Ride in Style - Show your vintage motorcycle riding gear

[Antique Indian Motocycles]

As we started to talk about kidney belts, or riding belts, as they were called also, let’s put a light onto that one I am wearing on this photos.

 

[Antique Indian Motocycles]

Those belts were customized and adorned to the owners pleasure mostly. In the mid 1930s motorcycle companies and aftermarkets took their chance to launch decorated belts.
Here you see the “Indian head” chain leather belt, offered by the Indian Motocycle Co. in 1948. This belt and the “Indian Ranger” leather jacket are the most iconic assessors that were offered by Indian now and then.
It´s very comfy to wear because of the chain leather design and still very soft.
It hides a secret,too........
Enjoy the photos.

 

[41eiffel]

little ride last weekend ! great thread

 

[jonbuilder]

definitely stylish I found the 40s gloves with the fine stitching around individual fingers gave me great deterity

 

[navetsea]

very striking look, both bike and the riding gear and you pull them off naturally, it is a challenging thread to follow up with.

 

[Antique Indian Motocycles]

little ride last weekend ! great thread

View attachment 370996

Salut! Great to see your post. Please tell us some details on your riding gear, if you want.....

 

[Antique Indian Motocycles]

very striking look, both bike and the riding gear and you pull them off naturally, it is a challenging thread to follow up with.

Thank you. It´s all about fun with vintage riding gear. Please do not take any pictures as a score...or a challenge.

 

[Edward]

Those belts were customized and adorned to the owners pleasure mostly. In the mid 1930s motorcycle companies and aftermarkets took their chance to launch decorated belts.
Here you see the “Indian head” chain leather belt, offered by the Indian Motocycle Co. in 1948. This belt and the “Indian Ranger” leather jacket are the most iconic assessors that were offered by Indian now and then.
It´s very comfy to wear because of the chain leather design and still very soft.
It hides a secret,too........
Enjoy the photos.




View attachment 370959 View attachment 370960 View attachment 370961 View attachment 370962

Great looking belt! Are the brown sections in the 'chain' shape where black dye has worn off over time, or were they part of the original design? (Looks uniform enough both sides it can be the latter). I've seen a few kidney belts with that style of construction, as distinct from single pieces of leather the full width of the belt. Clearly a much more complicated construction process, but looks fantastic and I can completely see how it would play to comfort. Lovely piece. The idea of the fluorescent paint being used is an interesting concept - I wonder was the intent purely cosmetic, or are we looking at an early example of visibility as safety factor?

 

[Antique Indian Motocycles]

Great looking belt!
I wonder was the intent purely cosmetic, or are we looking at an early example of visibility as safety factor?

The chain belt is made of brown and black leather pieces. I have belts with 3 different patterns. Will show how it was tooled.

The fluorescent color was both, I think. This belt model is the only one known with this feature. Unfortunately it doesn´t shine at night anymore…paint is too old.
Buco had reflecting ornaments on both kidney belts and saddle bags.

Indian also launched a leather jacket with reflecting collar and bi-swings in 1959.

 

[Edward]

The chain belt is made of brown and black leather pieces. I have belts with 3 different patterns. Will show how it was tooled.

The fluorescent color was both, I think. This belt model is the only one known with this feature. Unfortunately it doesn´t shine at night anymore…paint is too old.
Buco had reflecting ornaments on both kidney belts and saddle bags.

Indian also launched a leather jacket with reflecting collar and bi-swings in 1959.

You know, it strikes me now that the plastic 'jewels' commonly used to decorate jackets back then would have served that function too.... Interesting, not something I'd thought about before beyond the aesthetics.

 

[41eiffel]

Salut! Great to see your post. Please tell us some details on your riding gear, if you want.....

Hello
I’m wearing my new grizzly from Mister freedom, bought on this forum ! And Larry is wearing a b2 from buzz !
Nice belt, I have a few will post a pic !

 

[41eiffel]

Some Harley, Indian, buco and beck !

 

[Bfd70]

Great hobby. I’d really to get into it. I love bikes but I’m a terrible mechanic. I’m guessing that bike requires regular love.

 

[41eiffel]

Great hobby. I’d really to get into it. I love bikes but I’m a terrible mechanic. I’m guessing that bike requires regular love.

don't !! it's a disease ... and then you'll never have enough money to buy drugs !

 

[Bfd70]

I won’t let that happen!
Plus, i mean, i’m a REALLY bad mechanic. Every time I pick up a screwdriver the 4 nearest screw heads strip themselves. I’ll stick with modern bikes and continue to imagine I’m riding vintage.

 

[Antique Indian Motocycles]

Some Harley, Indian, buco and beck ! View attachment 371072

WOW! Let's say you got it all. Impressive collection. Love the customized Indian DeLuxe and HD Rhino.

 

[Bfd70]

Is the purpose to compensate for the lack of suspension?

 

[Antique Indian Motocycles]

Correct 40s outfit and enjoying her Chief. Any guess on that jacket?

 

[EAC]

Correct 40s outfit and enjoying her Chief. Any guess on that jacket?

View attachment 371807

Looks like an aviator style jacket (no collar studs, no belt loops or attached belt, buttoned instead of zippered cuffs, likely a half-belt back); it could be a Block Bilt:

 

[Antique Indian Motocycles]

Looks like an aviator style jacket (no collar studs, no belt loops or attached belt, buttoned instead of zippered cuffs, likely a half-belt back); it could be a Block Bilt:

I guess , you nailed it!