Tool Talk

Classic Auto and Motorcycle Tools => Classic Auto and Motorcycle Tools => Topic started by: Catch22! on January 18, 2017, 09:18:50 PM

Title: Dating Indian Motocycle wrench
Post by: Catch22! on January 18, 2017, 09:18:50 PM
Was going through some tools I got from an uncle and came across this Indian Motocycle wrench.  I know Indian was produced between 1901 to 1953, but unsure if they put the name Indian Motocycle on tools in the earlier days.

Anyone have information that might date this?
Title: Re: Dating Indian Motocycle wrench
Post by: Catch22! on January 18, 2017, 09:25:45 PM
Also, have not found any other markings on the wrench.
Title: Re: Dating Indian Motocycle wrench
Post by: Northwoods on January 18, 2017, 09:35:20 PM
Wikipedia shows that name used between 1928--1953.
Title: Re: Dating Indian Motocycle wrench
Post by: oldgoaly on January 18, 2017, 11:50:33 PM
Royal Enfield bought the name and used for a few years. They supplied engines from 1948-53 for the "verticle" twins, then took over the name building the complete line in England.
I've got a 1937 Indian tool catalog can you give me the opening sizes.  pages are to big to post. I don't see names of the wrenches in the catalog. Might even have a couple... 4 or 5 various Indians around here.
Title: Re: Dating Indian Motocycle wrench
Post by: Nasutushenri on January 19, 2017, 12:31:55 PM
I have another one.

1/2 x 11/16
5/16 x 3/8 x 11/16

Henri

Title: Re: Dating Indian Motocycle wrench
Post by: oldgoaly on January 19, 2017, 02:51:24 PM
I tried cropping the page, but too small, so grabbed it important parts and made two pics. Hopefully this will work.
Title: Re: Dating Indian Motocycle wrench
Post by: Catch22! on January 20, 2017, 03:58:23 PM
Nasutushenri:  Looks like your top one is the same one (but a lot nicer).   I did see a set on Ebay that look the same, but only say "Indian" on them.

I see another on ebay that looks like mine.  $26.80  with shipping.  http://www.ebay.com/itm/indian-motorcycle-early-antique-wrench-/201787250647?hash=item2efb7517d7:g:5EIAAOSw44BYf5WC&vxp=mtr
Title: Re: Dating Indian Motocycle wrench
Post by: Nasutushenri on January 21, 2017, 12:07:24 PM
Catch22!: That's quite a price ! I bought them more than twenty-five years ago very cheap on the Amsterdam fleamarket. Only a couple of Dutch guilders I think. No idea how old they are.

Henri
Title: Re: Dating Indian Motocycle wrench
Post by: Catch22! on January 22, 2017, 12:40:35 AM
Henri.  I was thinking that was cheap.  I have a 1950 MG TD and for me to build an original took kit would run $300+ and that would not include the jack, just a few end wrenches and adjustable wrench and a couple screwdrivers.
Title: Re: Dating Indian Motocycle wrench
Post by: mikeswrenches on January 24, 2017, 05:13:25 AM
At the November Flywheelers show, I sold one of the adjustables that was made by Wakefield to a guy who seemed knowledgeable about Indian motorcycle's. It was his contention that motOcycle was used up until early 1930 and then it was changed to motoRcycle.

We got into this discussion because the Wakefield I sold him was marked motOcycle.

I have not verified whether his information was correct or not, so use it with caution.

Mike
Title: Re: Dating Indian Motocycle wrench
Post by: Catch22! on January 24, 2017, 09:48:34 PM
An interesting topic.  Note the wrenches from ebay I posted just say "Indian".  I will do some checking.