggie Valley Bike Rally's.Enjoyed both visits and think it really Cool what Your Dad and You have done.Keep up the great work.
It was a cool experience when he was there during a visit. He walked up to someone looking at one of the bikes, and start talking about it. Then he started the bike.
How they survived to this day is a testament of the quality of materials and craftsmanship.
Really cool, I have an old photo of my father on one of these Indian motorcycles during WWII. He served in North Africa, Sicily and Italy.
I still remember seeing the ads from Triangle Motors in Chicago in the late 60's. Harley 45 cu in flatheads. brand NEW. in the crate for $79.95. Wanted to buy one in the worst way, but was still in school...no$
I moved to Chicago in 84 was that the place on Armitage? I got there just as the place was folding, it was pretty sad, I believe the son ran it into the ground, and he was giving stuff away,
Isn't that how it goes though? And later, when you might have a few bucks, you're too old to enjoy it.
@John Alarcon Spitfire was a British Small Arms ( BSA ) motorcycle model .
Triumph made Bonneville , Tiger and Thunderbird models in a 650 cc capacity , could it have been one of those ?
See... School ruins another life.... :)
Simply incredible. Felt like a snapshot in time. God Bless you guys and your shop.
I love historical places like this keeping history alive instead of dying.
That was cool thanks for sharing it. My great grandpa was a US Army motorcycle scout or messenger who drove an HD in WWI, I remember my grandpa telling me stories that his dad had told him about the old bike he drove in the war.
Your enthusiasm and care , the way you handle the old ladies is a recommendation on its own . Good job 👍🇬🇧
What a time capsule! Geez that’s amazing. Real old American iron in a wooden crate, not a Hollywood set. All so amazing, kinda breathtaking!
WOW! Simply beautiful . Somebody should get the drawings and start reproducing these functioning works of art.
That would be cool
Kiwi Indian motorcycles.They repop everything, frames, motors, parts ad whole bikes. You're wish has been granted.
Easily done with laser scans and computers
yfelwulf now yer talking - with good scans and a mill you could be turning out new motors and parts in no time
Whoa that's just incredible. Now do that thing some justice and assemble a bike around it .
If he can get a brand new frame and everything else he would have a zero time bike from that era. It would be priceless.
Kinda doubt it with two right behind it just sitting.
Back in the late 70's I worked for a railroad salvage company in Pittsburgh PA. The owner Stan had bought a warehouse that was three stories high and packed with who knows what. On the top floor there were 20 ft rolls of carpet, but you could see a space in the back corner that was occupied by a crate. My co worker Tom and I dug our way back to it, and inside was a 1938 Indian motorcycle still in the box! We were not very smart, and we figured since we found it, we at least thought we would get to put it together and ride it. Needless to say Stan was on the phone and within an hour had the thing sold for an undisclosed amount of cash. He did reward us. That summer he closed his business for 4 weeks and let all of his employees hang out at his private cabin/lake. I sure wish I had got to ride that thing. At 63 I ride my Candy Plasma Blue Ninja every day to the bike shop where I work, but you always remember the one that got away........
That crate belonged to my dad! We really enjoyed watching this video. He’s waited along time for that unveiling!
That is truly in incredible shape, looks like it could have been built & created last week.
Very awsome. Thank you for sharing. History gotta love it. I can even imagine the old school smell emanating from that old crate when you cracked that top off. Absolutely love vintage.
THIS video is the best UNBOXING I have ever seen! Thanks Matt! No other unboxing vids can compare to this old beauty. :)
Phenomenal. Beautiful quality. Consider yourselves fortunate gentlemen, to have that privilege in touching history. We are desperate for that type of craftsmanship to begin again in the US.
Absolutely amazing. My mother‘s uncle had an Indian with a sidecar. He went on races around the county with his wife in the sidecar who was rather large. On the straights he didn’t do too well but on the curves could really go fast I am told. My mother rode in a sidecar once and I think you can understand the rest of the story. He also had a biplane but that’s another story.
0:10 "Just got this in through the back door a few minutes ago..."
Phrasing!
LOL
Zeppelin would've said "In through the out door."
This had to be one of the coolest motorcycle history videos I have ever seen!! Absolutely loved it!
*I just found out this is in NC like 1 hour from where I live! I'm defiently gonna come check this place out! Thanks for sharing the crate opening with us!*
Mate that was great.
