36 Indian head light color

[stan]

What would be the correct head light color for the 36 Indian? Would it be the same color as the frame? What about chrome. Thanks Stan

[vlscout]

Stan
All the written information I have says black !
Regards Phil

[20scout]

I agree with vlscout.

[dfauch]

Stan,
I have seen the entire bike painted one color, headlight, frame, handlebars the whole shebang.
How correct that is I cannot say,but it is documented that for an extra $5.00 the bike could be painted any color made by DuPont in dulux enamel.
According to Rob Markey, Bob's indian in Etters, PA, There was also custom pinstriping available. He further informed me that beginning in 36 that the list of chromed accessories was very extensive. You may want to get in touch with him.
I personally prefer the black headlight and no chrome treatment as mine is.

[36Indy]

chrome it , gotta chrome those 36s to make them shine

[Mike337]

It’s my understanding from what I’ve seen of old factory photos that the headlight was black with a chrome ring. That being said Indian offered a “chrome package” with like 10 items plated but they didn’t list the items.

Chrome handlebars are listed in 37 as a $4.00 option and the chrome cross bar for $3.00. The parts catalog for 36-37 lists a headlight for each year for $5.50 but does not list a chrome one specifically as it does elsewhere in the book where painted or plated is available.

Robin can tell you best, but the DuPont rule on paint is any color offered by Dupont thru that current year or a blend they would have made. Keep in mind metallic wasn’t out till 39 I think. The frame was the same color as the bike. John Pierce is a great source for your paint. John Pierce Colorwrite paint for and how to paint Motorcycle Restorations

I went with the black headlight and chrome ring myself; the pic is on the profile page.

Mike

[dfauch]

Mike,
At the risk of getting off the thread topic, (and I'll double check when I get home tonight), I am pretty sure metallics were offered by DuPont in '36 because when I was selecting colors for mine I discounted them as an option.
I was working off of a CD purchased from and made by DuPont, Called their historical color library.
The reason I discounted the metallics was because the flakes used at that time were very large. If one were to buy the present day counterpart it would have a vastly different appearance due to the tiny flakes used today and nobody that I know will use the big ones.

[Mike337]

Dfauch,

I stand corrected, where as they describe it nothing like today’s metallic paints, I found reference to types of metallics at the Metallic Paint Works, Erie. Pa dating to the mid 1800’s and references to it on a 1927 Duesenberg. They also list Dupont Duco Lacquer as having one but I don’t know what it looks like. I’m not sure if any of it would translate to dulux enamel?? That’s why I went to John Pierce…LOL

Anyway,

Mike