MotoService Log
Indian Powerplus
Example photo: Rikki Mitterer, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Indian · Indian side-valve, total-loss (Powerplus, early Scout and Chief 1916-1932)

Powerplus

Library entry covers 1916-1924

2 factory 62 guideline

Published source

Correct Lubrication of Indian Motocycles: Chief, Scout and Standard Models (Indian factory booklet, mid-1920s; pages missing)

Factory owner's handbook. Covers Standard model, to 1924.

Open the source

64 items for a 1916 model, grouped by interval the way a factory chart is laid out.

How this bike is built (what the schedule is based on)
Engine cycle
Four-stroke
Engine lubrication
Total-loss (hand pump / drip feed / mechanical pump to waste)
Oil filtration
None (no filter)
Valve gear
Side valve (flathead)
Ignition
Magneto (incl. magdyno, flywheel magneto)
Charging
None (magneto only / no battery charging)
Battery
Wet cell (flooded lead-acid, needs topping up)
Fuel system
Single carburetor
Cooling
Air / oil cooled
Primary drive
Chain in oil-bath case with its own oil
Gearbox oil
Separate gearbox oil
Clutch control
Foot clutch / hand shift
Final drive
Chain
Front suspension
Leaf-spring fork (Indian, early BMW)
Rear suspension
Rigid (hardtail)
Front brake
Drum (or band / stirrup)
Rear brake
Drum (or band / belt rim)
Wheels
Spoked, tubed
Sidecar
No sidecar
Maintenance schedule

1916 Indian Powerplus

On the road: every 50 mi

1 item
  • Top up total-loss oil tank, check drip feed / pump rate
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline

    Total-loss engines burn their oil by design. Check the sight glass or drip rate and give hand-pump charges as the manual and conditions require.

On the road: every 300 mi

3 items
  • Acetylene / oil lamps: check carbide, water and wicks
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline
  • Check tire pressures
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline
  • Lubricate drive chain
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline

    Lube warm, ideally at the end of the riding day so it soaks in overnight. Sooner after rain.

On the road: every 500 mi

2 items
  • Grease girder / springer fork links
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline

    Grease gun on every nipple until clean grease shows. Touring days add up fast.

  • Walk-around: check nuts and bolts for vibration loosening
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline

    Old machines shake things loose: exhaust nuts, mudguard stays, footrests, tank mounts, battery strap.

On the road: every 600 mi

1 item
  • Check chain slack and rear wheel alignment
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline

On the road: every 1,000 mi

1 item
  • Check road kit: plugs, points file, master link, tube patches, wire, tape
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline

Every 500 mi

2 items
  • Drain residual oil from crankcase (total-loss)
    Engine
    Factory

    Manual: Draining and cleaning the crankcase (drain, flush with oil, refill to level). Factory: Booklet pages nine-ten: every 500 miles; no kerosene flushing

  • Check gearbox oil level
    Primary and gearbox
    Factory

    Manual: Check transmission and primary drive case oil level. Factory: Booklet page fourteen: every 500 miles, top up to level hole

Every 1,000 mi or 6 months

8 items
  • Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs
    Engine
    Guideline
  • Lubricate manual advance / retard control and cable
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline
  • Adjust foot clutch and hand-shift linkage, lubricate pivots
    Primary and gearbox
    Guideline
  • Adjust front drum brake
    Brakes
    Guideline
  • Adjust rear drum brake and rod / cable linkage
    Brakes
    Guideline
  • Check spoke tension and wheel true
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline
  • Inspect tire tread, sidewalls and date codes
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline
  • Lubricate control cables and lever pivots
    Controls and cables
    Guideline

Every 1,000 mi or 12 months

2 items
  • Change primary chaincase oil
    Primary and gearbox
    Guideline
  • Grease saddle pivot, check saddle springs / seat post
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline

Every 1,500 mi or 6 months

2 items
  • Clean / inspect air filter
    Fuel and air
    Guideline

    Mesh or oiled foam: clean and re-oil. Paper: blow out or replace. Some very early machines have no filter at all.

  • Clean drive chain thoroughly (remove and soak, re-lube)
    Final drive
    Guideline

    Non O-ring chains on old machines: remove, clean, soak in hot chain grease or lube, refit with the master link clip closed end leading.