More power to you and what you do.
Not a massive MC fan but I do like watching people who appreciate something that much. Your stuff is Great
That crate itself is a gem too, IMHO! Looks great, can be used for some amazing upcycles! Nothing more fun than "new old stock." Glad y'all didn't have a "Geraldo moment!"
It's humbling to realize the guy who drove the last screw into the top of that crate so long ago is long dead by now. How thrilling to see this piece of history unveiled.
May not be dead, probably? Yea probably is dead but could have been a 16 year old kid that put that last screw in and would be 96 now which isn’t unheard of. Definitely not long dead though
"I'm taking a chance that it still runs, got to have it framed, that's not cheap. We're talking a niche market so it's going to sit on my shelf for awhile, take up valuable display space. Tell you what, I'll go as high as $275, not a penny more."
- Rick from Pawn Stars
"and that's only after it has been authenticated by my friend Mark from the Military museum. These are counterfeited more then you think"
The beard of knowledge.
i know someone that baited Rick with a brand new they took it out of the crate custom Harley with all options and he said he would only give then 11k, and the bike was easily 3 times that. they even had a Harley dealer there as one of the sellers friends with the Mso, and build sheet and options addon list
5:17. If you actually want to see what is inside.
You know that quite a few items are prearranged scripted sells. Watch some of the collectors shows sometimes. Items will show up on both shows. Either to be appraised, auctioned, or sold.
Amazing, makes you wonder just how much of this kind of stuff is still out there.
Thank you. The best motorcycle museum in the world. Been there. And it only gets better. Dale is one of a kind. Hard to fill his shoes. Carry on with this amazing museum.
That was an exciting video!!! The fact that it's been sealed up sence 41/42. Seeing this is just cool. Thanks for sharing this experience guys!
You guys have an AWESOME Museum! I hope to get back there someday soon.
Thank you for allowing me to watch this once in a lifetime experience 🗿
I think I would have pulled the boards off the other side. Leave the labeled side together.
I'm hoping it was labeled on both sides.
You see those two vertical posts on the sides with the black bolts near the top. If they had unbolted those i have a feeling the outside create would have slid up and remained intact.
@@fallenrei HaHaHaHaHaHa!! You could be right! He just ruined the crate!
@@fallenrei Good eye, but until the top was off no way to know that.
@@robedmund9948 wen we get industrial parts in a wooden crate take out all the screws leave the nails the crate will come apart - and go back together - they ruined a good crate
Love these kind of videos, especially seeing stuff made and built by the greatest generation, geez i miss my grandparents, they were from Mexico but they had the same mentality, built to last, my grandfathers home and the furniture he hand built is still being used to this day!
I know a guy who has a world war 2 Harley motor ,just like that crate, unopened. I think he has 80 Harleys ,oldest is 1919,?,i think, truly a sight to see, it is overwhelming for the eyes. Great vid thanks
"It belongs in a museum!"
Indy, it is in a museum
Man I’d pull those Indian spark plugs and put them under glass. What a find!
Hope your Pops knew you were cracking it open without him!
I was so hoping that the second crate was the ark of the covenant and they're faces would have melted off😆
If I had read further down in the comments I wouldn't have had to post my comment.
😉
Was thinking 🤔 these guys didn't keep their eyes closed! That's risky 😬
What I find really interesting about the crate is that at the time there was no such thing as a shipping container. That engines siblings would have traveled across the ocean loose somewhere on the ship. Nowadays that motor still might be in a crate but that crate will go in a conex box that won’t be emptied until much later on.
Just saw this video. Very cool to think that an old engine like that was out there. You seemed shocked about the "65 Octane" tag. The so called "White" gasoline is known today by camping fuel. (for lanterns and stoves) So that was designed to run on what they had... fuel for the lanterns and stoves in the military. Great vid.
... and Dale's gonna be ".. YOU DID WHAAT!!" 😀
A dream come true , mindboggling...Crazy...
CZcams Algorithm: wanna see whats in this 80 year old crate?
Me: ...well what is it?
reminds me of the simpsons ....or you can trade it all in for whats in this box
@@baconeater312 Something about an old military crate just screams... "Arc of the Covenant"!!!
That's one beautiful crate, fantastic. Lovely wood, great markings, wonderful condition.
