Aero Indian Ranger Custom - help?

[brokenglass]

In light of my vanson raid not quite working out I've been back to the drawing (photoshop) board for a cross zip.

The only real issue I have with the raid is that it's a bit too long in the arms and, more troublesome for me, the body. The length would be less problematic if I didn't intend to ride a motorcycle, but because that's the main purpose for the jacket, it won't work out. Wearing the jacket zipped closed while sitting isn't comfortable for me.

Some 8 or 9 years ago I had a thrift find jacket that was pretty beat but I loved. Holes in the liner, half the zippers didn't work or have pulls...but the fit... I moved around quite a bit and it was lost at some point but I keep thinking about how much I liked the fit. Short in the body, wide enough in the shoulders with a good taper to the waist. I found I really liked having the snaps on the lapel but not the collar This is one of the better photos I have of me wearing it.




After a silly amount of hours looking at the internet (mostly here) I landed on the Aero Indian Ranger for a new jacket that seems close in fit, is within budget, and hopefully a maker that will accommodate my particularities.

This is the jacket in cmxl, lifted from the internet


Several days of thinkering and this is where I'm at.



Aero Indian Ranger photoshopped with the following mods
lochcarron burns check lining
removable mutton collar (maybe have this made locally with buttons rather than snaps)
dull brass hardware ( didn't do the buckles or snaps, maybe leave them mixed)
delete snap pocket & epaulets
all zip pockets double welted
sleeve zips moved to back of arm

I haven't made up my mind about skin but am leaning towards blacked brown vicenza (you've see this & this right?) or tobacco badalassi though I haven't ruled out any skin, everything is on the table. Brown cmxl is probably closest to my thrift jacket though it's hard to tell, everyone's photos were heavily filtered ~10 years ago. I'm not concerned with staying extremely period correct, more after the aforementioned fit with paired down details. Looking for a 3 season jacket for northern california riding.

Would love to hear what you all think regarding the jacket choice, changes proposed, skin selection etc... and maybe in a couple months I can post the results.

*For further reference, a jacket that fits me very well though with not great range of motion is my Mister Freedom Campus Stallion (sz 36)

 

[Carlos840]

Have you thought about just looking for a new Golden Bear jacket?
They are not that unusual, they come up pretty often on ebay and usually go for good deals.
These two are pretty expensive, but if you look around you should find some in the 250$ range:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/263483483032
https://www.ebay.com/itm/333857600858

Edit: and a really nice size 40:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/274962810207?hash=item40050f855f:g:G4cAAOSwtZJhUAtl

 

[brokenglass]

some other iterations for good measure....

no mutton and deleted collar snaps



rich brown mutton lifted from an rmc buco

 

[brokenglass]

Have you thought about just looking for a new Golden Bear jacket?
They are not that unusual, they come up pretty often on ebay and usually go for good deals.
These two are pretty expensive, but if you look around you should find some in the 250$ range:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/263483483032
https://www.ebay.com/itm/333857600858

Hey ! thanks for weighing in. I like most of the front design (I really don't like the belt loops with no belt, kills all vintage CHPs for me too) and the rear side lacing is a deal breaker.

What else you got!?

 

[Carlos840]

Hey ! thanks for weighing in. I like most of the front design (I really don't like the belt loops with no belt, kills all vintage CHPs for me too) and the rear side lacing is a deal breaker.

What else you got!?

I thought that was actually what your old thrift store jacket was... it had the same coin pocket and looked like a GB to me.
Did your old one not have lacing?

 

[brokenglass]

interesting, I wonder if it did? It's quite possible the eyelets were there but no laces. Certainly didn't have belt loops but the thrift shop was in san franciso.

I've had my eye on this for a while too but I'd rather fork over the difference to have a new jacket and exactly how I want.

 

[Carlos840]

interesting, I wonder if it did? It's quite possible the eyelets were there but no laces. Certainly didn't have belt loops but the thrift shop was in san franciso.

I've had my eye on this for a while too but I'd rather fork over the difference to have a new jacket and exactly how I want.

Golden bear are made in san francisco...
IMO your old jacket was a golden bear.

