Original Indian Motorcycle Jackets

Yamahana · Oct 10, 2021

Antique Indian Motocycles said:
My Indian Ranger is the 1948 DeLuxe model. It has nickelled Crown spring zippers at the sleeves. It doesn't hang off, the spring holds it back. Good stuff.
Pocket zippers are brass Conmar and main was brass Talon. I replaced it because it was crocked and too short.

WOW! Those zips are so cool! Is the throat latch design on your Indian similar to the Fidelity throat latch?

Antique Indian Motocycles · Oct 10, 2021

Yamahana said:
WOW! Those zips are so cool! Is the throat latch design on your Indian similar to the Fidelity throat latch?

The troat latch is a snap on.

Antique Indian Motocycles · Oct 10, 2021

Are there other original Indian Ranger jackets out there?

JMax · Oct 10, 2021

Mysteryo is the only member I know with OG IRs. He also has the Fidelity HH version. Probably has every maker’s cross zip style, from every year, with every hardware variation, different hides, and whatever else too.

Antique Indian Motocycles · Oct 10, 2021

JMax said:
Mysteryo is the only member I know with OG IRs. He also has the Fidelity HH version. Probably has every maker’s cross zip style, from every year, with every hardware variation, different hides, and whatever else too.

Thanks, he´s a cool guy. We know each other from insta.

Yamahana · Oct 10, 2021

Antique Indian Motocycles said:
The troat latch is a snap on. View attachment 368204

Definitely not the same as my Fidelity which is a Velcro closure but still I haven’t seen a throat latch feature very often on vintage mass produced motorcycle jackets.

JMax · Oct 10, 2021

Yamahana said:
Definitely not the same as my Fidelity which is a Velcro closure but still I haven’t seen a throat latch feature very often on vintage mass produced motorcycle jackets.

My Sportclad MC/D pocket has one. That’s it for the vintage jackets I own or have owned. Not a snap or velcro, buttoned.

Yamahana · Oct 10, 2021

Just for curiosity/interest sake here’s a Wolf Guidemaster also from Boston Mass

with snap throat latch similar to the Indian but with 3 snap belt similar to the Fidelity.

JMax · Oct 10, 2021

Yamahana said:
Just for curiosity/interest sake here’s a Wolf Guidemaster also from Boston Mass
View attachment 368339 View attachment 368340
with snap throat latch similar to the Indian but with 3 snap belt similar to the Fidelity.

Love this angle of the chest pocket. I’ve been looking for one of these in good condition and fit me for a bit.

Aloysius · Oct 11, 2021

Yamahana said:
Just for curiosity/interest sake here’s a Wolf Guidemaster also from Boston Mass
View attachment 368339 View attachment 368340
with snap throat latch similar to the Indian but with 3 snap belt similar to the Fidelity.

This looks like the later Indian/Fidelity. Look at the off-brand Perfecto front. (I don't think it's an ugly front, actually, but I don't know how else to describe 'Perfecto, but make the chest pocket vertical.)

JMax · Oct 11, 2021

Antique Indian Motocycles said:
Other differences are the open gussets on the sleeves. Pretty unique back then. View attachment 368028

I put on the Sportclad to pick up dinner for the family and it also has the open gussets. Not something I previously noted.

Mysteryo · Oct 12, 2021

Here are pictures of my vintage Fidelity, very similar to the IR. I assume it’s in horsehide, but no indication except the quality of the leather.
No throat latch, no open cuff. Lining is a replacement.

Mysteryo · Oct 12, 2021

And here’s my Indian ranger before refurbishment by Aeroleather.
It’s a rare size 44/46 (according to measurements)
Very similar to the fidelity, what makes me think they are both coming from the same factory at the time.
You also can notice traces of the original lining: quilted nylon! I chose a red plaid checked for refurbishment.

Antique Indian Motocycles · Oct 12, 2021

Super cool! Now this is almost a twin...Do you know any other IR´s out there?

Antique Indian Motocycles · Oct 12, 2021

Mysteryo said:
And here’s my Indian ranger before refurbishment by Aeroleather.
It’s a rare size 44/46 (according to measurements)
Very similar to the fidelity, what makes me think they are both coming from the same factory at the time.
You also can notice traces of the original lining: quilted nylon! I chose a red plaid checked for refurbishment.

Absolutly love it!
Does your IR have a tag inside the pillion pocket?
Mine has. It says 4851. Could be year and week of production.

Mysteryo · Oct 12, 2021

here's a link to a group on facebook to another 40's IR
https://www.facebook.com/groups/vintageleatherjackets/permalink/10153628408305669/

Mysteryo · Oct 12, 2021

Here’s the tag in my Rangers zipper pocket:

JMax · Oct 12, 2021

Antique Indian Motocycles said:
Super cool! Now this is almost a twin...Do you know any other IR´s out there?

This is the version of the Indian I would mentally compare the Fidelity to. Your version was cool to see.

tmitchell59 · Oct 12, 2021

Post war Talon, c.1946

f34cdbf7-30b0-4645-8fd6-b291a21b9dfb-jpeg.368617

Antique Indian Motocycles · Oct 24, 2021

Detail of my 1948 Indian Ranger

Original Indian Motorcycle Jackets

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