Every 1,500 mi or 12 months

1 item
  • Check and adjust valve clearances
    Engine
    Guideline

Every 2,000 mi or 12 months

4 items
  • Inspect hand pump, check valves and drip-feed sight glass
    Engine
    Guideline
  • Change gearbox oil
    Primary and gearbox
    Guideline
  • Check / adjust primary chain
    Primary and gearbox
    Guideline
  • Inspect leaf spring fork: leaves, shackles, bushes
    Front end
    Guideline

Every 3,000 mi or 12 months

13 items
  • Check engine mounting bolts and plates
    Engine
    Guideline
  • Check throttle cable(s) free play and return
    Fuel and air
    Guideline
  • Clean fuel tap filter / sediment bowl
    Fuel and air
    Guideline
  • Check / set ignition timing
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline
  • Clean and gap contact breaker points, oil cam felt
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline
  • Adjust clutch pushrod / clutch adjuster
    Primary and gearbox
    Guideline
  • Check chain guard, chain oiler (if fitted), rear chain case
    Final drive
    Guideline
  • Inspect chain and sprockets for wear (measure stretch)
    Final drive
    Guideline
  • Check steering damper (friction or hydraulic)
    Front end
    Guideline
  • Check steering head bearing adjustment
    Front end
    Guideline
  • Check footrests, pegs, rear brake and gear lever pivots
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline
  • Grease and check center / side stand and springs
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline
  • Check wheel bearings for play
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline

Every 4,000 mi or 12 months

2 items
  • Replace spark plugs
    Engine
    Guideline
  • Lubricate brake cam spindles, check linings and drums
    Brakes
    Guideline

Every 4,000 mi or 2 years

1 item
  • Decarbonize head, grind / lap valves (top-end decoke)
    Engine
    Guideline

    Period practice. Leaded-era valve seats may need hardened seats for unleaded fuel.

Every 5,000 mi or 2 years

1 item
  • Check cylinder head bolt torque
    Engine
    Guideline

    Air-cooled iron and alloy engines can lose head bolt tension; follow your manual's sequence and whether it is done hot or cold.

Every 6,000 mi or 12 months

2 items
  • Clean carburetor float bowl(s), check float level and jets
    Fuel and air
    Guideline

    Ethanol fuel varnishes old carbs quickly in storage.

  • Lubricate speedometer / tachometer cables, check drive
    Controls and cables
    Guideline

    A dry speedo cable whips the needle and eventually kills the instrument.

Every 6,000 mi or 2 years

4 items
  • Check engine breather and oil return
    Engine
    Guideline
  • Lubricate and check automatic advance unit
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline
  • Magneto: clean slip ring and pickup brush, check HT lead
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline
  • Repack / replace wheel bearings
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline

    Cup-and-cone and taper roller hubs need periodic repacking and adjustment.

Every 10,000 mi or 2 years

1 item
  • Compression test (or leak-down)
    Engine
    Guideline

Every 10,000 mi or 3 years

1 item
  • Repack / replace steering head bearings
    Front end
    Guideline

    Many old machines use loose balls in cups and cones. Taper roller conversions are common.

Every 10,000 mi

1 item
  • Replace chain and sprockets (wear based)
    Final drive
    Guideline

Every 12,000 mi or 3 years

1 item
  • Replace points and condenser
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline

Every 15,000 mi or 5 years

1 item
  • Inspect clutch plates and springs
    Primary and gearbox
    Guideline

Every 15,000 mi

1 item
  • Replace brake linings / skim drums (wear based)
    Brakes
    Guideline

Every 25,000 mi or 10 years

1 item
  • Magneto overhaul / re-magnetize, replace capacitor
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline

    Weak spark when hot is the classic symptom. Old capacitors fail with age, not miles.

Every 12 months

1 item
  • Check speedometer / odometer against a known distance
    Controls and cables
    Guideline

    Old speedos drift with tire size and drive wear. Use phone GPS over a measured 10 miles / km.

Every 2 years

3 items
  • Inspect fuel tank for rust, sealer failure, leaks
    Fuel and air
    Guideline
  • Inspect wiring, bullet connectors and ground points
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline
  • Inspect frame, welds and lugs for cracks
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline

Every 4 years

1 item
  • Replace fuel lines
    Fuel and air
    Guideline

    Old rubber and modern ethanol fuel do not mix well.

Every 6 years

2 items
  • Replace inner tubes and rim tape with tires
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline
  • Replace tires on age (regardless of tread)
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline

Guideline lines: Intervals here are general guidelines for the machine's era and layout, compiled for this app. They are not factory manual figures. Check your workshop manual, and edit any interval in the bike's Schedule tab.

Keep up with this schedule on your phone

Add the bike in the app and this chart loads itself, ready to log against and edit.

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Other 1916 Indian models

All 1916 Indian
1915-1916
B (684 cc)
Guideline