 

[brokenglass]

Golden bear are made in san francisco...
IMO your old jacket was a golden bear.

Right! That is why I mentioned it. Maybe you're right.

 

[JMax]

Golden bear are made in san francisco...
IMO your old jacket was a golden bear.

That’s what I thought. GB since in SF, maybe JL. Looks like a GB.

 

[Yamahana]

The jacket you’re wearing in the pic sure looks like this Golden Bear exact same pocket flap.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Golden-Bea...2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

 

[brokenglass]

View attachment 367142 The jacket you’re wearing in the pic sure looks like this Golden Bear exact same pocket flap.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Golden-Bea...2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

Totally... It probably is it and I just wasn't remembering the back eyelets. This one with no belt loops has me convinced that is what I had.... if only it was a 36 !

Not feeling the proposed Indian Ranger mods?

 

[Rich22]

I've had similar thoughts to you about tinkering with the Indian Ranger jacket from Aero. I don't like the front snap pocket either, and also would add the piping around the pockets (definitely the handwarmers) but not the main zip. An alternative to that snap/coin pocket would be the Schott style pocket like on Aero's 'motorcycle jacket.'

I prefer silver colours to gold ones on black leather, so would change that. Badalassi black would be good. I don't know if Aero have started offering Badalassi's dark brown yet or not? Looks good but not seen it on a jacket yet.

What design are you contemplating for the back?

 

[Rich22]

This is the coin pocket design I prefer, as seen on Aero's Motorcycle Jacket. Less obtrusive.

 

[Aloysius]

@brokenglass I expect Thurston Bros could set this up for you easily.

Though you need to specify that you want the Indian Ranger cut (if you do) as opposed to the Ridley (their in-house slim Aero motorcycle jacket) with these details.

I'm having them do a very similar jacket for me, complete with the detachable mouton.

 

[Bfd70]

The rangers i’ve seen around these parts are short and wide up top. I think they favor a particular body type.

 

[oneterrifichog]

Hi Broken Glass:

A couple of things about the Indian Jacket. I owned one for awhile but sent it on it's way more because I was not V Shaped enough for the jacket. Be aware that the Indian has a "throat latch" on the top collar which may prove an issue for the removable collar. ( Personally I would have Aero remove the "throat latch" anyway as it really affects the lay of the collar). Secondly the rear "handwarmer pocket" does not have a pocket bag which I found really disconcerting. Also it only has one pocket on the rear as opposed to the J-23 Buco which is canon for the Indian jacket so that's cool but I would ask to put in a pocket bag even though it does not conform to the original Indian.

 

[Rich22]

Hi Broken Glass:

A couple of things about the Indian Jacket. I owned one for awhile but sent it on it's way more because I was not V Shaped enough for the jacket. Be aware that the Indian has a "throat latch" on the top collar which may prove an issue for the removable collar. ( Personally I would have Aero remove the "throat latch" anyway as it really affects the lay of the collar). Secondly the rear "handwarmer pocket" does not have a pocket bag which I found really disconcerting. Also it only has one pocket on the rear as opposed to the J-23 Buco which is canon for the Indian jacket so that's cool but I would ask to put in a pocket bag even though it does not conform to the original Indian.

I'd personally delete the bagless pillion pocket. The shape of the jacket is worth noting- very V shaped. You could potentially add IR features to the Ridley?

 

[brokenglass]

I've had similar thoughts to you about tinkering with the Indian Ranger jacket from Aero. I don't like the front snap pocket either, and also would add the piping around the pockets (definitely the handwarmers) but not the main zip. An alternative to that snap pocket would be the Schott style pocket like on Aero's 'motorcycle jacket.'

I prefer silver colours to gold ones on black leather, so would change that. Badalassi black would be good. I don't know if Aero have started offering Badalassi's dark brown yet or not? Looks good but not seen it on a jacket yet.

What design are you contemplating for the back?

Dark brown Badalassi sounds perfect actually, I'll have to inquire.

I like the jacket design / fit overall from what I can tell, I just would prefer a little less going on. I won't use the coin pocket so away it goes. Same goes for the epaulets, they don't add anything so to me they're superfluous. The 3 outside + single interior I'm certain I'll use.