Absolutely LOVE Wheels Through Time. I'd really really like to get there again.
No freakn way, priceless vintage badass motor, I'll take 2
coolest thing ive ever seen thanx guys made my day for sure
Wish people were like they were back when this was built
what? hairier?
Thanks for sharing this special moment with the rest of us. Hope to visit that museum someday.
A testimony to the craftsmanship of the time.
After seeing this motor, I can imagine, somewhere Mike Wolfe is having a BORE-gasm.
I was thinking the same thing as i was watching..lmao
O0
Give him time. He'll show up eventually if only to gawk and salivate, lol.
It can't be dust on the plug wires or everything else in there would be covered with just as much dust. I'm guessing it's the rubber oxidizing or disintegrating.
Pretty brutal tearing that old crate open like that.
With screwdrivers instead of pry bars to boot.
You could have built something with the wood
I know right? Totally butchered it on film
And they opened it backwards too
@@gibsondrummer Ladys and gentlemen, introducing the peanut gallery.
@@keithhatch56 What do you expect, they aren't rich enough to have a museum full of wonderful antique motorcycles and brand new engines to do whatever they want with... Gee, must be rough.
My grandfather had a '41 or '42 Indian Chief that he bought while he was in the Army. He ended up selling it in the early '90s when he went blind and could no longer work on it, let alone ride it.
We all miss Dale !! Such an american motorsport icon !!!
“Once in a lifetime opportunity”
Has 3 in his shop...
Yep so those of us who have an old Indian will never be able to get them. He can gloat and brag about all the parts he charges people to come look at. Like a child with a new toy " hahaha look at what I have and you don't"
@@diemaschine2287 money talks, bullshit walks.
You guys ever see the movie "Creep Show" and the story of the crate?
*Crate starts shaking*
Yeah I was hoping it was "Fluffy" too!
Damnnit, I was gonna say that....or the ark of the covenant!
@@briantolley854 saw that movie when I was 7 years old fluffy scared the bejeezus out of me. Didn't Hal Holbrooks feed his obnoxious alcoholic wife to it.
@@guyharrison909 yes, yes he did!
Really neat new invention called a “cordless drill” .... lol.
That’s not as dramatic as taking time to unscrew manually. They’re trying to creat suspense!
80yrs ago they used nails.
No 80 years ago they used brass flat head screws .. I’d say David Turk is correct. And maybe you didn’t notice the lol.
I was kidding ....
Remember the yankee drill.
What an honor and a thrill to see this
I'm not in to motorcycles of vehicle collecting, but I AM a collector/hobbyist too, and in my own field I've had finds similar to this.
There is no describing the rush one gets from this sort of thing to someone who doesn't Collect.
Even though bikes are not my thing, I can feel the excitement right along with them because I've experienced it myself.
There's NOTHING like a one-of-a-kind find like this being seen for the first time and added to the collection.
Christmas X 1000.
Amazing find!! Keep our 2 wheel history alive!!.....from Wyoming USA 🔫🤠🇺🇸p.s stay safe and healthy everybody GOD BLESS OUR COUNTRY AND stop this foolishness ❤
Your country needs health and safety with more COVID cases than anywhere in the world, keep up the safe distancing
Someone should send this video to antique archeology Re: Mike Wolf, he would soil his pants for sure lol 🏍
🤣😂haaa!
Mike and this guy and his pa are close friends,
@@steventalbott903 it figures, Mike Wolfe seems to know everyone that has old indians and harley's 👍.
Gotta say though, it always bothered me to see a bunch of old motorcycles all stuck in one place like that when people could be riding them instead...
Agree, that motor needs a frame to be in so it can make some noise.
@@davebryant8050 oh the joy from cars like that. Those where the days when you drove the streets making beautiful noise with fine cars.
I remember some one telling me about buying an army surplus lorry in the mid 1980s. To use as a farm vehicle, the back of the lorry was full with twenty large packing cases. He checked with the auction company and was told that it was sold as seen, so anything inside the vehicle was also his. When he got back to the farm he opened a crate and found a new BSA motorcycle in parts. He kept one bike for himself and sold each of the others for what he had paid for the lorry.
What's almost as amazing as the motor is that the finger prints of the person that put it in there 80 years ago look like they could have made just now!