Original Indian Motorcycle Jackets

[Edward]

It would be fascinating to know what deals were made originally re rights to the design and such. This is a vague area, really, as copyright law typically does not protect clothing designs, the legal theory being clothes are a matter of utility... There's a limited design right and the copyright in the *patterns*, but very little that can actually be done otherwise. Much of it will come down to agreement. When Aero were contracted to do those repros for Levis back in the 90s, part of the deal was that once Levis were done with that collection, Aero would retain the rights to those designs and could put them out in their own right at a later stage, which I believe has since been done to some extent with at least one of them (I think that was the genesis of the Speedster?).

Fidelity throat latch
View attachment 368047 View attachment 368048

Notably early use of velcro on a civilian jacket.

Is there a thread on pre war motorcycle riding gear ? Can´t find stuff like breeches, kidney belts or riding hats.....
Could start on this topic soon....what do you think?

Definitely a good idea, I don't think we have one directly on that that would be revivable(? Worth a Google).

Riding hats in particular are an interesting curio frozen in time with no obvious evolutionary replacement given that they have (across much of the world, anyhow) given way to a mix of the broad hatless trend and helmet laws.

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.

Very much rare birdies in MC jackets in my experience too.

 

[Antique Indian Motocycles]

Riding hats in particular are an interesting curio frozen in time with no obvious evolutionary replacement given that they have (across much of the world, anyhow) given way to a mix of the broad hatless trend and helmet laws.

Riding hats are curious indeed. See post in the thread " Ride in style". How do I link a thread?

 

[Edward]

Riding hats are curious indeed. See post in the thread " Ride in style". How do I link a thread?

Two options:

1] Just C&P the html for the thread, thus:

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...w-your-vintage-motorcycle-riding-gear.105559/

2] Type whatever text you want, highlight it, then press the little icon in the top toolbar of the reply box to link it, thus:

Ride in style

The link icon is the one that looks like a little, drunk '8' listing to the side. Seventh icon along, or the first of two in the third 'box' from the left, depending what you count.

 

[Antique Indian Motocycles]

1940s Indian ranger jackets are found very rarely on vintage photos. Here are a few....
First one was taken July 1947 showing a Ranger and a Rangerette, the two other pictures show the steer hide jackets from 1957

.

 

[Antique Indian Motocycles]

There still is a myth on the early version of the INDIAN Ranger sold pre 1948. Now I can blow away that mist and proove the launch of the first INDIAN Ranger jacket!

Completing the timeline of the genuine INDIAN Ranger jackets here is the very beginning.
The "Indian News" issue from May/June 1947 features an ad on "the new Indian Ranger jacket". It is the only printed photo in existance.
This is the earliest version and features all the details such as cuff zippers on top, tappered waist belt, buttened throat latch and faux collar snaps. There was no female version until 1948.
This earliest version is a one year only production. Here are pictures of the "Indian News" and the 1947 & 1948 versions.
For more information , read my older posts.
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/original-indian-motorcycle-jackets.105361/post-2853961

 

[58panheadfan]

There still is a myth on the early version of the INDIAN Ranger sold pre 1948. Now I can blow away that mist and proove the launch of the first INDIAN Ranger jacket!

Completing the timeline of the genuine INDIAN Ranger jackets here is the very beginning.
The "Indian News" issue from May/June 1947 features an ad on "the new Indian Ranger jacket". It is the only printed photo in existance.
This is the earliest version and features all the details such as cuff zippers on top, tappered waist belt, buttened throat latch and faux collar snaps. There was no female version until 1948.
This earliest version is a one year only production. Here are pictures of the "Indian News" and the 1947 & 1948 versions.
For more information , read my older posts.
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/original-indian-motorcycle-jackets.105361/post-2853961

Niiice Jackets! It seems the pictured Jacket in the add from may/june 1947 had a different lining... or maybe it's just the picture resolution.

 

[Antique Indian Motocycles]

Niiice Jackets! It seems the pictured Jacket in the add from may/june 1947 had a different lining... or maybe it's just the picture resolution.

Thank you. There were different linings. Checkered and tartan woolen lining. You find an Indian Ranger with tartan lining in Rin Tanakas bible.

 

[tmitchell59]

Similar black and white lining, no pics of jacket.

I also have pics of a MC jacket with this lining, labeled, Windy City.

That lining caught my eye, dont know any significance.

I will try and find the Windy jacket pics.

 

[Antique Indian Motocycles]

Similar black and white lining, no pics of jacket.

I also have pics of a MC jacket with this lining, labeled, Windy City.

That lining caught my eye, dont know any significance.

I will try and find the Windy jacket pics.

View attachment 539161

Looks like this wool plaid lining was popular back then. You find it in late 40s jackets in different colors.

 

[blm14]

there's what looks like a japanese repro of a stadium jacket?

Indian Motorcycle Leather Stadium Jacket Size 42 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Indian Motorcycle Leather Stadium Jacket Size 42 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

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[Aloysius]

there's what looks like a japanese repro of a stadium jacket?

http://[URL]https://www.ebay.com/it...yL/VkRSLpCcdS0mOHyFvLClQM=|tkp:Bk9SR-i5uLWXYw

[/URL]

Not quite related. Toyo Enterprises (parent company of Sugar Cane and Buzz Rickson’s) has a license to produce Indian Motorcycle merchandise. Occasionally these will be high end products but for the most part it’s a decent quality general market brand. Better quality than the merchandise sold in the West but it’s not a repro brand.