I found this small res image that was labeled as an aero Indian Ranger, just a much older iteration. Has some of the elements we like



The back design is actually part of why I chose this model, to me it's perfect. I like that the belt is attached in the side seams and not wrap around. I like the 1 piece back and action/bi swing shoulders.

@brokenglass I expect Thurston Bros could set this up for you easily.

Though you need to specify that you want the Indian Ranger cut (if you do) as opposed to the Ridley (their in-house slim Aero motorcycle jacket) with these details.

I'm having them do a very similar jacket for me, complete with the detachable mouton.

Thanks for the tips. I have thought to contact them I just wanted to get all my thoughts in order prior to be as easy a customer as I can be. For sure worth getting one of their stock try-ons if available. What are the details on your jacket?

The rangers i’ve seen around these parts are short and wide up top. I think they favor a particular body type.

I believe that's what I'm after. I'm pretty thin (~5'7" / 135lbs) but I would rather have that old v shape

Hi Broken Glass:

A couple of things about the Indian Jacket. I owned one for awhile but sent it on it's way more because I was not V Shaped enough for the jacket. Be aware that the Indian has a "throat latch" on the top collar which may prove an issue for the removable collar. ( Personally I would have Aero remove the "throat latch" anyway as it really affects the lay of the collar). Secondly the rear "handwarmer pocket" does not have a pocket bag which I found really disconcerting. Also it only has one pocket on the rear as opposed to the J-23 Buco which is canon for the Indian jacket so that's cool but I would ask to put in a pocket bag even though it does not conform to the original Indian.

Thanks for weighing in. I was thinking I'd like the throat latch but you're likely right and the trade offs might not be worth it. The rear/pillion handwarmer pocket I hadn't thought too much about, but it seems un necessary. I don't foresee using it and as I mention, not too concerned with being period or repro correct.

 

[Aloysius]

Dark brown Badalassi sounds perfect actually, I'll have to inquire.

Badalassi (especially the modified version Aero uses) is amazing.

The back design is actually part of why I chose this model, to me it's perfect. I like that the belt is attached in the side seams and not wrap around. I like the 1 piece back and action/bi swing shoulders.



Thanks for the tips. I have thought to contact them I just wanted to get all my thoughts in order prior to be as easy a customer as I can be. For sure worth getting one of their stock try-ons if available. What are the details on your jacket?
I believe that's what I'm after. I'm pretty thin (~5'7" / 135lbs) but I would rather have that old v shape

I actually messed up a bit in my order process (initially) and didn't realize I was getting in line for a Ridley Indian Ranger rather than the full repro V-shaped design, however I spoke to Carrie from Thurston on the phone and I'm pretty happy with the Ridley version; from how she described it, it seems like the sharp V works much better for people with larger chests with a big drop. I have a 40" chest, which doesn't suit it that well. I was also quite pleased to hear from Carrie that the Ridley pattern has a high armhole, which is pretty essential for easy movement.

I'd recommend emailing her about setting a time to talk through which cut, first. It'll help a ton, and she knows everything.

I went with Vicenza leather, the back design you like (bi-swing shoulders and one piece), the side attached belt, Indian Ranger style brass zips, detachable mouton collar with throat latch.

Thanks for weighing in. I was thinking I'd like the throat latch but you're likely right and the trade offs might not be worth it. The rear/pillion handwarmer pocket I hadn't thought too much about, but it seems un necessary. I don't foresee using it and as I mention, not too concerned with being period or repro correct.

There isn't a trade off with the throat latch, except maybe with a very heavy leather. Tons of mouton-collared jackets have throat latches, most famously US Navy flight jackets.

 

[Rich22]

Some traditional V shaped motorcycle jackets not only support the V shape from chest to waist, but additionally have very wide shoulders, which can cause the shoulder seam to slope off the edge for many people, which some like more than others.

I'm not as big as a was a few years ago, but have a 10" drop from chest to waist- Aero previously told me that the bottom half of the jacket can have a different size to the top half (eg 46 top half/44 bottom) but I don't know if that rings true for all styles.