Indian Ranger

The Indian Ranger is possibly the finest example of a Motorcycle jacket ever made. We’ve had an original in our archives for many years and last month we were sent another rare original from a collector for a full restoration. This gave our design team the perfect opportunity to do a comprehensive fine tuning of our replica of the 1947 Indian Ranger alongside our original and the extensive renovation. We’ve always felt that the Indian Ranger was the best of all the motorcycle jackets, yes, even better than our King Of The Road.

We were aware of a few small variations between the early Ranger and Indian's 1953 version. In our opinion the early version has the better detailing so we have replicated the original early "Ranger" jacket to the finest detail even to the point of reproducing the odd mix of both brass and nickel fastenings. The zippers are as follows: the main zipper is a dull Brass original NOS 1950s Talon zipper. The three pocket zippers are dull Brass Diamond shaped pullers, again the same as the original "Ranger", the sleeve zippers are NOS Boxy Talon for Sleeves and the single pillion “pocket” in the side panel. Studs in the collar, lapels, epaulettes, and ticket pocket are nickel plated brass as is the belt buckle. It's quite rare to find this mix of Nickel and Brass even back in the 1940s.

The 1947 version has the label placed low on inside front lining close to the bottom of the zipper, a graduated/tapered belt, over 2" wide at the side, gradually narrowing towards the front into a 1 1/2" buckle and an unusual, but practical, inside pocket. Under the collar there is a throat latch with buttons which can either be buttoned back and hidden when not in use, or worn done-up for extra foul weather protection. Another unique feature is the placement of the collar studs right on the point of the lapels and, like originals, the collar tip studs are purely decorative with no male part on jacket body, only the lapel studs attach to body The back has a large one-piece horsehide panel with a bi-swing back in the shoulder area, and there is an extra layer of hide inside the lower back for kidney protection. The cuff too is unusual, the sleeve zip has an open vent with windflap behind the zipper, rather than the more common gusset. This allowed a better flow of cooling air in hot weather yet when zipped up was as effective as the gusset style closure.

Obviously, like the jackets made between 1947-1953, we use only the very finest Front Quarter Horsehide, we can offer US tanned Horsehide but we feel our Vicenza Horsehide is nearer to the two originals we’ve been working with, it’s exactly the same weight and type as used on the original "Ranger". Standard lining is a Buffalo Check in Red & Black with Black Cotton Drill sleeve lining. That said, the one we had in for repair was originally lined in a petrol blue quilted lining which we can offer as an option. We feel Aero’s version is every bit as good as the Indian originals from the 1940's/50.